Cutting Edge Technologies to Transform Facilities Management

Simon Yu is an Associate Director at CBRE, the world’s leading commercial real estate services and investment firm. With a strong track record in capital markets, Simon has advised on and executed over HK$8.5 billion (US$1 billion) in real estate transactions, demonstrating deep expertise in investment advisory, transaction structuring, and market intelligence across the APAC region.

A passionate advocate for innovation and sustainability in real estate, Simon co-founded the PropTech Institute in 2019—a non-profit organization committed to accelerating the adoption of technology in the built environment. As President, he has played a pivotal role in cultivating a dynamic ecosystem that connects startups, corporates, and industry leaders to drive digital transformation and sustainable practices in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Simon’s leadership has been instrumental in promoting the integration of AI, data analytics, and green building solutions into real estate strategies. His vision is to create a smarter, more efficient, and sustainable property sector that benefits all stakeholders—from developers and investors to communities and end-users.

In addition to his professional endeavors, Simon actively contributes to cross-cultural and educational initiatives. He serves as President of the Western University Alumni Association in Hong Kong and was recently appointed Co-Chair of the Property Committee at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, where he champions collaboration between Canada and Asia through talent exchange and innovation.

At ReThink 2025, Simon will host the session “Rethinking Real Estate Finance: Green Bonds and Sustainable Investment in APAC,” exploring how financial innovation can unlock capital for greener, more resilient urban development across the region.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025:

Mainstream Adoption of Green Finance Instruments
I envision a significant increase in the issuance and uptake of green bonds and sustainability-linked loans across the real estate sector. These tools should become standard practice for funding new developments and retrofitting existing assets, aligning capital flows with ESG goals.

Accelerated Decarbonization of the Built Environment

I hope to see more developers and asset owners commit to science-based targets and adopt low-carbon technologies, such as smart energy systems and green construction materials, to reduce emissions across the property lifecycle.

Stronger Public-Private Collaboration on Urban Resilience
I would like to see deeper collaboration between government, industry, and academia to co-create policies and pilot programs that enhance climate resilience, promote circularity, and support sustainable urban regeneration in Hong Kong’s dense urban fabric.

With over 25 years of experience in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry, Caren is a seasoned and passionate commercial leader who thrives on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to customers. As the Commercial Director at Propelair, Caren oversees the commercial strategy to drive business growth and profitability for Propelair’s patented low-water toilet technology. By understanding wider market trends, identifying new business opportunities, and managing customer relationships, she ensures long-term success for both Propelair and its customers.

Caren’s core competencies include negotiation, customer relationship management, and product management on a global scale. She have a proven track record of increasing sales revenue, expanding market share, and streamlining commercial operations to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Her technical background, coupled with an interest in sustainable industries and a knack for working with diverse teams, fosters a high-performance culture within Propelair.

Outside of their professional achievements, she enjoys travelling and a healthy family life.

Lewis Lam is the team leader of the company’s Technology Applications Working Committee and a member of the company’s ESG Committee. He is tasked to explore, apply and develop solutions that could enable more intelligent and greener property management practices. Lewis is a licensed property management services practitioner in Hong Kong and has professionally affiliated with organizations related to real estate and property management.

My Sustainability Goals for 2024:

Explore more case studies with successful and smart innovations that are causing behavioral change of people.

I am the Co-founder of Techlution Service Limited, with over 10 years of experience in technology and startups. My expertise includes AI, data management, cloud computing, and clustering network infrastructures, utilizing tools like Docker, Swarm, and AWS for multinational corporations (MNCs). Additionally, I am an active speaker and mentor in the business and STEM communities across Hong Kong, Singapore, and mainland China.

Currently, I serve as the CEO of Alpha Group Technology (ATGL), a listed company on Nasdaq. Our company focuses on cutting-edge AI technologies, including AI OCR, large language models (LLM), generative AI, and predictive AI. We are dedicated to providing the best solutions to our clients.

My Sustainability Goals for 2024:

Promote Green Technology:
Increase the adoption of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies in all our projects.
Develop and implement solutions that reduce carbon footprints and promote renewable energy sources.

Environmental Impact Reduction:
Set measurable targets to reduce our environmental impact, including reducing paper usage.
Regularly monitor and report on our progress towards achieving these targets.

Innovation in Sustainable AI Solutions:
Invest in research and development of AI technologies that contribute to sustainability, such as AI-driven energy management systems and predictive maintenance for reducing resource consumption.
Develop AI solutions that help other industries enhance their sustainability efforts.

Don Tse is currently the President (2025-2026) of the IFMA Hong Kong Chapter. He was elected as the Secretary (2024-2025) of the IFMA Hong Kong Chapter.

As the Assistant General Manager of Hongkong Land, Don oversees building operations, technical issues, sustainable targets and measures, as well as tenancy management in Exchange Square Complex and Jardine House. With over 20 years of experience in property management, technical services, energy management, and sustainability, Don brings a wealth of knowledge to his role.

Don has successfully led his team in Hongkong Land in completing various special projects focused on sustainability and innovation, including the setup of an energy management platform, promotion of renewable energy, chiller replacement and optimization, system retro-commissioning, application of AHU plug fans, LoRaWan infrastructure setup, and adoption of 5G technology.

Don has also played a proactive role in defining the maintenance strategy and establishing the maintenance policy for the company. He served as the lead auditor for the technical audit in Hong Kong Portfolio, investment properties in China, and properties in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, Don has developed the Facility Design Guide from a property management perspective, providing valuable references for new project developments.

Don holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Building Services) from HKUST, and a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from HKU. He is a Chartered Building Services Engineer.

Don actively supports Green Business Groups, including BEC’s Advisory Groups (AGs), as a member of Sustainability Living Environment. He is also a Co-opted Member of the Communications and Membership Committee and Green Labelling Committee in the Hong Kong Green Building Council.