Mary Ma Xuezheng, who retired in May after 17 years with computer maker Lenovo Group, has found a new home as partner and managing director in Hong Kong of United States-based private-equity investment firm TPG.
One of the mainland's highest-profile businesswomen, Ms Ma, 54, is expected to provide a big boost to TPG's investment strategy in China. The global buyout company is also a stakeholder in Lenovo, the world's third-largest personal computer supplier.
Ms Ma, who left Lenovo after serving as its chief financial officer since 2000, said she relished her new role at TPG even if accepting the job meant cutting her retirement short.
'After a period of time relaxing, I felt I needed to do something that would leverage my strengths and experience as an executive, and provide me with the opportunity to help Chinese companies,' Ms Ma told the South China Morning Post yesterday.
'I have long appreciated the unique ability of private equity to help companies enhance their operations, efficiency and profitability, and grow to realise their full potential. It has just been two days since I joined [TPG], so I still have a lot of work to do.'
At TPG, Ms Ma will focus on the company's mainland business and will be responsible for generating investment opportunities, advising portfolio companies and management teams on strategic and operating issues, and building relationships with the country's business leaders.