【Friday Beyond Spotlights III】William Louey: Making a Positive Impact on Society

Hosted by Nick Chan, Episode 8 of Season 3 features William Louey, a visionary leader, successful businessman, and philanthropist dedicated to creating a better world. As the director of Kowloon Motor Bus Company, a 102-year legacy founded by his grandfather since 1921, William has led the company to remarkable heights.

Going green

When discussing the company’s business model, William explained, “KMB is a privately owned company that operates public transport. We are the only company of this kind in the entire world. We do not receive any subsidies from the government whatsoever.” Despite the challenges of running without government subsidies, he considers the company to be successful. “I am incredibly proud of our company and my management,” he added.

Through persistent efforts into going green, William revealed that the company has been actively investing in electric buses as a gradual replacement for the current diesel fleet. This initiative reflects their commitment to constructing a sustainable future in response to pressing environmental issues. Moreover, it enables the company to achieve more stable profitability amidst the volatility of oil prices.

A dedicated philanthropist

William is a philanthropist who supports numerous charitable organizations, including the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hong Kong Chinese Orchesra. His commitment to giving back to society and promoting the well-being of others stems from the profound influence of his beloved grandmother. “I spent a significant portion of my childhood with her, and we often visited homes for the elderly and disabled children,” shared William.

Reflecting on his past, he recounted his grandmother’s philanthropic endeavors, which involved establishing various facilities for the underprivileged. “As a child, accompanying her to those facilities wasn’t something I particularly enjoyed. However, at her funeral, I was approached by numerous individuals who expressed their gratitude,” he recalled. It was at that moment that he realized the transformative power and enduring impact of performing acts of kindness and assisting those in need.

“Now, I truly admire the honorable way in which she conducted charity without seeking recognition. I believe that’s how charity should be practiced, as it holds greater significance than using it as a mean to gain personal acclaim. My grandmother has been a tremendous inspiration to me,” William expressed.

Drawing inspiration from his grandmother, William embarked on a journey of aiding others. He founded an educational foundation aimed at identifying talented students from Mainland China and Hong Kong, enabling them to study overseas, expand their perspectives, and contribute meaningfully to society. “Some of my earlier beneficiaries are already in their forties,” he said with a smile.

Learning from setbacks

William joined the company in his thirties and has since propelled its growth to encompass a fleet of over 4,300 buses, operating on more than 400 routes. William holds a belief that success takes on different meanings in various stages of life. In his words: “When I was in my thirties, I believed that financial prosperity equated to success. However, as I have grown older, I have come to realize that true success lies in making a meaningful contribution and helping others.” He further elaborated, “For instance, our buses serve approximately 3 million passengers daily. It is a gratifying feeling to know that I am assisting 2.8 million individuals each day in reaching their desired destinations.”

While William is widely recognized as a successful individual, he has also experienced ventures that were not as fruitful. Nevertheless, he demonstrated resilience and ultimately thrived. William expressed gratitude for the failures he encountered, acknowledging that during those moments, it is normal to feel down and disheartened. “But looking back, all these failures are what shaped me. Also, you learn from setbacks, so I genuinely appreciate them.”