35 Year Anniversary Interview - Tom Ros

Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us what brought you to Hong Kong?
My name is Tom Ros, and I’m the founder and CEO of Techpro Group Ltd. In January 1999, my beautiful wife, our two kids, and I moved to Hong Kong to establish our company. In time, our third child was born here in 2003, making Hong Kong not just the place where we built our business, but also a true part of our family story.

At the time, our knowledge of Hong Kong and Asia was limited. We knew we were moving somewhere in Asia, but we had no network and no clear sense of where to begin. With that in mind, joining the Dutch Business Association, as it was known then, was a natural first step. It helped us connect, find our footing, and grow alongside the community.

Over the past 27 years, we’ve continued to enjoy life in Hong Kong greatly, and we have every intention of staying. The funny thing is that, when we started this chapter, I had to promise my wife that this adventure would be only for one year. Looking back, it’s safe to say that promise didn’t hold, and thankfully, we’re still here.

How did your connection with the Chamber develop over time?
I joined the DBA in 1999, and it quickly became an important part of both my business and social life. Through the association, we met many friends as well as valuable business contacts. It was a very welcoming environment, and at the same time, it helped us build the network we needed. Looking back, it was not only useful but also enjoyable, and I think that combination is what made it so valuable to us.

How would you describe the Chamber’s evolution since you first became a member?
Over time, the Chamber became more professional. The Dutch Business Association had a more relaxed feel, while today’s Dutch Chamber is more structured and professional. That said, the connection with the Consul General was always there from the beginning, and I think that remains one of the Chamber’s strengths. The biggest changes, in my view, have been around communication and presentation, especially with the rise of multimedia, but the core purpose of the Chamber has stayed consistent.

What are some of your most memorable experiences with the Chamber?
One of the highlights for me was when Techpro Group was nominated for the Cathay Pacific China Trade Award in 2000. We had only just arrived in Hong Kong in 1999, and within half a year we were already being recognized for our efforts. That nomination came through Jochem Haakma, who was Consul General at the time. He told me, quite candidly, that we were a “very Dutch” company: too modest, too Calvinistic, and not quite good enough at promoting ourselves. He encouraged us to put ourselves forward and endorsed the company for the following award year. When we ultimately won, it was a deeply meaningful milestone. It wasn’t just a business achievement; it felt like a strong validation that we had found our place in Hong Kong and that our work was truly being seen.

Another memorable moment was seeing our company featured in the Dutch Business Association magazine, which was created by Cyril Durup. That kind of recognition helped us build credibility and visibility during the early years, when we were still learning the landscape and growing our network.

More recently, our company has received recognition through sustainability-related awards. These achievements matter to us because they reflect our long-term commitment to responsible growth, not only what we do today, but how we do it. Collectively, these moments have meant a great deal to our family and our team, and they continue to inspire us.

What has stood out to you most about the Chamber’s events and activities?
The China Seminar has always been one of my favourite events. I attended many of the Chamber’s activities in the early years because I wanted to get to know the association properly and build my network. Even now, I still think the Chamber organises many worthwhile events, especially those connected to SMEs and company visits. I’ve always enjoyed visiting factories and seeing how different businesses operate, and I think that kind of experience is valuable for people from all backgrounds, not just those directly involved in production.

What would you like to see from the Chamber in the years ahead?
I think the Chamber is doing a good job, and it remains a friendly and approachable association. If I could suggest one thing, it would be to organise more company visits and factory visits, especially in China. Those experiences are practical, interesting, and educational. I also think the Chamber is right to continue working more closely with other Chambers and organisations, because cooperation gives everyone more reach and more opportunities. In that sense, I think the Chamber is moving in the right direction.

I also believe that younger people bring new energy, and that’s incredibly important. Their communication style is different, especially through social media and digital platforms. Of course, that brings both opportunities and challenges, but it also makes it necessary to adapt.

My own son joined the company 6 years ago, and he brings fresh ideas and real enthusiasm. Not every idea will be implemented, and that’s fine, but the energy itself is valuable. For the Chamber to continue evolving, I think it needs a strong mix of experience and new thinking.