Mr. Stephen Perry joined his father, the original icebreaker, aged 15 on part-time basis as a warehouseman. He went to university to study law and was elected president of UCL Students Union. Mr. Perry finished his year of office and joined the company headed by his father. He studied foreign exchange and joined the group asked by China to prepare for sales of American commodities to China immediately following President Nixon’s visit to Beijing. He flew with his parents to Beijing on April 1, 1972. It was the first of over 200 trips. From there, the three flew to the Canton Fair where they joined the experienced LEC delegation and concluded the first sales of polyester, agri chemicals, and cotton to China from the USA.

Mr. Perry concentrated on the American business during a four-year period when little happened. But he kept contact with the buyers in China and after 1977, he received a call to restart USA sales to China. These continued for the next 3 years. He was then asked by Celanese to sell their raw material for filters for cigarettes to China. He found China wanted the technology and he innovated the record-breaking deal which brought China from 3pc filters to 95pc in a record 20 years. It still stands as the greatest example of win-win and many innovative features. Due to the very large benefit to China through taxation, Vice Premier Yao Yilin oversaw the contract and implementation.

Mr. Perry has touched everything from football to bridge to musicals. He has studied the Chinese system more than any other business person wanting to understand the scientific method and the party system.