Directors and Senior Managers
John Gregory Lee
Executive Chairman
Greg, born April 1967, is the Executive Chairman of Diamond Wood China. He has fifteen years experience working with new technologies. He has founded and led two software and online services companies in Europe, and a third company in China. Previous to being an entrepreneur, Greg's multinational experience included three years working with Philips Electronics’ Optical Storage components (CD, DVD) businesses in China as worldwide marketing and product director. Prior to this, he worked for three years in Japan as a marketing manager for Yamaha Electronics. Greg has an MBA from the IESE business school, and continues to develop his proficiency in English, Spanish, Japanese, French and Mandarin.
Stan J. French
Chief Executive Officer
Stan, born May 1957, is the CEO of Diamond Wood China. He has twenty eight years experience with global market leading companies in the building products industry. Most recently, Stan was the President of Sika Sarnafil Asia and Head of Asia Pacific for Sarna Polymer Holdings leading two factories in China and sales operations spread across Asia. His career began with Hilti and included general management roles in Hong Kong, Malaysia and China as well as corporate level responsibilities at the company’s global headquarters in Liechtenstein. Stan brings a wide range of knowledge and experience to Diamond Wood including expertise in start-up and turnaround situations backed up by solid top line growth and early profit delivery.
Glyn Thomas
Chief Financial Officer
Glyn, born July 1951, is CFO of Diamond Wood China. He has held senior financial positions with businesses in a range of sectors over the last 25 years, across manufacturing, retailing, media, publishing and financial services. Glyn holds a BScEcon degree in Economics from Cardiff, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales and a Fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers. After qualifying with Peat Marwick Mitchell, his career has included appointments as Director of Corporate Finance for Rothmans International, Director of Financial Operations for Kingfisher, Chief Financial Officer for Thomas Cook and the Director of Finance & Business Affairs at the British Broadcasting Corporation. Prior to assuming his current position, he was Chief Financial Officer of Accsys Technologies. He has combined experience of corporate functions in blue chip multinationals with leading the successful entrepreneurial growth of new business ventures in consumer finance, retail insurance and international trade.
The non-executives comprise:
Lo Chih
Non-Executive Director
Chih, born July 1960, has included experiences in China and across Asia during his career as both an IT entrepreneur, and as senior business manager in multinationals, like Philips, Ericsson, and AT&T. Luke is currently the Managing Director of Blastrac Asia, a China-based manufacturer of equipment for construction contractors, which he established in 2003. The company markets its products throughout China and the Asia Pacific region. Luke studied electrical engineering at the Kaoshuing University of Applied Sciences in Taiwan, and later got his MBA in Michigan. He is fluent in Mandarin and English.
William Paterson-Brown
Non-Executive Director
Willy, born May 1965, is Chairman of Accsys Technologies. He graduated with a B.A. from the University of Durham. He started his career in World Bank/United Nations backed projects in Africa and China. He has been investing in the environmental science sector for the past fifteen years in technology development, commodity trading and consumer product companies and has been involved in the financing of numerous companies at various stages from start up and private equity to public offerings. Willy is also an advisory trustee of a number of international trusts and a director of a number of companies.
Jeremy Perks
Non-Executive Director
Jeremy Perks, born in May 1964, is one of the founders of IWNC China. Jeremy graduated with a LL.B in Law from Manchester University. Jeremy qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young in London, then joined the EY Training Department in Hong Kong before becoming Financial Controller of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union. Jeremy joined IWNC in 1994 and has led the development of the business in Japan and China, providing training and consulting solutions for team, leadership and organization effectiveness.
Doris Yeung
Non-Executive Director
Doris is currently the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of A-Swiss Corporate Services Limited. Doris has over 13 years of client management experience and spent a number of years at several reputable firms, including PricewaterhouseCoopers in Hong Kong and Sydney, and State Street Australia, mainly focusing on international taxation and fund administration. She was educated in Australia and holds a bachelor degree in business, and a master degree in Taxation with University of New South Wales, Australia. She is a member of the CPA Australia, Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and an associate member of the Taxation Institute of Australia. Doris is fluent in English, Cantonese and some Mandarin.
Senior Managers
Since the beginning of 2008, Diamond Wood has recruited a commercial team to develop the market, identify specific product applications and establish early sales channels. The China based team now comprises over 30 staff led by a CEO and supported by a team comprising Financial Director, Sales and Marketing executives together with a Factory Director supported by engineering and project staff.
Bob Lu - General Manager, Construction Sales
Bob, born May 1973 and holds a Bachelors degree in English from Shanghai International Studies University. Bob has nearly 7 years experience working in the timber industry, with a series of sales roles with Finnforest Corporation in China developing accounts with domestic retailers, construction companies, landscapers and architects. Bob had national responsibility for enhanced performance wood products, formulating market entry strategies and developing sales channels for new performance wood products. More recently, Bob has developed wood coatings product sales for VMS Chemicals, taking the brand from regional to national level in China. Bob is vice president of the China Wood Preservation Association. Bob is based in Shanghai.
Nelson Hao – General Manager, Manufacturing Sales
Nelson, born January 1963, holds a Bachelors Degree in Steel Rolling Machine Equipment from the Taiyuan Heavy Machinery College. Nelson has over 20 years experience working in China for European and American owned businesses involved in wood flooring, wood furniture, wood adhesive and coatings. Reporting either to CEO or Global Sales Director, Nelson has held responsibility for all aspects of China market development for a range of wood products - devising strategies, developing marketing, sales channels, technical support and leading sales teams. Nelson is based in Shanghai.
Jack Sun – General Manager, Distribution Sales
Jack, born January 1957, holds an Engineering degree from China Maritime College, Taiwan. He has 16 years working experience in the Chinese market, specializing in the fields of sales & marketing, manufacturing, quality & cost control, key customer and company management. His experience is derived from working across a range of different industries, including: machinery, trading, engineering and building materials. Before joining Diamond Wood, he was the General Manager of Component & Application System Division, Wilsonart International (Shanghai). Prior to this, he was: Vice President of an engineering & construction company – Best (Shanghai) A&C Co; Executive Vice President of Arduous Asia Pte., and Executive Vice President of Kong Lin Engineering Co. Ltd. Jack is based in Shanghai.
Wang Jiping –General Manager, Operations
Jiping, born February 1962, holds a PhD in Technical Chemistry from Germany University of Karlsruhe (1991) and a bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering from Zhejiang University (1982). Jiping has 4 years of research experience in Chinese Academy of Science and 18 years of experience working for multinational companies across the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Fine Chemicals Manufacturing and Animal Health sectors. His career has included Production Manager of Shanghai Ciba-Geigy AH factory, Site Director of Novartis AH in Shanghai, General Manager of Rhodia Wuxi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and General Manager of Zhejiang Ruohai Fine Chemicals Co. Ltd. Prior to assuming his current position, he was General Manager of Zhejiang Gold Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Asia Operation Director of CHEMO Group, Spain. Jiping has combined experience of site manufacturing, operation excellence, HSE, GMP/ISO quality system, LEAN in supply chain, purchasing, HR & ADM, project engineering, maintenance and utility. Jiping is based in Nanjing.
Bin Sun – Finance Director
Bin, born January 1969, holds a bachelors degree in Economics from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. Bin has 17 years of experience working for multinationals across the banking, manufacturing, chemical and consumer sectors. His career includes Account Manager of ABN AMRO Bank, Accounting Manager of ICI Swire Paints, Finance & IT Director of Maersk Container Industries, Finance Director of JohnsonDiversey. Prior to assuming his current position, he was China Finance Controller of Ingersoll Rand Industrial & Technology Sector. Bin has combined experience of internal control and governance, green field project implementation (including ERP system and business process) and M&A. Bin is based in Shanghai.
Derek Ting – Marketing Director
Derek, born November 1968, holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from California State University, Los Angeles, USA. Aside from growing up in a family of tropical wood forest owners in Sarawak, Malaysia, he also has more than 15 years cross continental experience in the global wood industry including forestry, manufacturing, negotiations, purchasing, sales, marketing, reforestation, construction of sawmills and other downstream manufacturing facilities as well as manufacturing of lumber and downstream processing. Prior to assuming his current position, he was Deputy General Manager for Shanghai Kimhin United Building Materials Co. Ltd., Demerara Timbers Ltd. and Exotic Timber Ltd. with extensive exposure to China, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada, USA, Europe, South America, the Caribbean, India and the Middle East. Derek is fluent in English, several Chinese dialects as well as Bahasa Malaysia and Tagalog. Derek is based in Shanghai.
Jeff Rong - Engineering Manager, Nanjing Plant Construction
Jeff, born April 1965, holds a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University and a BSc degree in Chemical Automation Engineering from Shengyang University of Chemical Technology. Jeff has 15 years of experience working for The Dow Chemical Company with roles in Operations, HSE, Technology Improvement, Construction, Engineering and Project Management. His experience has included Construction Manager in projects ranging from US$10m to US$300m including light hydrocarbon cracker facility, Power 9 OSBL steam line project, environmental emission reduction projects and working experience in China as Project Manager and Construction Manager for multiple projects ranging from US$10m to US$100m, including Dow Dragon Project, Latex Train II, Dow Wuhan Essex site acquiring and upgrade, Nantong site upgrade, Ningbo PU&FAB project and as Site HSE Manager for a US$350m project complex. Jeff also worked as project engineer for state own chemical company (Taiyuan Chemical Plant) for four years prior to pursuing his Masters degree. Jeff is based in Beijing.
Tom Schmidt – Director of Purchasing
Tom holds a BSc degree in Business Administration from Kelley School of Business, Indiana University and an Associate’s Degree in Distribution from Vincennes University. Tom has held various Director and Vice President positions in Purchasing, Logistics, Supply Chain Management and manufacturing. His career has included roles with Ford Motor Company, TRW and Honeywell. He is certified in both Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma. Tom has personally managed start-ups in Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan from construction of Greenfield operations to first production. Having been resident in a number of East Asian countries (Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia) for 16 years, Tom brings significant procurement experience to Diamond Wood. Tom is also conversant in several Asian languages. Tom works in the Beijing and Nanjing offices.
Kings Hu – Human Resources Director
Kings, born July 1970, holds a bachelor degree in Literature & Art from Yan’an University, and holds a certificate of successful completion of courses of Psychology Master Degree granted by East of China Normal University. Kings has 16 years of experience working for MNC in a variety of industries, specializing in the field of manpower planning, total remuneration design & implementation, training & employee relations. Prior to assuming his current position, he was China HR Manager of Littelfuse and his career has included Head of Staffing, Compensation & Benefits of Suzhou Volex and Training Officer of Shanghai Lucent. Kings has combined experience of people strategies & management, organisation development, training & leadership development, talent management & EAP. Kings is based in Nanjing.