Panocean Group specialises in the formation of companies, for investment as well as commercial purposes, and also offers a range of secretarial services to institutions, legal and accounting firms, and individuals, across the world.
The company was founded in 1988, with Juliana To and Gilbert Chau becoming its co-directors in 1994. Together To and Chau have presided over its growth into a commercially successful business. But it is some of Panocean’s other activities that have been acknowledged by its nomination for the CSR Award at the Enterprising Hong Kong Awards 2015.
“From the start of our business we have always donated to various charities,” To said. “Initially, this was usually to those providing emergency relief. But after the [Indian Ocean] tsunami in 2004 our approach to corporate social responsibility took a major step forward.”
The company now gives regular donations to a long list of worthy causes - from Medecins Sans Frontieres to smaller local charities such as Benji’s Centre, which provides speech therapy to children from low-income families. Alongside this, Panocean still supports specific international disaster relief funds such as the World Vision Hong Kong Syrian Refugee Response and the Oxfam Hong Kong Ebola Crisis.
But the management and staff of the company are willing to give more than money to help others.
“We are also seriously involved in offering services, such as home visits to the underprivileged or to sick children,” To explained. “We try to understand what they need and, within our capabilities, we try to help.
“We also encourage our employees to actively participate. Fortunately, all our staff fully support our projects and are not only willing to take part in home visits during their leisure time, they also work harder so we can donate more to the needy.”
