On 25 June 2025, I had the honour of delivering the guest speech at LEH Foshan’s Secondary Prize Giving Ceremony — an annual occasion that celebrates not just academic achievement, but effort, character, and the potential that lies ahead for every young person in the room.

LEH Foshan is part of Lady Eleanor Holles, one of Britain’s most distinguished independent schools. To be invited to speak to their students — young people being educated with a genuinely global perspective at one of the finest British international schools in China — was something I took seriously and was deeply grateful for.

My thanks to Principal Jane Arden and the school leadership for the kind invitation.

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The following is the full text of my guest speech:

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Good morning everyone,

It’s a real honour to join you today at LEH Foshan for this year’s Secondary Prize Giving Ceremony. Thank you to Jane Arden and the entire school leadership for the kind invitation, and congratulations in advance to all the students being recognised this morning.

Ceremonies like this are a celebration not just of achievement, but of effort, character, and potential. And it’s that idea of potential — of what lies ahead — that I’d like to talk about today.

Let me begin by sharing a little of my own journey.

I’m originally from the United Kingdom. I came to China when I was just 20 years old, and what started as a gap year with my dad in Guangzhou turned into a life-changing move. I didn’t have a detailed plan. What I had was curiosity, a deep interest in different cultures, and the hope that I could do something meaningful.

That was over 20 years ago.

Since then, I’ve built a career in China as an entrepreneur and business leader. Today I’m the CFO of a British manufacturing group, and I also have the privilege of serving as Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in South China. But titles aside, what really drives me — and what I hope to share with you — is a belief in purpose.

In 2011, I founded a social enterprise focused on supporting children in need here in South China. We’ve since raised over USD 450,000 to support vulnerable youth — from providing educational resources to underprivileged school children and orphans, to tuition programmes for children living with autism, to creating safe spaces where they can thrive. I remain proud to still serve today as Chairman of that organisation.

In 2019, this work was recognised with the UN China Social Impact Award for Community and Culture. Now, I’m not telling you all this just to share what I’ve done. I’m sharing it to say: this all started with a spark of hope.

Word one: hope.

In our world today, hope can feel like a luxury — something fragile, maybe even naïve. But I want you to hear this clearly: hope is not naïve. It is one of the most powerful decisions you can make.

Hope is what gets a student to raise their hand with a new idea. It’s what gets an entrepreneur to take a risk. It’s what keeps a community going when times are tough.

I want to share something personal with you. I was expected to receive AAA for my A-levels. Due to a horrific incident, I only achieved CCD — meaning I couldn’t go to any university of my choice. Hope was what brought me to China. Every challenge I faced, every setback, I got through it not because I had all the answers, but because I chose to keep believing in something better.

That’s what I encourage each of you to do.

When people say, “it’s too hard” or “that can’t be done,” be the person who says: “Let’s try anyway.”

Your dreams are valid. Your ideas matter. And the world needs you to hope.

Word two: peace.

We often think of peace as something political or far away — but peace starts right here: in our relationships, in how we treat others, in how we respond to differences.

Peace is about choosing understanding over judgment. It’s about critical thinking and listening more than we speak. And it’s about creating space for others to feel safe, heard, and valued.

As you continue through school and into your futures, you will have moments where you can be the peacemaker — in your teams, your friendships, your communities. And I can promise you: those choices will be some of the most important ones you make.

Word three: cooperation.

It’s no accident that this school places such strong emphasis on global awareness. The world is more connected than ever — but true international collaboration requires empathy, openness, and integrity.

In my work across continents, I’ve seen the power of partnerships — people from different countries and cultures coming together to solve problems and build meaningful progress. That starts with the kind of mindset you’re learning here at LEH Foshan.

So embrace that global perspective. Ask questions. Learn from others. Look beyond borders — and be proud of who you are, but also be curious about who others are.

To close.

I made the journey here this morning because I believe deeply in you — the next generation. We, the adults, your teachers, we are here today. But you are the future. And it’s our responsibility to support you as you pursue your hopes, your dreams, and your goals.

Whether you go on to be scientists, designers, teachers, engineers, artists, or entrepreneurs — hold onto your values. Stay kind. Stay open. And never stop hoping.

There is no greater purpose than helping others, no greater impact than lifting your community, and no greater legacy than building a more peaceful and connected world.

As you say here at LEH: Hope Favours the Bold.

Thank you, and congratulations again to every student being recognised today. You’ve achieved something special — and there is so much more ahead.

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Mark Clayton FCMA CGMA CPA KOR — Group CFO, C2W Group | Chairman, British Chamber of Commerce South China | Founder, Come Together Community