Lee Hao Ming, an Icon of Change in Singapore

Icons of Change International Awards 2025

Lee Hao Ming
Chief Executive Officer, Louken Group

SDG Focus: Sustainable Development Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Visionary Business Builder and Global Brand Strategist of the Year

In a business climate where disruption is constant and competitive advantage is increasingly shaped by agility, innovation, and cross-border collaboration, Lee Hao Ming has distinguished himself as a leader whose influence extends far beyond the boardroom. As Chief Executive Officer of Louken Group—an award-winning venture builder and brand consultancy established in 2000—he has cultivated a track record of transforming enterprises into internationally recognised brands, while embedding sustainability, purpose, and cultural intelligence into the very DNA of business growth.

Under his stewardship, Louken Group has matured into what he aptly describes as a “possibilities company”—an ecosystem designed to bridge the gap between vision and realisation through its three interconnected pillars: Transform (strategic consultancy and brand evolution), Venture (investment and business acceleration), and Trade (market entry and globalisation). Through this integrated approach, Louken has played an instrumental role in the global expansion of iconic names such as Charles & Keith, Hegen, BreadTalk Group, and Paradise Group—brands now synonymous with innovation, quality, and international appeal.

Hao Ming’s influence, however, is not confined to brand transformation. He actively contributes to advancing future-focused industries as Board Advisor to two groundbreaking companies in the food and biotechnology sectors—ImpacFat, the world’s first cultivated fish fat producer, and Less & Co, an innovator in food waste circularity whose brands CRUST and CROP are pioneering sustainable consumption models. In these advisory roles, he brings strategic clarity, global partnership networks, and fundraising expertise, driving both commercial success and environmental stewardship.

His leadership has also been tested and proven in times of uncertainty. As Managing Partner of Huggs Coffee during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hao Ming led a bold restructuring of the business model, redefined its brand positioning, and forged high-profile partnerships with global players such as Samsung, Amazon, Ant Group, and Mandai Group. In just over two years, Huggs expanded more than fifteen-fold—emerging from the crisis not only resilient but strategically positioned for long-term regional growth.

Earlier in his career, Hao Ming co-founded Artbox Singapore, a lifestyle event that drew more than 700,000 visitors in only six days, and served as Regional Head of Strategy at Invade, where he played a pivotal role in shaping some of Asia’s most engaging large-scale experiential events. These ventures reflect his ability to combine creative vision with operational excellence, crafting experiences that resonate with both local audiences and international markets.

In recognition of his leadership and entrepreneurial achievements, Hao Ming was named to the Prestige 40 Under 40 list in 2017. Yet, his legacy is not measured solely in market share or brand value—it is equally defined by his investment in people. As an active mentor with Mentoring SG and multiple educational institutions, he channels his expertise into nurturing the next generation of innovators, business leaders, and changemakers. His philosophy is simple yet profound: sustainable enterprises are built not only on strategic models but also on empowered, inspired, and capable individuals.

The Icons of Change International Award 2025 proudly honours Lee Hao Ming as Visionary Business Builder and Global Brand Strategist of the Year, in recognition of his pioneering contributions to Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. Through his work, Hao Ming has shown that business growth and social progress are not opposing goals, but complementary forces that, when aligned, have the power to create industries that are innovative, inclusive, and resilient in the face of change.

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