Remembering Dr Lee Kai Hung CBE DL
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of honorary alumnus and friend of Manchester Metropolitan University, Dr Lee Kai Hung CBE DL.
A successful businessman, philanthropist and civic leader, Dr Lee received an honorary award of Doctor of Letters from Manchester Met in 2023 in recognition of his significant contribution to business, commitment to the Manchester Chinese community, and support of education and cultural exchange.
Dr Lee passed away peacefully on September 20, 2025. In keeping with his wishes for a private family farewell, a funeral was held on October 30 at Hong Kong Funeral Home.
Born and educated in Hong Kong, Dr Lee came to Manchester in 1979 to explore business opportunities in the region.
Since then, he gave his time and resource to support, and improve the lives, of individuals and communities in both China and Manchester – including making significant donations to RHS Garden Bridgewater and The University of Manchester.
Dr Lee was one of the first supporters of Manchester Met’s First Generation programme – a programme that supports young people from the North West who are among the first in their family to progress to university – and in 2020 he made a significant donation to support a new programme of scholarships and bursaries at the University.
In 2003, he was made a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, and in 2022, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours for services to Education and Cultural Exchange between the UK and China.
Commentating on Dr Lee’s legacy, Professor Malcolm Press CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor, said: “Dr Lee was an inspiring man and a great friend to the University. He valued education and the opportunities it can bring.
“Supporting young people from less advantaged backgrounds was of particular importance to Dr Lee and he got great pleasure from seeing the impact of his support.
“It was an honour to call Dr Lee a friend, and our university will feel his loss keenly.”
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
