A View from the Top: Denise Li’s transformation from beauty queen to international property investor

A regular meditator and an optimist on Brexit, former Miss Taiwan talks about her journey into property development

Denise Li’s secret to staying sane when she’s constantly on the go? ‘I meditate a lot’ (PGC Capital)

Before having tea with Denise Li I'd never met the winner of a national beauty pageant. So when I sat down to speak to this globe-trotting business woman, all my preconceptions about the world of beauty queens promptly fluttered out of the window.

Self-confessed workaholic Li is the founder and CEO of PGC Capital, a private equity firm specialising in property investment and management, that's based in Shanghai but is making huge strides into the UK.

When I meet her in her London office, a stone's throw away from St Paul's Cathedral, she's immaculately dressed in a delicate white blouse and perfectly tailored suit trousers. As soon as she starts patiently answering my questions about her already illustrious career, though, she leaves no doubt that while aesthetics may be important to her, looks are far from her only distinguishing factor.

In between sips of green tea I quickly notice how impressive her English is. She's worked for a slew of top companies – Porsche, Nissan and Hilton Hotels to name but a few. In many cases proving instrumental in their international expansion. She's fiercely ambitious, has a laser-sharp focus on success and doing good in the world, and is determined to spread the message that Birmingham is a deeply remarkable city, with more to offer than you might think.

But first things first.

How does Miss Taiwan of 1986 make a splash in the world of sports management and then become a major player on the financial stage?

“You see, I never had the intention of becoming a beauty queen,” she explains modestly. “One day a relative suggested I take part, and I wasn't interested until he mentioned that it could be a great way of getting international experience,” she adds.

“I certainly wasn't there to win. I was there to gain international exposure. I was very young, and then, completely unexpectedly, I won.”

The year of travelling, doing charity work and learning a multitude of interpersonal skills following her victory, whetted her appetite for a life of exploring different cultures and seeking out new business opportunities in whatever market she landed.

Her first job, after subsequently studying in Vienna, was at American Express, where she excelled as a guest relations officer. Stints at Bankers Club – an exclusive members club for finance executives – Taiwan's biggest domestic airline and American multinational Amway followed, before Li appeared to discover her true passion: entrepreneurialism.

It's a little tricky to keep track of Li's CV after that. Among other things, she was responsible for the marketing and sponsorship of Formula 1 and the FA Championship League in China. In 2013, she introduced International Golf Week to China – one of Europe’s biggest non-competitive golf events.

Later, she tells me, her sister introduced her to Chinese business magnate and philanthropist Dr Ching Chih Chen. The chairman of a shipping dynasty, he shared her passion for investment, infrastructure development and travel. In 2015 she established PGC Capital.

Today the company has over 30 staff and Dr Chen is chairman. They've developed two large housing projects in Birmingham, with 77 units and over 500 units respectively, helping high-net worth Asians get a foot on the property ladder in what Li describes as one of the UK's most promising cities. “Boomingham,” she calls it.

Next up their PGC Capital is eyeing developments in Manchester and Warsaw. Based on the scope of her past ambition, what Li's planning beyond that is anyone's guess. But earlier this year, she told the Financial Times that she plans to invest £600m in UK property and business parks over the next five year.

One of the most striking things I notice about Li is the boundless energy she exudes. She tells stories of her life with vigour, pride and enthusiasm. She tells me that she's constantly on the go, in and out of airports and hotels, sometimes visiting more than 10 cities in one month. So what's her secret to staying sane and looking at least a decade younger than her age (she's in her early 50s)?

“I meditate a lot,” she says. Every morning, she explains, she meditates for one hour. Once a year she goes on a silent retreat where she does nothing but meditate and sleep for ten days or more. “No talking, no eye contact, no TV, no social media.”

She also tells me that she's a natural leader with a sense of responsibility towards her colleagues and clients, and that it's this that keeps her going. She's got four younger sisters and a younger brother. Her parents – originally from northern China – instilled a sense of leadership in her early on.

She's still very close with her family, and it's when talk turns to her mother that the steely veneer of an intrepid investment executive gives way – albeit only temporarily – to something perhaps a little softer and more emotional. I ask her what has been her proudest achievement in her career so far and she catches me off guard.

“I used to sometimes forget about my parents and now I make sure I call them at least once a week,” she says, elegantly wiping away a tear.

“The most important thing in life is to do good for the people who matter most.” Her voice cracks a little. “Look after the people who care about you. That is the most beautiful thing.”

Perhaps it's a little crass, after an exchange as heartfelt as that, to swerve the conversation towards a topic as divisive as Brexit, but our time's almost up, I can't resist and Li doesn't seem to mind.

“British people worry too much about Brexit,” she says, in a way that makes me think she's been patiently waiting to answer this question – and looking forward to it. She says that the British services industry and manufacturing in the country still make it an attractive place for overseas companies and investors.

And crucially, the language is still a big draw for clients too, she explains.

“The legal and financial systems are very mature. Brexit isn't going to change that. In fact, you should think of Brexit as an opportunity.”

Yet again, Li has surprised me, but I must admit it's quite refreshing to hear her optimism. I'm not sure I fully share it, but as I get up to leave the room I can't help thinking that I might just give meditation a go. It probably won't resolve any of the political mess that I have to concern myself with on a daily basis, but at least for one beauty queen from Taiwan, the benefits of it are pretty evident.