An authentic Hong Kong hero dies…
He addressed pro-democracy demonstrators during the city’s 2014 Umbrella Movement, speaking in favour of a “free market in leadership”.
The activist investor also criticised Hong Kong authorities during the city’s huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019.
In one of his last public appearances, Webb warned in May 2025 that the rise of authoritarianism in Hong Kong had threatened its core economic model.
The RTHK story puts it more coyly, saying he…
…[advocated for] transparency as well as better corporate and economic governance.
I used to have lunch with him occasionally at the HK Club (he wasn’t an adventurous eater). Although geeky, he was down-to-earth and very smart. He annoyed – indeed, sometimes massively pissed off – all the right people.
His Webbsite has been reopened by a medical tech outfit. Hopefully, they will be able to keep it going. David had at least one, if not two, assistants going through corporate accounts updating all the info. Not sure if all that work can be automated.
Rest In Peace. I already miss David Webb
Authentic HK hero. Indeed. RIP
He left HK a better place and we are all poorer for his passing.
RIP David Webb
Sad news indeed. We will remember him.
Another layer of the onion is peeled back: Hemlock is a member of the HK Club. (or maybe just a free-loading lunch companion)
One of Hong Kong’s good guys. I’d tune into Backchat whenever he was a guest, even though I gave up on RTHK some time ago. Very sad that he’s gone, and at a comparatively young age.
Early supper at your club followed by Star Ferry to HK Phil concerts, joining my club’s 2013 charity ball table and dancing vigorously to Huey Lewis & The News, leading several of the reels at our wedding in Scotland (you generously arranged for us to have lessons at your other club so we’d not be embarrassed), and of course those summer 2019 Sunday afternoon strolls from Causeway Bay to Central. It was a privilege knowing you, David.
@Frederique
David Webb paid for the lunch; he was a member of the HK Club.