Benjamin Cha, CEO and Founder, Serakai
Ben founded Serakai in 2023 following a successful 25 year career investing in the built environment in Asia during which time he served as a fiduciary on behalf of regional and global principals, institutions and joint-venture partners. For over two decades he has been involved with the development of institutions for contemporary art in Hong Kong.
Ben has invested across sectors in China (including Hong Kong SAR), Japan, Singapore and Thailand and led successful teams in each of these markets. From 2014 to 2022, Ben served as Chief Executive, Asia for Grosvenor, the privately held UK property company. He led the business to deliver in excess of the shareholder’s risk-adjusted financial return targets and on its purpose for the built environment. Ben was previously a Managing Director and the Head of Global Real Estate, Greater China for UBS Global Asset Management, also serving as co-CEO for UBS/Gemdale, its JV residential fund management business in China. Prior to UBS, Ben was with HKR International, the Hong Kong developer, for a decade serving in various roles and ultimately as Executive Director and Head of HKR Asia Pacific, its overseas investment and development arm and hotel management group. Earlier in his career Ben was a development executive with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
Ben has served on the boards of the M+ museum, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, and the Tai Kwun Center for Heritage and Arts, serving as Chair of its Programming Committee, as well as on the Asia Pacific Acquisitions Committee for Tate and the Asia Council for the Serpentine Galleries. He is currently Co-chair for the Asia Art Archive and is a Global Governing Trustee and Board Member for the Urban Land Institute.
Ben has an MBA from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University and a BA in International Politics and Economics from Middlebury College.
Serakai is a forward-thinking property group, established in 2023. Led by a distinctive philosophy of placemaking, we are dedicated to investing in, developing, and managing vibrant places across Asia.
We are keenly informed by contemporary art and culture and have a deep understanding of shifting patterns in social, cultural and intellectual currents. These insights enable us to anticipate and discern changes in consumer sensibilities, trends in discretionary retail, and the ingredients required to create successful destinations.
Serakai Capital invests in retail properties in key gateway cities in Asia, including Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok, and beyond. Serakai Salons & Projects supports thought leadership, innovative exhibitions, urban interventions, and curated pop-ups.
The Serakai board and team are experienced across multiple disciplines and have created successful landmark retail, mixed- use, and cultural destinations.
Serakai is committed to improving the built environment and enhancing life and social sustainability in the cities we are proud to call home.
Past Mingtiandi Events
Hong Kong Forum 2024 — Keynote Interview with Serakai
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