Students will visit the Hong Kong Office of CBRE to hear different stories and gain insights into the operations within the field of human resources and commercial real estate services.

Mr. Benny Cheung
As a BSocSc graduate, Benny initially aspired to work in the government, with a long-term goal of becoming the Head of the Social Welfare Department to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the underprivileged. However, after failing to secure a position through the Administrative Officer (AO) interview process in the third round, Benny reassessed his career goals and successfully transitioned to a disciplinary force. Although this role was not as fulfilling and challenging as he had envisioned, it ultimately led him to pivot to the private sector, where he joined a local real estate firm and later transitioned to CBRE as a broker.

In his current role, his primary performance indicator is business development, both for himself and his team of junior brokers. To differentiate ourselves in a competitive market where pricing is often a key differentiator, he focused on delivering exceptional services and building strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. His experience has taught him the importance of staying adaptable, humble, and open to learning from others, including his own mistakes.

Benny is going to help students to gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges within the real estate industry. He will also share his experiences and job role in this sector.

Mr. Ryan Mak
Upon graduating in 2015, Ryan entered the real estate industry as an Assistant Property Officer with a local developer, where he was responsible for managing leasing activities. In 2017, he leveraged a personal connection to transition to Cushman & Wakefield, where he advised office tenants in Hong Kong on revenue-driven roles. After gaining four years of experience in office leasing advisory, he joined CBRE in 2021 to collaborate with Benny and other team members, further advancing his career in the real estate sector.

Over the past decade, he has provided comprehensive real estate services to office tenants, including conducting market overviews, space analyses, premises searches, lease negotiation strategies, financial analyses, and due diligence on lease documentation. His daily responsibilities involve acquiring new clients and maintaining positive relationships with existing ones, driving business growth and ensuring client satisfaction.

Ryan is going to help students to gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges within the real estate industry. He will also share his experiences and job role in this sector.

Mr. Pakson Lau
After graduating in 2006 with a degree in Statistics and a minor in Psychology, Pakson began his career as a Secondary School Teacher, where he discovered a strong passion for education. However, he soon felt the need to explore beyond the classroom and experience the world beyond. In 2009, he pursued further studies in Business Management. This decision marked the beginning of his journey in working in private sectors, which has led him to navigate various industries, including Accounting and Consulting, Telecom, Retail, Construction, and more. Throughout his career, he has focused on Human Resources duties, including People Business Partnering, Learning and Development, Talent Management, and Executive Coaching.

As a seasoned Learning and Development professional with over a decade of experience, he has had the privilege of driving leadership development and succession pipeline initiatives to support organizational growth. Currently, at CBRE, he lead the Talent Management and Development functions for Hong Kong and Taiwan, where he is passionate about developing talent and creating opportunities for individuals to realize their full potential.

Pakson will provide students with a unique perspective on various aspects of talent management and strategies, learning initiatives, and organisational development. Additionally, he will share his HR insights and professional journey.