Carson Yeung Ka Sing (Chinese: 楊家誠) is a businessman from Hong Kong. He is the chairman and an executive director of Grandtop International Holdings, an investment, entertainment and sportswear firm registered in the Cayman Islands,^[1] and also director of Universal Energy Resources Holdings and Universal Management Consultancy Ltd.^[2]

Originally trained as a hairdresser, he is believed to have made his fortune investing in penny stocks. He then co-founded Greek Mythology, a luxury casino in Macau. He was also once the head of a human resources department at a gas company.^[3]

[edit] Sports ownership

He was the chairman of Hong Kong First Division outfit Hong Kong Rangers from 2005 to 2006^[1]. In 2005 he made an £80,000 donation to the local football association after buying shirts worn by famous English footballers at auction.^[3]

In 2007, he unsuccessfully attempted to take over Birmingham City.^[4] Carson Yeung failed to deliver the money for the takeover by the deadline of 30th November 2007 and as a result the takeover bid fell through. He was responsible for the club's U-Turn on the contract offered to manager Steve Bruce in May 2007, which led to Bruce's decision to resign from the club and move to Wigan Athletic F.C. of November that year.^[5]

On 12 August 2009, Birmingham City confirmed that Yeung's Grandtop International Holdings held 29.9% of the club's shares and had made a further offer.^[6]

On 21 August 2009, it was reported that Yeung's Grandtop International Holdings had made an offer of £81.51 million for Birmingham City Football Club.^[7] In a report by Hong Kong Standard on 25 August 2009, Yeung has offered £57 million (HK$729 million) to buy newly promoted Birmingham City, and has reportedly promised the club's manager Alex McLeish £5 million to buy new players. His Hong Kong-listed Grandtop International already has a 29.9 percent stake in the club. He said the firm would raise HK$785 million for the acquisition through a rights issue. Yeung is also hoping the acquisition will open up opportunities for him to expand and diversify his business, especially in the mainland.^[8]

Former footballer Steve McManaman is also an executive director of Grandtop International Holdings, while Christian Karembeu is a non-executive director of the group.^[1]

On 6 October 2009, Yeung completed his protracted takeover of Birmingham City F.C.^[9]

On 29 October 2009, Carson Yeung's backroom team held a fan meeting at a Cantonese restaurant in Birmingham which had been organised by BRMB presenter Tom Ross. The meeting was organised due to the fact that many Birmingham fans had been sceptical about Yeung's failed previous bid the board showed their commitment and passion for the club by agreeing to this event.

[edit] References