Derek Sulger

Chairman Shanghai Tang

Derek Sulger and his co-owner, Jerry Mao, have redefined how the world’s fastest-growing segment of luxury consumers—young, globally minded, and culturally fluent—engage with taste, art, and experiences through their ecosystem of businesses.

Under their ownership and visionary leadership, SHANGHAI TANG, a heritage fashion house, has been reborn as a modern expression of Eastern elegance, cultural authenticity, and global relevance. Their ecosystem also includes the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, China’s leading independent art institution, which they have expanded into a constellation of four museums with growing global influence and importance. Additionally, it encompasses UNMI, a hospitality group creating culturally authentic, ultra-premium restaurants and experiences, initially established in China, Japan, and the UAE, and now expanding beyond through their own brands and collaborations with global luxury houses such as Louis Vuitton and Golden Goose. Recently, they also launched Nocturne, a hotel development group designed to extend their brands and experiences into destinations that blend architecture, cuisine, and curated programming for a generation seeking more than just accommodation.

Jerry and Derek believe that, in an increasingly commoditised and digitised world, the future lies in creating experiences. They do not follow the traditional evolution of luxury brands—from product to brand to cultural positioning. Instead, they have reversed the playbook, beginning with deep investment in culture, then expanding into lifestyle, and later into luxury products. By doing so, they prioritise meaning before merchandise—soft assets before hard products.

Previously, Derek founded Linktone, one of China’s earliest NASDAQ-listed mobile internet businesses; Intrinsic, a telecommunications software company; and SmartPay JIeyin, a mobile payments business. For his role in founding these ventures, he is widely recognised as one of the earliest successful “new wave” internet entrepreneurs in China.

Derek began his career with Goldman Sachs in New York and London after graduating from Harvard University.