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Bruce Rockowitz

Bruce Philip Rockowitz is a Canadian-born businessman based in , best known for his extensive career in , distribution, and entrepreneurship in the consumer goods sector. He co-founded Colby International Limited in 1981, a major -based buying agent, which he led as CEO until its acquisition by Limited in 2000 for HK$2.2 billion. Following the acquisition, Rockowitz joined as an in 2001 and became president of (Trading) Ltd. in 2004. In May 2011, he was appointed group president and , where he oversaw the company's expansion into trading, , and networks, managing a multinational operation with a 2010 turnover of HK$124.1 billion. Under his leadership, achieved significant growth, with earnings tripling between 1999 and 2006 and a of 22% since going public in 1992; he was recognized as Asia's best CEO in the consumer category by in 2008 and ranked among the world's top 30 CEOs by in 2010 and 2011. Rockowitz served in this role until 2014, after which he transitioned to vice chairman and CEO of Global Brands Group Holding Ltd., a from focused on fashion licensing and , until 2019. In parallel with his corporate roles, Rockowitz co-founded The Pure Group in 2002, a lifestyle company offering , , and wellness services with studios across , where he serves as non-executive chairman. He is also the founder and chairman of several ventures, including Rock Media International, Legend Publishing Ltd., and Dough Bros Holdings Ltd., and has held the position of independent at Ltd. since 2009. Additionally, Rockowitz contributes to industry education as a board member of the Educational Foundation for the Fashion Industries and a member of the for Wharton’s Jay H. Baker Retailing Initiative.

Early life

Childhood

Bruce Rockowitz was born in 1958 in , acquiring Canadian nationality from birth. Although details of his early childhood remain limited in public records, Rockowitz grew up in , , where he first developed a strong interest in sports during his youth. No information is available regarding his family background, including parents or siblings. His early education lacked formal business training; instead, he attended the from 1978 to 1980 before dropping out, underscoring his non-traditional trajectory toward a career in commerce. In , emerged as his primary focus, leading him to pursue professional opportunities abroad.

Tennis career

Rockowitz, having developed an early interest in sports during his childhood in , arrived in in 1979 as a 21-year-old tennis professional after taking a semester off from the . He initially aimed to compete professionally, participating in tournaments on the tennis circuit while working as a tennis pro to cover living expenses in the humid climate. Although he did not achieve the full professional status he envisioned, his time on the court provided initial exposure to Hong Kong's competitive sports scene. In the early 1980s, Rockowitz transitioned to coaching, securing the position of head tennis coach at the prestigious Country Club, one of the city's most exclusive venues with a long waiting list for membership. In this role, he instructed members of 's elite, including property tycoon and businessman , the founder of . These interactions not only honed his coaching skills but also helped him build a valuable network among influential figures in , laying the groundwork for future opportunities beyond .

Career

Entry into business

After arriving in in 1979 as a professional coach, Bruce Rockowitz leveraged his connections in the expatriate community to transition into the apparel industry in the early . His background provided a networking foundation among influential figures in the city, leading to a pivotal meeting with Canadian entrepreneur , who had recently established a sourcing firm. This encounter marked Rockowitz's entry into business, as he joined Zeman to co-found Colby International Limited in 1981, a Hong Kong-based buying agent specializing in apparel for global brands. As co-founder and later of Colby from 1986 to 2000, Rockowitz focused on sourcing and distribution operations, securing major contracts with apparel companies by outbidding established competitors. Under his leadership, the company grew to employ over 1,000 staff, emphasizing efficient in the region's burgeoning sector. This hands-on role involved coordinating manufacturing across , from factories in and to distribution networks serving Western markets. Rockowitz's tenure at Colby honed his expertise in global supply chains, where he navigated the complexities of Asia's apparel industry, including vendor negotiations, , and amid fluctuating regulations. By the late , Colby's model of agile sourcing had positioned it as a key player in the sector, providing Rockowitz with deep practical knowledge that informed his subsequent ventures.

Leadership at Li & Fung

In 2004, Bruce Rockowitz was appointed President of Li & Fung (Trading) Limited, the principal operating subsidiary of the global supply chain management company Limited, where he oversaw sourcing, trading, and operations for major retail brands worldwide. He had joined the company as an in 2001, bringing prior experience in apparel sourcing from his earlier ventures. In 2011, Rockowitz advanced to Group and , leading the overall strategy during a period of significant industry transformation. Under Rockowitz's leadership, expanded its sourcing network through strategic acquisitions and organic growth, increasing its global footprint to over 70 offices and 11,000 employees by the mid-2000s, while achieving a 22% in earnings since the company's 1992 public listing. The company diversified its supplier base across , , and other regions, including key markets like , , , and , to optimize costs and production efficiency for clients such as apparel and consumer goods retailers. During the 2000s and 2010s, Rockowitz drove adaptations to emerging trends by leveraging for real-time tracking and exploring new sourcing partnerships tailored to online retail demands, enabling store-ready shipments and demand-responsive production. In 2014, Rockowitz spearheaded the decision to Li & Fung's branding and licensing division into a separate entity, Global Brands Group, which was listed on the in July of that year. The rationale centered on simplifying the corporate structure to sharpen focus on core sourcing, trading, and logistics operations, while providing enhanced financial flexibility for the distinct growth trajectories of the branding business and the traditional supply chain segments. This move marked the conclusion of Rockowitz's decade-long tenure at the helm of Li & Fung's executive leadership.

Global Brands Group

In May 2014, Bruce Rockowitz assumed the roles of CEO and vice chairman at Global Brands Group, a company spun off from to focus on fashion branding and licensing operations. His prior leadership at provided a foundational base for navigating the new entity's emphasis on . Under Rockowitz's direction, Global Brands Group pursued aggressive growth through strategic licensing agreements and portfolio expansions in the affordable segment. Key deals included securing licenses for and , alongside other brands like and , which bolstered the company's global presence in apparel and accessories. The firm also navigated acquisitions and divestitures to streamline operations, exemplified by the 2018 sale of its North American licensing business for $1.38 billion to Differential Brands Group (later renamed Centric Brands), which included high-profile licenses and generated significant revenue. These moves contributed to a 15% sales increase in the second half of 2016, positioning the company as a major player in fashion licensing. Rockowitz's tenure faced challenges from market volatility, including fluctuating consumer demand and competitive pressures in the global apparel sector, which strained profitability. He stepped down as CEO in October 2018 following the North American asset sale, transitioning to focus on restructuring efforts while remaining vice chairman until his full departure in 2019. During his leadership, Rockowitz transformed Global Brands Group into a global powerhouse, expanding its portfolio and enhancing its international footprint in licensing.

Other ventures

In 2002, Bruce Rockowitz co-founded the Pure Group, a company specializing in premium fitness, yoga, and centers, initially launching in . Under his involvement as non-executive chairman (as of 2025), the company expanded across , establishing studios and facilities in locations such as and , while also incorporating restaurant operations to complement its offerings. This growth positioned Pure Group as a key player in the region's high-end health and sector, with ongoing investments supporting further development. Since 2019, Rockowitz has served as chairman of Rock Media International (as of 2025), a focused on investments in , , and ventures. The firm has pursued opportunities in luxury lifestyle publishing, platforms, and like non-fungible tokens (NFTs), building on earlier initiatives such as the launch of Legend magazine in 2015. Rockowitz holds additional directorships in strategic advisory roles outside his core operations. He has been an independent at Wynn Macau Limited since 2009 (as of 2025), contributing to the and operator's governance amid its regional expansion. Additionally, he serves as a at Step Digital Group (as of 2025), a consultancy firm providing expertise in and .

Personal life

Marriage and family

Bruce Rockowitz met the Hong Kong-born singer in 2003, beginning a relationship that lasted nearly two decades until their separation in October 2022. After dating for eight years, they married on October 27, 2011, in a traditional Jewish ceremony held at the bar on the 100th floor of Hong Kong's . The event spanned two days, including a lavish banquet at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, with an estimated cost exceeding US$12.8 million and attendance by international celebrities such as and . The couple had no children together. Rockowitz has two adult daughters, and , from a previous marriage, and Lee embraced them as stepdaughters during their union. Details of Rockowitz's earlier remain private, reflecting his preference for discretion in family matters. The couple were reportedly planning to finalize their in July 2023. On July 5, 2023, died by suicide at age 48 in , four days after an attempt that resulted in a from which she did not recover. Rockowitz joined Lee's sisters, and , and his daughters in issuing a public tribute, describing her as "beautiful inside and out, warm and kind" and emphasizing her enduring legacy as a performer who "brought light to everyone around her." In response to subsequent rumors linking him to her death, Rockowitz stated publicly that he had "100 per cent nothing to do with her death" and affirmed the depth of their long-term bond, while underscoring their separate financial arrangements.

Residence and philanthropy

Rockowitz primarily resides in , where he has built his business career. He has been based in the city since the , maintaining a professional and personal presence there. In 2023, reports indicated that he rented a luxury on the top floor of the International Finance Centre in , for his estranged wife , featuring amenities such as a roof terrace, heated swimming pool, and barbecue area; she resided there until her death. Additionally, Rockowitz owns a home in , reflecting his ties to the as a Canadian-born businessman with connections there. This property aligns with his family's involvement in Hawaiian and his occasional presence in the region. Rockowitz has engaged in supporting , , and community initiatives, often drawing from his personal background and business networks. As a former student at the (UVM), he donated $1 million in 2013 to the UVM Honors College, establishing the Bruce Rockowitz Scholarship to aid high-achieving students from financially needy backgrounds. He stated, “I wanted to establish this scholarship to help make a UVM degree accessible and affordable to talented, driven students whose financial circumstances might otherwise prevent them from attending college.” This gift supports rigorous academic programs and has benefited multiple recipients, including those pursuing . In health-related causes, Rockowitz has been a prominent supporter of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund. He served as a Gold Sponsor in the organization's 2018-19 annual review and as a Crystal Sponsor in its 2025 initiatives, contributing to programs that provide free cancer support services, awareness campaigns, and patient care in . His involvement includes attending events, such as a 2012 banquet where he and his wife, , participated to promote during the fund's Pink Revolution campaign. Rockowitz has also supported AIDS research through , the Foundation for AIDS Research. In 2016, at the Gala in , he and purchased a painting by for $100,000, with proceeds benefiting AIDS research efforts that raised $4 million overall at the event. In , Rockowitz and his family have donated to the Hualalai 'Ohana Foundation, which provides education and healthcare programs for employees and families at the Hualalai resort community. He has been listed as a donor in the foundation's annual reports since at least 2012, including contributions noted in 2017 and ongoing support through 2024.

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