Mr Andreas Hofer has enjoyed an illustrious career in the hospitality industry in Hong Kong and worldwide. In 1966, he joined the Mandarin Oriental Hotel’s Food and Beverage Department, where his talents and exceptional performance quickly caught the eye of the hotel management. After several promotions, he rose to the position of General Manager in 1975 and served in this key position until 1982. During his tenure, the Mandarin Oriental was named the Best Hotel in Asia and the Second Best Hotel in the World. Mr Hofer was a Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Hong Kong Hotels Association from 1977 to 1980. In 1982, he joined the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s Head Office based in Singapore. Later he became the group’s Vice President, South East Asia. In 1987, he was appointed by The Wharf (Holdings) Limited in Hong Kong as President of the newly formed Marco Polo International Hotel Group. In 1990, he launched his own private hotel consulting and investment business, Hyde Park Land and Hospitality Management Ltd based in Vancouver, Canada. In 1995, Mr Hofer, as Executive Director, became a founding member of Hong Kong-based Lanson Place Hospitality Management Limited, which operates first-class service apartments and hotels in key Asian cities. Its property in Hong Kong, Lanson Place Hotel in Causeway Bay, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, was voted best new Boutique Hotel in Hong Kong in 2007. Mr Hofer is now Vice Chairman of the Lanson Place Group.

In 2005, he generously pledged a bequest of US$1 million for establishing a scholarship scheme in PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management. His kind support for hospitality education will no doubt leave an indelible mark in the history of PolyU.