Superman flies into British airspace

Three owner Li Ka-shing is known as “superman” by the Hong Kong media.

But with his sprawling business empire the 86-year-old tycoon is more like Superman’s nemesis Lex Luthor.

Li’s commercial interests span everything from property, shops and ports, to aircraft leasing. And, of course, telecoms. His personal wealth is estimated at around $34bn.

Li recently announced a plan to consolidate his interests, merging his two Hong Kong listed blue-chip firms Cheung Kong Holdings and Hutchison Whampoa (which have a combined market capitalisation of $100bn), possibly with a view to making it simpler for his son, Victor, to succeed him at the head of the business.

Li launched Three in the UK in 2003. And he is expanding here on other fronts.

Earlier this week, he brought freight-train owner Eversholt Rail for £2.5bn. Superman is still flying high.