In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

Chapter 339: A strong announcement, you have no choice but to agree!

Su Zhixue's announcement caused an uproar in the conference room.

Almost all foreigners found it unbelievable.

Recalling the previous battle for Wharf Holdings to increase its stake, although Jardine Matheson ultimately failed, it took more than half a year before Bao Yugang successfully snatched it away.

And now, they had never heard before that anyone had the ability to acquire the Jardine Matheson Group, but they were told at this meeting that the Jardine Matheson Group had actually been acquired?

"As the head of Jardine Matheson and Hutchison Whampoa Group, I would like to sincerely congratulate Mr. Lin Haoran on officially becoming the new leader of Hutchison Whampoa Group. Next, I will fully cooperate with all your decisions and actions!" Niu Bijian stood up at this time and made a solemn statement.

Since he has decided to follow Lin Haoran, Niu Bijian naturally has to make his position clear first.

vote?

Is this even worth voting for?
Lin Haoran not only holds 47.3% of the shares of the Hong Kong Land Group, but don’t forget that the additional 19% of Jardine Matheson Holdings shares are also under his control!

What can the British financial group use to compete with him?

"No wonder you insisted on asking the Hong Kong Land Development to exchange shares for the cooperative investment of the Hong Kong Electric Group. It turns out that all this was premeditated!" Bao Fuda suddenly realized why the Hong Kong Electric Group insisted on demanding shares as a condition for cooperation. He said with a hint of unwillingness in his tone.

He understood that after this meeting, he might face the situation of losing his job.

"This is just a normal business decision. How can it be premeditated?" Lin Haoran responded with a smile.

At this time, Su Zhixue continued to announce a fact that was even more difficult for them to accept!

He continued: “Given that Hong Kong Land Group holds 30.1% of Jardine Matheson’s shares and is the actual controlling shareholder of Jardine Matheson, and Universal Investments also holds 19% of Jardine Matheson’s shares, the total actual controlling stake reaches 49.1%.

Therefore, from today onwards, Jardine Matheson will be officially incorporated into Universal Investments and become a listed company. In the future, both Jardine Matheson and Hong Kong Land Group will continue to move forward steadily under the leadership of Mr. Lin Haoran! "

If Henry Keswick was reluctant to lose the Jardine Matheson Group but could still accept it, then losing Jardine Matheson was a completely unbearable burden for him.

What are the roots of the Keswick family?

It’s Jardine Matheson!

Henry Keswick could not even imagine how serious the consequences would be if the Keswick family lost Jardine Matheson!

Over the years, with the strong financial support of Jardine Matheson, the Keswick family has risen step by step from an unknown small family in the UK to a prominent family that can be ranked among the major British conglomerates. All this glory comes from the endless wealth brought by Jardine Matheson.

Although they only hold a 12% stake, thanks to their deep roots in Jardine Matheson over the years and the huge profits gained through Jardine Matheson's indirect control over the Hong Kong Land Group, the rate of return brought by this 12% stake actually far exceeds the value of their actual equity!
This is also the reason why they did not choose to increase their holdings.

In Henry Keswick's eyes, the funds needed to increase the shareholding were not a small amount, and Jardine Matheson was firmly in their hands, so why bother to do it and cause trouble?
"No, you can't control Jardine Matheson. Jardine Matheson belongs to our British financial group and you Chinese are not allowed to touch it. I want the Governor to make the decision. This is a malicious takeover and your actions are doomed to fail!" Henry Keswick was even a little incoherent in his speech.

Losing the Jardine Matheson Group has become an unchangeable fact, but he is unwilling to accept the loss of Jardine Matheson even though his shareholding ratio is at a disadvantage!
"A hostile takeover? Jardine Matheson is a publicly listed company, and my reasonable acquisition of its shares through the secondary market is a completely legal business operation. As far as I know, Mr. Henry Keswick only holds about 12% of Jardine Matheson's shares, right?
Even if you add the 6% of Huifeng Bank and the shares held by other British financial groups, the total is only more than 30.1 percentage points. The 19% of shares held by Hong Kong Land Group is far more than your share. Add the 50% of shares held by our Universal Investment Company, and we control nearly % of the shares. Mr. Henry Keswick, how can you fight for the controlling rights?
In addition, I have to inform Mr. Henry Keswick that before coming to the Connaught Building, Governor General MacLehose had assured me that he would not interfere in any legitimate business competition between me and the Jardine Matheson Group.

All my actions are legal and compliant. I want to see what tricks Mr. Henry Keswick has to take back the controlling stake. "Lin Haoran sat upright in his chair and responded to Henry Keswick's question calmly.

After getting the promise from Governor MacLehose, Lin Haoran was indeed confident that he could successfully take over Jardine Matheson.

The most important thing is that in order to reduce investment, each of these British financial groups holds such a small number of shares.

Who would have thought that before he acquired the shares of Jardine Matheson, the Keswick family, the largest individual shareholder of Jardine Matheson, held a pitiful 12% of the shares.

If he holds about 30% of the shares, with the support of other British financial groups, who can dare to take over Jardine Matheson?
The current situation of the British financial consortium is entirely caused by themselves.

Everyone present fell silent at this moment.

The British shareholders who owned shares in the Hong Kong Land Group looked at each other at this moment, as if they were communicating with their eyes.

Lin Haoran's acquisition of the Jardine Matheson Group does not actually involve much benefit to them.

After all, although they are one of the major shareholders of the Hong Kong Land Group, Jardine Matheson has the final say in the Hong Kong Land Group, and the shares they hold are mostly for dividends.

Moreover, they knew very well that even if they continued to support Mr. Henry Keswick, it would be of no use.

With so few shares, they are naturally at a disadvantage. It is useless to support, so it is better to remain silent. Therefore, none of the shareholders of the Landmark Group jumped out to speak.

As for those professional managers on the board of directors, they looked at their immediate superior, Bao Fuda, and then at their immediate superior, Niu Bijian, and exchanged glances with each other, and soon made a decision.

“In this meeting, since we have a significant advantage, voting is unnecessary. Even if Mr. Henry objects, you have no choice but to agree. Here, I announce several important decisions: From today, I will officially take over the leadership of the group as a major shareholder of the Hong Kong Land Group.

Mr Niu Bijian will no longer serve as the chairman of the Hong Kong Land Group, but will retain his positions as a director of the Hong Kong Land Group and the chairman of Jardine Matheson.

At the same time, Mr. Bao Fuda's position as executive director and general manager has been revoked, and the position will be temporarily taken over by Mr. Niu Bijian until a new candidate is in place. During this period, the Finance Department will be temporarily taken over by us, and the head of the Finance Department is requested to fully cooperate with our work.

In addition, for the senior management of the Hong Kong Land Group present here, if you intend to leave with Mr. Bao Fuda, I can approve your resignation requests; if you choose to stay, I also welcome you.

But please note that in the future, whether it is Hong Kong Land or Jardine Matheson, the selection of senior management will be more stringent, and anyone who is incompetent will face the risk of demotion or dismissal. I hope you will be fully prepared. " Then, Lin Haoran directly announced his next plan.

"As the boss of Jardine Matheson and the former boss of the Hong Kong Land Group, I support Mr. Lin Haoran's decision!" Niu Bijian ran out again and said.

Bao Fuda, an important figure who once served as executive director and general manager, was directly removed from the Jardine Matheson Group by Lin Haoran.

Anyway, with the experienced former boss Niu Bijian in charge, even if Bao Fuda is lost, the Swire Group will be able to remain stable and there will not be too much turmoil.

Lin Haoran's words completely shattered Bao Fuda's last bit of hope.

At this moment, Bao Fuda looked dejected and was full of confusion about his future.

The reason he chose to support Henry Keswick was that he was taking sides.

In his opinion, although Niu Bijian is the current boss and is in charge of Jardine Matheson and the Hong Kong Land Group.

But Niu Bijian is, after all, just a professional manager like him. Once he loses this position, he will be nothing.

On the contrary, it was Henry Keswick, the representative of the Keswick family and the man behind Jardine Matheson.

Given the choice between Henry Keswick and Niu Bijian, he would naturally choose the former.

But now, the person he chose has fallen from the altar, and he is suffering as a result.

"Oh!" Bao Fuda sighed deeply, but he was not as unable to accept this fact as Henry Keswick.

This result is nothing more than paying the price for one's own choice.

Even Niu Bijian, who is in charge of the listing, has expressed his support for Lin Haoran. As the senior executives of the Jardine Matheson Group, each of them naturally considers his own interests.

Bao Fuda and several other shareholders of the Landmark Group remained silent, but several senior executives of the Landmark Group began to express their opinions.

"Mr. Lin, I am willing to continue to stay in the Hong Kong Land Group and make my due contribution to the group."

"Mr. Lin, I am willing too!"

"I do too!"

Of the eight senior executives present, except for Bao Fuda who remained silent, the other seven chose to stay in their positions.

To them, it is just a change of boss and has little to do with their interests.

Although, in the past they looked down on the Chinese.

But they still understand the truth that those who know the times are heroes!

"Okay, as the real owner of Jardine Matheson and Swire Group in the future, I welcome everyone to stay. I believe you will not regret your choice today in the future!" Lin Haoran said with a smile.

In fact, he had already planned in his heart to gradually kick these people out of the top management of the Landmark Group in the future.

But now, it is definitely not possible. Once everyone is kicked out, it will be a mess.

(End of this chapter)