Season 1 Episode 3: Brad Chan, Startup hub founder and CEO of Banna Property Group
Born in Australian to Chinese parents who were educated in Australia – but who came from Papua New Guinea – Brad says he wasn’t surrounded by many Asian traditions while he was growing up. Now Brad is founder of HaymarketHQ, a startup hub with a particular focus on helping startups grow into Asian markets. The hub also provides space for events and talks around subjects such as innovation, business in Asia and promoting culturally diverse leadership.
He is also CEO of Banna Property Group, a third generation family business with a vision to transform its shopping centres into community hubs. Brad also acts as a mentor to both startups as well as individuals and retains a personal interest in angel investing.
Previously, he was president of the Haymarket Chamber of Commerce for five years, sat on the City of Sydney Chinese New Year Advisory Committee and was the first president of the Australian Asian Association of Bennelong. He is currently a board director of Northcross Limited and is involved with community and local government committees. In 2018, he joined the board of DAWN, a purpose-led business with a vision to build culturally diverse leaders in the future. In 2016, he established the Banna Foundation, the family group’s philanthropy arm which currently supports a range of charities.
Brad has a Bachelor in Applied Science (Land Economics), Post-Graduate Diploma in Finance and Investment, Masters in Real Estate and Masters of Town Planning. He is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.