Symington W. Smith
MSc AKC FRAS
Symington 'Sai' Smith is a British-Chinese American corporate executive and investor.
Smith began his award-winning career at Ogilvy, then as a civil servant at the Cabinet Office in the U.K. and Baker McKenzie as a founding member of its China Practice in London. In 2022, Smith became one of the youngest elected directors of a public company in NASDAQ history, serving for two years.
An elected fellow of five Royal Societies, Smith has spoken at Harvard and Tsinghua, and appeared in the U.K. Parliament, Voice of America, Elle, Tatler, The National Interest, Guest of A Guest, The New York Social Diary, and more.
Smith received Tatler's 'Leader of Tomorrow' award alongside Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu, The National Association of Asian-American Professionals' 'Inspire' award, and the British government's 'Study U.K.' award in Business & Innovation for his corporate leadership.
Smith is a trustee of the New York Military Academy and Arden Estate, and a member of the National Committee on US-China Relations and the Yale Club of New York City. Fluent in English, Chinese, and Swedish, he was educated at Peking University, Tsinghua University, King's College London, and Yale, where he was an Irene Trowell-Harris Scholar.
Publications & News
What People Are Saying
“A sane voice on US-China Relations.”
— Kishore Mahbubani, President of the U.N. Security Council, 2001-2002. Dean, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore
“One of the few individuals I know who has a deep and authentic understanding of both China and the United States. If you are looking to consult an expert on how things actually work in China as compared to conventional Western imaginations of China, he’s the one.”
— Ashton Ng, Cambridge Trust Scholar, University of Cambridge
“A man of wide knowledge, outstanding intellect, sharpness, wit, imposing stature and presence.”
— William Lindesay OBE, Conservationist and Founder, Wildwall
“Symington's success and the recognition conferred on him is a testament to his hard work and commitment, but also a symbol of the immense importance of engaging with, studying, and understanding Asia and Asian cultures generally. I hope that his example inspires many others to follow in his footsteps.”
— Prof. Kerry Brown, Director of the Lau China Institute, King’s College London
“Professional, mature, and a profound thinker. Symington is an incredible asset and has the tenacity and diligence required to succeed as a world leader, innovator, and global advocate.”
— Zeel Patel & Eric Lin, Co-Presidents of the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations, Harvard University
“With excellent work and successes in promoting environmental and social sustainability in China, Symington is a prominent leader in inspiring activism and collaboration in a cross-cultural context.”
— Dr. Xin Sun, Lecturer in Chinese and East Asian Business, King’s College London
On stage hosting the Harvard China Forum at Harvard College, 2023
Visiting Ye Qing, Chairman of Yeshi Enterprises and Member of the Economic Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, in Beijing, 2021.
With academy award-nominee, actress Zhang Ziyi in Beijing, 2018.
With Eric Trump, Executive VP of the Trump Organization and second son of former President Donald J. Trump, at our New York offices, 2021.
With Dame Karen Pierce, U.K. Ambassador to the U.S., and Brig. Gen. James Coote at the British Ambassador's Residence in Washington D.C., 2024.
With my friend David H. Mortimer, a great conservator and great-grandson of railroad magnate E.H. Harriman, New York, 2024.
With Ambassador of Luxembourg to China, Marc Hubsch at a farewell party in Beijing, 2023.
Hosting a $2.5B AUM venture capital panel featuring Zhang Lu, Founder of Fusion Fund; Eric Rosenblum, Managing Partner of Foothill Ventures; and Anis Uzzaman, CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures, at the Harvard China Forum, 2023.
With Consul General Huang Ping and my close friend, Angela Chen, Chair of the New York Philharmonic Advisory Board, at the Chinese Consulate in New York, 2022.
Featured in Tatler Asia, making the Gen.T List in 2020.
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