Helmut Sohmen

$5.70 B

Ranked #445 in World

About Helmut Sohmen

Helmut Sohmen, an esteemed Austrian lawyer and businessman, is recognized for his impactful tenure as BW Group's former chairman and Hong Kong legislator. Born in Linz on December 10, 1939, Sohmen amassed a fortune estimated at US$1.4 billion by 2010, according to Forbes. His diverse education and career ranged from legal advisory roles to leading Hong Kong's Dragon Air and being celebrated among the wealthiest in Hong Kong and Austria. Sohmen's contributions to finance and maritime sectors, along with his philanthropic endeavors, cement his legacy in Austro-Asian relations.

Born

December 10, 1939

Source Of Wealth

Shipping

Industries

Logistics

Citizenship

Austria

Residence

Hong Kong

Education

Doctor of Jurisprudence, Southern Methodist University; Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of Vienna

Helmut Sohmen was born on 10 December 1939 in Linz, Austria. He grew up in Linz and graduated from Linz Realschule (Fadingerschule) with distinction in 1958.

Helmut Sohmen: Education

Sohmen studied law at the University of Vienna and Southern Methodist University. He won a Fulbright scholarship to continue at the University of Connecticut in the United States and received his doctorate in Vienna.

Helmut Sohmen: Career

Sohmen's first job was as a legal adviser to the Royal Bank of Canada in Montreal. He later interrupted his professional activity to obtain a Master of Comparative Law (Southern Methodist University) and a Master of Laws. In 1970, he joined his father-in-law's company, World-Wide Shipping Group, and moved to Hong Kong.

Sohmen worked in Bermuda (1974) and London (1977) before settling in Hong Kong in 1981. He was appointed chairman of World-Wide Shipping Group in 1986, and ownership of the company passed to his wife in 1989. In 2003, he completed the takeover of Norway's Bergesen fleet and renamed the group BW Group. Sohmen retired as chairman of BW Group in November 2014, succeeded by his son Andreas Sohmen-Pao.

Helmut Sohmen: Companies

Sohmen held various positions in several companies, including:

Board member of HSBC from 1984 to 1996.
Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of HSBC from 1996 to 2005.
Board member of parent company HSBC Holdings Plc from 1990 to 2007.
CEO of Dragon Air from 1985 to 1989.
Director of Development at Harbour Centre Limited (Hong Kong Shipowners' Association), Hong Kong until 1994.
President of the Baltic and International Maritime Council, Copenhagen.
Board Member (1986–2001) and CEO (2001–2006) of the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation, London.
First International Board Member of the Southern Methodist University Board of Trustees, 1999.
Member of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2000-2008.
Vice President (1986–1989) and President (1989–1990) of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce.

Deputy Chairman (1996–1998) and Chairman (1998–2000) of the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC).
Member of the APEC Business Advisory Council in 2000.
Executive Committee Member (1998–2002), Vice President (2002–2003), and President (2003–2004) of the Hong Kong Club.
Chairman of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.
Chairman of the Commission on the Review of the ICAC.
Honorary President of the Austrian Society for the promotion of friendly and cultural relations with the PRC (ÖGCF).
Founding President of the Far East Sohmen Foundation.
Member of the International Advisory Board to the Austrian Chancellor.

Helmut Sohmen: Major Achievements

Sohmen's major achievements include:

Building World-Wide Shipping Group into a global shipping conglomerate.
Completing the takeover of Norway's Bergesen fleet and renaming the group BW Group.
Serving as chairman of BW Group for over 20 years.
Holding various leadership positions in numerous organizations, including HSBC, Dragon Air, and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce.
Making significant contributions to the development of Hong Kong's economy and maritime industry.

Helmut Sohmen: Awards & Achievements

Sohmen received numerous awards and recognitions, including:

Order of the British Empire in 1990.
Nomination in the "Eminent Persons Group" by the European Commission in 1995.
Schumpeter Prize of the Schumpeter Society in 1998.
Silver Bauhinia Star in 2005.

Helmut Sohmen: Personal Life & Legacy

Sohmen married Anna Pui Hing Pao in 1967, whom he met while studying in Canada. They have three children (two sons and one daughter). His wife, Pui Hing Anna Pao Sohmen, held several functions in Hong Kong and was a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Sohmen is known for his contributions to the business community, his philanthropic work, and his commitment to promoting cultural and economic ties between Austria and Asia.

Helmut Sohmen: Trivia

Sohmen is a keen sailor and has participated in several international sailing competitions. He is also a patron of the arts and has supported various cultural institutions in Hong Kong and Austria.

Wealth History

Timeline

10 December 1939

Helmut Sohmen is born in Linz, Austria.

1958

Graduates from Linz Realschule (Fadingerschule) with distinction.

1967

Marries Anna Pui Hing Pao, whom he met while studying in Canada.

1970

Joins his father-in-law's company, World-Wide Shipping Group, and moves to Hong Kong.

1974

Works in Bermuda.

1977

Works in London.

1981

Settles in Hong Kong.

1984

Appointed board member of HSBC.

1985

Becomes CEO of Dragon Air.

1986

Appointed chairman of World-Wide Shipping Group.

1986

Becomes board member of the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation.

1986

Becomes vice president of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce.

1987

Establishes the Egon Sohmen Foundation.

1989

Ownership of World-Wide Shipping Group passes to his wife.

1989

Becomes president of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce.

1990

Awarded the Order of the British Empire.

1990

Becomes board member of parent company HSBC Holdings Plc.

1991

Sets up the Sohmen-Far East Foundation (SFEF).

1993

Establishes the Sohmen-China Foundation for the Promotion of Austria Society (ÖGCF).

1994

Steps down as director of development at Harbour Centre Limited (Hong Kong Shipowners' Association), Hong Kong.

1995

Nominated in the "Eminent Persons Group" by the European Commission.

1996

Becomes deputy chairman of the supervisory board of HSBC.

1996

Becomes deputy chairman of the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC).

1998

Becomes chairman of the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC).

1998

Awarded the Schumpeter Prize of the Schumpeter Society.

1998

Becomes executive committee member of the Hong Kong Club.

1999

Becomes first international board member of the Southern Methodist University Board of Trustees.

2000

Becomes member of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

2000

Becomes member of the APEC Business Advisory Council.

2001

Becomes CEO of the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation.

2002

Becomes vice president of the Hong Kong Club.

2003

Completes the takeover of Norway's Bergesen fleet, renaming the group BW Group.

2003

Becomes president of the Hong Kong Club.

2004

Steps down as president of the Hong Kong Club.

2005

Awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star.

2006

Steps down as CEO of the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation.

2007

Steps down as board member of parent company HSBC Holdings Plc.

2008

Steps down as member of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

November 2014

Retires as chairman of BW Group, succeeded by his son Andreas Sohmen-Pao.

Helmut Sohmen : FAQs

What is Helmut Sohmen's net worth?

As of 2023, Helmut Sohmen's net worth was $5.70 billion.

What are Helmut Sohmen's main sources of wealth?

Helmut Sohmen's main source of income comes from Shipping.

In which industry does Helmut Sohmen primarily operate?

Helmut Sohmen is primarily involved in the Logistics industry.

What is Helmut Sohmen educational background?

Helmut Sohmen holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Arts/Science from the University of Vienna.

How many children does Helmut Sohmen have?

Helmut Sohmen has 3 children.

What is Helmut Sohmen known for?

Helmut Sohmen is known for being an Austrian lawyer and businessman in Hong Kong, the former chairman of the BW Group, and a Hong Kong legislator. He was also the former managing director of Dragon Air and listed as the 13th richest person in Hong Kong in 2009 with a fortune of US$1.4 billion in 2010.

Where was Helmut Sohmen educated and what scholarships did he receive?

Helmut Sohmen graduated with distinction from Linz Realschule in 1958. He studied law at the University of Vienna and Southern Methodist University. He won a Fulbright scholarship to study at the University of Connecticut in the US, where he continued his education and received a doctorate in Vienna.

Can you outline Helmut Sohmen's career trajectory and his impact on the shipping industry?

Helmut Sohmen started his career as a legal adviser to the Royal Bank of Canada in Montreal. He then joined the World-Wide Shipping Group in 1970, later becoming its chairman in 1986 and successfully taking over Norway's Bergesen fleet in 2003, which was then renamed BW Group. He retired from BW Group in 2014. Throughout his career, he has held numerous positions including CEO of Dragon Air and has made substantial contributions to the shipping industry.

What positions and roles has Helmut Sohmen held throughout his professional life?

Helmut Sohmen has held several prominent positions including being a board member of HSBC, legislator in the Hong Kong Legislative Council, chairman of the Hong Kong Austrian Association, and member of numerous advisory boards. He was also involved in the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation, the Baltic and International Maritime Council, the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce, and served as chairman of several organizations in Hong Kong.

What contributions has Helmut Sohmen made to academic and cultural foundations?

Helmut Sohmen has made significant cultural and academic contributions through the establishment of foundations such as the Egon Sohmen Foundation for economic research, the Sohmen-Far East Foundation to create opportunities for young Austrians in Asia, and the Sohmen-China Foundation to promote friendly and cultural relations with the PRC. His philanthropic efforts have fostered international research, education, and cross-cultural understanding.