Frank Hawke

Director, Greater China, Stanford University Graduate School of Business

Frank has over 33 years of commercial and non-profit experience in China. In his current position, he coordinates the business school’s activities in Greater China. Before joining Stanford, he ran the Asian operations for the International Potato Center (CIP), a non-profit research organization focusing on the entire roots and tubers value chain.

Previously, Frank ran his own consulting firm, Old Pueblo Associates, assisting companies in mapping out and executing business strategies in China and solving problems they encounter throughout their China endeavors. From 2005 to 2009, he was Chairman Greater China at Kroll, focusing on marketing and executing due diligence mandates and investigations into corruption and non-compliance for Chinese and non-Chinese clients.

In the early 1980s, as a consultant, Frank assisted numerous firms in concluding landmark early deals in China, including the Great Wall Hotel, China’s first joint venture, and the Beijing Jeep Corporation. His financial services experience includes both commercial and investment banking. From 1988 to 1994 at Citibank, he served as Beijing Chief Representative, WCG Group Head (serving multinational clients) in Taiwan, and Indochina Head, during which he re-established Citibank in Vietnam.

Frank has also served on the boards of two Chinese banks and currently sits on the board of a large Chinese insurance company as well as its asset management subsidiary.

From 1994 to 1997 Frank was Head of Investment Banking for Salomon Brothers China; he led origination and execution teams for cross-border equity and debt transactions as well as corporate financings for Chinese and non-Chinese clients. IMC Global, the world’s largest producer of phosphate and potassium fertilizers, hired him in 1997 to serve as president of their Asia subsidiary. His mandate was to map the fertilizer value chain in China, identify potential acquisition targets, facilitate due diligence and valuation efforts, and lead negotiations with relevant regulatory and ownership constituencies.

Specialties:
Negotiations, strategy, risk evaluation, government relations, problem-solving, cross-cultural communications, executive search, corporate governance