Banyan Group

Ho Kwon Ping, the Founder and Executive Chairman of Banyan Group, is often described as an "accidental hotelier." A former economics journalist for the Far Eastern Economic Review, his leadership style is informed by his background in development economics and a deep sense of social responsibility. Ho’s journey from a critic of the status quo to a global hospitality titan is marked by a philosophy of stewardship rather than mere ownership.

"I am an accidental hotelier. I never thought of planning to do a Banyan Tree. The only thing that I planned to do was that I wanted to create a brand... success derives at the confluence of hard work and luck."

His leadership has been recognized globally with numerous accolades, including the HICAP Lifetime Achievement Award and the Forbes India Climate Warrior Award. Beyond Banyan Group, Ho’s influence extends to higher education as the founding Chairman of Singapore Management University (SMU), where he has spent over two decades shaping the next generation of Asian leaders. His approach to 'Leadership for Good' is defined by resilience, innovation, and a commitment to leaving a legacy that benefits the human and physical environment.

Claire Chiang is the Co-founder and Senior Vice President of Banyan Group, where she has played a pivotal role in the Group’s development since its inception. She pioneered Banyan Gallery, the Group’s retail business, and currently serves as Chairperson of China Business Development. In this capacity, she focuses on the acquisition of new management contracts and the strategic expansion of the Group’s presence in the Chinese market. She also oversees key issues relating to organisational and human capital capability, and provides leadership on the Group’s corporate social responsibility agenda.

Claire is also Chairperson of the Banyan Tree Global Foundation, Banyan Academy, and SILK: Step-Up International Laguna Kindergarten. Through these roles, she leads the Group’s efforts in community development, education, and sustainability, ensuring that social impact is meaningfully embedded across its operations. As Global Head of Learning and Development, she plays a key role in strengthening the Group’s internal capabilities and fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

Claire is married to Ho KwonPing, Founder and Executive Chairman of Banyan Group. Together, they received the Hospitality Lifetime Achievement Award at the China Hotel Investment Summit in 2009. A long-time advocate for social and community issues, Claire has received multiple national accolades, including the Public Service Medal (PBM) in 2008 and the Public Service Star (BBM) in 2014. She also served as a Justice of the Peace from 2008 to 2023 and was a Nominated Member of Parliament in Singapore for two terms, from 1997 to 2001.

In 1995, Claire was among the first two women admitted to the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI). Over the past four decades, she has held numerous leadership appointments, including directorships with the Mandai Park Holdings, and Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Fund. Her past appointments also include board roles with Denmark-based ISS A/S and Switzerland-based Dufry AG, as well as advisory positions with Guilin Tourism University, and the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She currently serves as Chair of the Shirin Fozdar Programme at Singapore Management University and as Chairperson of the Translation and Interpretation Advisory Committee at the School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences, Singapore University of Social Sciences.

Claire’s contributions to the arts, sustainability, and women’s empowerment have earned her wide recognition. She was named Singapore’s Woman of the Year in 1998, and in 2017, was honoured as a Friend of the Arts by the National Arts Council and received the Supernova award at the inaugural Women Entrepreneur Awards. In 2018, she was inducted into the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame by the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations and received the Asia’s Top Sustainability Superwomen Award for her influential leadership in advancing sustainability within the Group and across the broader community. She is also the co-author of Stepping Out: The Making of Chinese Entrepreneurs, an award-winning book translated into Chinese and Japanese and later adapted into a television series.