In our latest edition of Alumni Spotlight, the Circle team caught up with Kwek Hyen Yong, CEO of FengHe Fund Management Group. Read on to find out about Hyen Yong’s KPMG experience, how it has shaped his professional journey, and his words of wisdom to the new generation of KPMG professionals.
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Hello Hyen Yong! Tell us about yourself.
I am currently the Chief Executive Officer of FengHe Fund Management Group, where I oversee our businesses across hedge funds and venture capital. I joined FengHe in 2011 as part of the pioneer team, initially heading the venture capital investment arm, and subsequently helped establish and grow our hedge fund business from the ground up.
From right: Kwek Hyen Yong with Peter Lim, KPMG’s Head of Alumni Relations
We understand that you were a KPMG scholar. Could you share about your experience in KPMG?
I was fortunate to receive the KPMG Scholarship in 1999 for my studies and became part of the 2002 graduate intake, which included many talented and driven individuals who have gone on to do amazing things and build successful careers. I chose to join
KPMG because of its strong professional reputation and the opportunity to learn from some of the best businesses among KPMG’s clients. During my time with the firm, I was part of the Financial Services Audit team (then known as Unit K1), where I mostly worked on clients including global banks and other listed companies.
It was an intense but formative period – I learned a great deal about real-world businesses, as well as their underlying financial systems, internal controls and risk management practices. More importantly, I had the privilege of working alongside teammates who were not just capable, but also incredibly generous in sharing their time and knowledge.
How has your time in KPMG contributed to your career growth and development?
KPMG instilled in me a strong sense of discipline, attention to detail, and professional integrity – qualities that have stayed with me throughout my career. The solid foundation and technical skills I gained gave me a strong advantage as I transitioned into investment banking and later, fund management. Just as importantly, KPMG nurtured a collaborative and performance-driven culture that taught me how to work well with colleagues, and manage clients and other stakeholders under pressure.
What are your thoughts on how your career has panned out?
If I had to point to a key achievement, it would be the solid foundation that KPMG gave me in preparing me for the rest of my career! After KPMG, I had the opportunity to move into investment banking roles, where I specialised in corporate finance advisory. Those years sharpened my advisory and dealmaking capabilities as I worked on private equity investments, IPOs and M&A transactions across Asia, particularly in China.
Joining FengHe in 2011 was a turning point. It gave me the chance to apply everything I had learned at KPMG and through my subsequent investment banking experiences. Back then we were a small team based in Singapore and Shanghai, and I was extremely fortunate to work alongside great mentors at FengHe. They gave me the opportunity to prove myself and take on leadership responsibilities. Looking back at the ups and downs, it has been a fulfilling journey of growth, entrepreneurship and resilience.
What do you miss most about being in KPMG?
I miss the camaraderie and energy of the KPMG team – especially the sense of shared purpose during peak periods! One memory that stands out is my first major audit at a global bank. It was both intense and challenging, but the learning curve was exponential! The late nights and the occasional team “happy hours” – those were
formative experiences that taught me how to remain optimistic, maintain perseverance, think fast, and deliver quality under pressure, on time.
Catching up with former colleagues
What are some nuggets of wisdom that you would give to the new generation of KPMG professionals?
Be curious, be humble and always strive for excellence. Learn as much as you can from the people around you, and don’t underestimate the value of foundational skills. In today’s world, where everything moves fast, depth still matters. Always take ownership – treat every assignment like it’s your own business. That mindset will take you far wherever your path leads.
What does “Be in Front” mean to you?
To “Be in Front” means having the initiative and courage to think ahead, to lead and adapt, and to manage risks. In my industry, we are constantly navigating uncertainty and market volatility to be ahead of our competition. To stay in front, we must commit to continuous learning, embrace innovation and have the discipline to prepare when others are reactive.
Finally, if you were to meet your younger self for coffee, what would you tell him?
I will probably bring him out for a “happy hour” beer instead of coffee, and tell him: “You’re doing okay – stay humble and work hard, the rest will follow. Also, take care of your knees and enjoy competitive football while you still can – you’re going to miss it more than you think!”
