CEO Insights Magazine

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, industry leaders must possess unique skills and traits to drive success. They must be visionary, adaptable, and deeply understand financial management and digital innovation. Danny Ho exemplifies these qualities as an accomplished professional with over two decades of experience in financial and general management, as well as consumer journey digitalization.

Currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer, Executive Director, and member of the Executive Committee & Risk Management Committee at Sa Sa International Holdings Limited (‘'Sa Sa'’), Danny's expertise has proven invaluable in leading the company's financial strategy and digital transformation initiatives. With his impressive track record as CFO of UMP Healthcare Holdings Limited, a Partner with good understanding of consumer markets in KPMG and his role in the digital transformation of Diageo's subsidiary, Sichuan Swellfun Co., Ltd, Danny Ho is a true industry leader, bringing a wealth of expertise to Sa Sa. In an exclusive interaction with CEO Insights Asia, Danny Ho shares more about his professional traits and provides valuable insights into Sa Sa.

Could you give a brief account of your professional background? What is the motivation that fuels your daily routines?

I have over 20 years of experience in local and overseas financial and general management and consumer journey digitalization. I spent over 12 years with KPMG, serving as a Partner in their Consumer Markets division and working with prestigious clients like Cathay Pacific. Additionally, I spent nine years in China, where I served as an Executive Board member and CFO, building a Baijiu brand and business.

I am motivated by challenges and the journey in leading a team to overcome them. I thrive in ambiguous and uncertain situations, which bring out the best in me. The process of charting a path and making decisions that lead to pleasing results, often surprising ourselves, is what drives me- ‘If you think you can, you can!’.

How would you define Sa Sa International Holdings Limited as an organization and its current position in the market?

Sa Sa is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year and has established itself as the market leader in the beauty industry in Asia with over 190 stores in the region. The company differentiates itself by positioning itself as a one-stop beauty specialty platform, offering professional, quality, and trending skincare, color cosmetics, and fragrance products. Sa Sa's commitment to ‘making life beautiful’ sets it apart from the competition. To meet the evolving needs of customers, Sa Sa has expanded its offerings to include inner beauty, personal care products, and beauty equipment, aiming to diversify its sales mix.

As the Group CFO, how do you determine the profitability of an investment of the company?

As a qualified accountant with over 12 years in a Big 4 firm, I am able to understand the ramifications of business decisions from a multitude of angles, and hence I am very well placed to act as caretaker of the company. When evaluating investments, I consider both financial and non-financial factors. Financial analysis includes measures such as sales, margin, cash flow, and lifetime value, among others. Non-financial considerations encompass brand equity, data strategy, CRM, strategic fit, risk, and compliance. The timeframe of the investment and its potential to enhance shareholder value are also critical factors in my assessment.

Tell us about your leadership approach and the guidelines you follow to lead your team.

I believe that diversity adds value by bringing in individuals who think differently and can challenge groupthink. Companies that cannot innovate and adapt to change are bound to fail. As a leader, I focus not only on running the company of today but also on creating the company of tomorrow. I embrace transformational leadership and motivate my team to reach new heights. My emphasis is on the future, change, and people, guiding them by instilling belief and charting a course to provide direction.

What future destination are you heading towards?

With my experience in consumer journey digitalization, my goal is to accelerate the development of online-merge-offline (OMO) strategies at Sa Sa, aiming to create long-term value for our stakeholders and expand our market share. I am also building Sa Sa as a platform and an ideal partner for brands seeking a presence in Asia and effectively communicating their brand story. Embracing the omnichannel shopping habits of consumers and adopting retail tech to enhance their journey are integral to our future plans.

Danny Ho, Executive Director & CFO, Sa Sa International Holdings

Danny Ho is an accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in financial and general management and consumer journey digitalization. As the Chief Financial Officerat Sa Sa International Holdings Limited, Danny brings a wealth of expertise to the company. Danny possesses a strong foundation of knowledge with a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Accounting from the University of Liverpool, a Chartered Accountant qualification, and an EMBA from Kellogg-HKUST. With his impressive track record, strong educational background, and active involvement in industry associations, such as the Hong Kong Retail Management Association, Danny Ho stands as a visionary CFO and industry leader.

• Hobbies: Baby daughter, gym, running,reading

• Favorite Cuisine: Fish and chips

• Favorite Book: Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

• Favorite Travel Destination: Rome

• Awards & Recognition: Hong Kong Investor Relations Association - Investor Relations Awards 2023 Best IR by IR Team Best IR Company Best Annual Report Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants - Best Corporate Governance and ESG Awards 2022 Special Mention for Corporate Governance in the Non-Hang Seng Index (Small Market Capitalization) Category