Dr. Philip Pu Zhai obtained a Ph.D. from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom in 2000 and a bachelor’s degree in Material Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University, China, in 1996.

Recently he has taken the role of President for Ascendent Capital Partners (Asia) Limited based in Hong Kong. Ascendent is a private equity firm focused on mid-market Greater China investment opportunities, managing capital for global renowned institutional investors including sovereign wealth funds, endowments, pensions, and foundations.

He has been the Chief Executive Officer of China Alpha Fund Management (HK) Limited since July 2015. Dr. Zhai has worked in the field of investment banking as Managing Director of J.P. Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Limited from September 2009 to March 2015, and as Managing Director of Macquarie (Hong Kong) Limited from May 2007 to August 2009. He has over 20 years of experience in corporate development and investment banking in the Greater China market.

Besides career life, he is currently the Director of Dalton Foundation Limited in Hong Kong, the President of Xinjiang Association of Hong Kong, the Executive Vice Chairman of Chinese Financial Association of Hong Kong, the Vice President of Tsinghua Alumni Association of Hong Kong, the Vice Chairman of Tsinghua Entrepreneurs and Executive Club, and the Director of Hong Kong-ASEAN Economic Cooperation Foundation.