When Norman Sze entered HKU in 1981, his ambition was simple: earn a degree and become an accountant—a “professional” in the eyes of others. But after two years in the industry, he found himself among the few not promoted. Several entrepreneurial ventures later, having exhausted his savings and faced disappointment, Norman reflects, “Looking back, I have no regrets. If I were in the same position now, I’d make the same decisions.”
Decades later, those early struggles are both a source of humour and a reminder of how far he has come. Where he faced setbacks in one area, he found success in another—becoming a pioneer in management consulting, a leading figure in financial consulting, and one of the first to explore opportunities in Chinese Mainland.
In 2017, Norman established the HKU Beijing Alumni Network, serving as its founding President. In recognition of his achievements and contributions to alumni relations, the University awarded him an Honorary Fellowship in 2021. “Stay true to your original intentions and don’t be too fixated on goals—that’s how you achieve success,” Norman reflects.
Where the Dream Began
Norman’s journey to HKU from St. Paul’s Co-educational College was unremarkable on paper—he ranked in the middle of his class. Watching his classmates pursue prestigious professions, Norman shared the same aspiration: to become a professional. “My grades were average, and I didn’t want to take risks, so I aimed for something that would get me into HKU and allow me to study accountancy.”
University life brought a freedom he’d never experienced before. “I realised there were so many things to try, and I could make my own decisions. I joined over a dozen interest groups, took part in various activities, met all sorts of people, and tutored to earn some extra cash—I tried everything I could.”
The biggest surprise came at the end of his first year: out of more than 300 students, Norman unexpectedly ranked first in his class. “You don’t always achieve what you work so hard for, but sometimes, when you don’t try too hard, success just finds you.”
Lessons from University
Norman jokes that he tried everything at university except dating. With the prestige of topping his class, he was soon invited to become President of the Management Society and organised a visit to the then-nascent Shenzhen University in 1984. He had no idea this experience would lay the groundwork for his connection to the Chinese Mainland.
Looking back, Norman says university taught him three key lessons: making choices, communication, and humility. “Many things in life come down to choices. I was a science student and dreaded writing, but learning how to communicate is very important. And as a university student, I had to learn how to be humble.”
He also discovered the importance of tolerance and adaptability. “At that time, university students were seen as the elite, so I had to learn how to be humble, which is actually quite difficult. I learned to listen, accept differences, and be open to new experiences.”
Finding the Right Path
After graduation, Norman joined an accounting firm, passed 18 professional exams, but realised accountancy wasn’t his calling. “Of the twenty-two colleagues who joined with me, I was one of the three who didn’t get promoted.” He tried entrepreneurship—launching a jewellery retail venture and starting a company to help SMEs set up factories—but these ended badly. After depleting his savings and losing money in the stock market, he returned to work as a financial manager, then considered returning to school and investment banking, but job applications went unanswered.
He describes this period as starting from scratch, with the future uncertain. “I was definitely unhappy, but not overwhelmed by it; I knew deep down how well I was performing. I realised I had no real interest in accounting; my focus was different from what a true accountant needed.”
A Turning Point
The turning point came in 1994, when Arthur Andersen—who had previously passed him over—invited him to join their new management consulting team. “I discovered that I actually preferred consulting.” Norman relocated to Shanghai as General Manager, advising state-owned enterprises and helping multinational companies navigate local regulations.
He went on to become a partner at Andersen, Vice President at KPMG, and then Partner in charge of Deloitte’s management consulting in China, eventually becoming Vice Chairman of Deloitte China. Norman attributes his success to persistence and self-understanding: “In 1994, I committed to consulting because I believed it had value, and I remained steadfast.”
His work took him across China, from Shanghai to Hainan, and exposed him to a wide range of industries and challenges. “Consulting firms operate outside institutional structures, which gives them flexibility to help Chinese firms develop further,” he explains.
Building the Beijing Alumni Network
In 2014, Norman moved to Beijing and reconnected with his alma mater. What began as a plan to host a High Table Dinner became the HKU Beijing Alumni Network, officially established in 2017 with Norman as President. The network has grown to over 3,000 members, organising more than 50 events each year and serving as a bridge between Beijing and Hong Kong.
Norman’s guiding principle is the “four Cs”: connect with alumni, connect with your alma mater, connect with other alumni associations, and connect with society. From the outset, he intentionally brought together alumni from various faculties, professional backgrounds, and age groups, hoping to reflect the diversity and inclusiveness of the university community.
He admits he never expected the alumni association to last a decade or to develop as it has. “I hope our activities can truly benefit alumni. They don’t have to be numerous, but they should be of high quality. We should deepen and professionalise our current activities. At the same time, we need to collaborate with our alma mater on impactful initiatives—supporting the University while engaging with it in a two-way manner.”
Honours and Responsibilities
In 2021, Norman was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by HKU, recognising his distinguished career and contributions to the alumni family and the University. He reflects that this honour reminds him of the surprise of being top of his class in his first year. “Sometimes when you push for something, you don’t achieve it, but when you maintain a calm approach and just do your work, your efforts are noticed. Receiving the fellowship means I have to do even more; there’s a sense of mission that comes with it.”
Life is for Experiencing
Since retiring, Norman has devoted more time to the alumni association and joined the HKU Entrepreneurship Super Angel Network as a coach and donor. Reflecting on his past entrepreneurial failures, he says, “Without these experiences, I wouldn’t have learnt from challenges. Life is about experiencing things. If you haven’t encountered setbacks, you miss out on learning. Some pain should be embraced as opportunities for growth.”
“For the past forty years, I’ve worked in various fields and encountered new things every day. The faster I adapt, the less likely I am to be left behind. I’ve learnt how to adapt and go with the flow.”
What If…
Editor: Looking back at your university years, what advice would you give your younger self?
Norman: Do more exercise! I should have balanced my life better and focused more on my choices.
(Editor’s note: Norman is now a qualified personal trainer, and health management is part of his daily routine.)
