Central Queensland University alumnus, Mr Derek Chan is the 2013 winner of the CPA Australia, Australia China Alumni Award for Banking and Finance.

Mr. Derek Chan is the Managing Partner, Plateau Corporation Limited, one of the largest local private equity funds in China. He is one of four executive committee members of the firm and his key responsibility is overseeing the business’s project management, deal sourcing and execution. 

Over the past three years the firm has invested more than RMB 20 billion into China’s non-listed equity market. Most recently, Derek closed a RMB 2 billion-equity investment for a top-tier Chinese SOE.

Derek undertook his accounting degree at Central Queensland University after a work transfer to Queensland in 1995. Impressed by the curricular of the accounting degree and the flexibility with evening lectures, the opportunity to review lecture videos during weekends, and even the option to study by distance learning, Derek says the Australian study experience was “a wonderful continuing study environment for a full time manager like me.”

After completing his accounting degree, Derek went on to obtain his Australian CPA qualification.

“It provided me with a solid ground for career development in investment banking and corporate finance related fields, leading to my first job with the PwC corporate finance department,” says Derek.

“It also paved the way for my further career success. I was appointed as Senior Director and Equity Partner in Arthur Andersen Taiwan and Deloitte China respectively. This corporate finance working experience and related professional network directly contributed to my recent achievement in the private equity firm.”

The judging panel drew special attention to Derek’s leadership in the finance and accounting fields, where he has played a key role linking multi-national corporations to China’s state-owned enterprises. The judges were also impressed with his active involvement in the community, demonstrated by his founding of the Hong Kong Professionals Association (Beijing), his membership of various Chambers of Commerce and more recently his work with the CPA Australia Beijing Committee. ■

To read about the other winners of this year’s ACAA / IELTS Australia China Alumni of the Year Awards visit:

ACAA IELTS 2013 Australia China Alumni of the Year: Mr Zili Shao  

ACAA Young Chinese Australia China Alumni of the Year Award: Ms Jingjing Xi 

ACAA Young Australian Australia China Alumni of the Year Award: Mr Timothy Coghlan  

Australia China Alumni Award for Research and Innovation: Dr Aihua Wang 

Austrade Australia China Alumni Award for Entrepreneurship: Mr Kai Chen 

ACAA Australia China Alumni Award for Corporate Achievement: Dr Weihua Sun  

Australia China Alumni Award for Women in Leadership: Julie Song 

Australia China Connections Magazine Australia China Alumni Award for ICT and New Media: Dr Peng Tao