Bruce Rockowitz

Early life and move to Hong Kong

Bruce Philip Rockowitz was born in 1958 and grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. He attended the University of Vermont but left his studies in 1979 to pursue a professional tennis career, moving to Hong Kong. Upon arrival, he secured a position as the head tennis coach at the prestigious Hong Kong Country Club. It was in this role that he gave lessons to the then-chairman of the major trading company Li & Fung, an encounter that would later prove influential for his business career. This early period established his long-term connection to Hong Kong, where he would build his professional life and business empire over the following decades.

Business career and corporate leadership

Rockowitz's entry into the business world began after a chance meeting in Hong Kong's Repulse Bay with fellow Canadian expatriate Allan Zeman. In 1981, the two co-founded Colby International, a global sourcing and supply chain management company. Rockowitz served as the company's chief executive officer and president from 1986 onward. Under his leadership, Colby grew significantly, leading to its acquisition in 2000 by Victor Fung and the Li & Fung group for HK$2.2 billion. Following the acquisition, Rockowitz remained with the Li & Fung organization, eventually becoming the group's CEO from 2011 to 2014.

In May 2014, a major division of Li & Fung was spun off as the publicly listed Global Brands Group Holding Ltd. Rockowitz was appointed as its vice chairman and chief executive officer. The company was a major manufacturer and licensor of apparel, footwear, and accessories for a portfolio of leading global brands. Its key brand partners during his tenure included Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, Disney, Coach, and Tommy Hilfiger. He led Global Brands Group until his departure in 2019, overseeing its operations as a significant player in the global brand management arena. Beyond his corporate roles, Rockowitz has held several other prominent positions. He serves as a director for the technology consultancy Step Digital Group and is also a director of Wynn Macau, the Macau subsidiary of the Wynn Resorts casino and hotel group. He contributes his expertise as a member of the advisory boards for the Wharton School's Jay H Baker Retailing Center and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.

Pure Group and Rock Media International

A significant venture outside the traditional sourcing and manufacturing sectors is the Pure Group, a chain of fitness and wellness centres co-founded by Rockowitz. He serves as the non-executive chairman of the group, which operates a network of high-end yoga, fitness, and nail studios primarily in Hong Kong and other Asian cities. The Pure Group represents his investment in the lifestyle and wellness industry, catering to an urban professional clientele. More recently, Rockowitz founded and currently chairs Rock Media International, a company focusing on media and brand development initiatives that builds on his decades of experience in branding and consumer markets.

Recognition and awards

• In 2008, ranked first by Institutional Investor for Asia’s Best CEOs in the consumer category.
• Named one of the World’s 30 Best CEOs by Barron’s magazine in 2010.
• Named one of the World’s 30 Best CEOs by Barron’s magazine again in 2011.
• Received the Asia’s Best CEO award at Corporate Governance Asia’s Excellence Recognition Awards in 2012.
• Received the Asia’s Best CEO award at Corporate Governance Asia’s Excellence Recognition Awards in 2017.
• Received the Asia’s Best CEO award at Corporate Governance Asia’s Excellence Recognition Awards in 2018.

These awards reflect consistent peer and analyst recognition for his leadership and corporate governance over more than a decade. The recognition spans his time as CEO of Li & Fung from 2011 to 2014. It also includes his tenure as vice chairman and CEO of Global Brands Group, which began in 2014. This period of sustained acclaim highlights his standing within the Asian business community.

Personal life and public events

Bruce Rockowitz has two daughters from a previous marriage. He was married to Hong Kong-born singer and performer Coco Lee in October 2011. Their wedding banquet was a notable social event, featuring performances by international artists including Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys, and Ne-Yo. The marriage lasted twelve years until Lee's death in July 2023. Following her death, some media reports suggested the couple had been separated and were due to finalize divorce paperwork. When confronted by media outside the crematorium after her funeral, Rockowitz made a brief public statement, saying, "I love her. My whole life." His personal life, particularly his marriage to a prominent entertainer, has occasionally drawn media attention in Hong Kong and regionally.

Notable guests and performers have been featured at events associated with Bruce Rockowitz. For his birthday in 2008, his then-fiancée Coco Lee hosted a party at Hong Kong's Grand Hyatt hotel. The guest list included business figures such as Philip Green, Richard Caring, Solomon Lew, and Marc Ecko. The performers for that event included Dita von Teese, Lionel Richie, Rihanna, Jewel, and David Blaine.

Career timeline and key ventures

Bruce Rockowitz's business career has progressed through several major phases. He co-founded Colby International with Allan Zeman in 1981 and served as its CEO and president from 1986 to 2000. After Li & Fung acquired Colby in 2000, he became CEO of Li & Fung from 2011 to 2014. He then became vice chairman and CEO of Global Brands Group when it was spun off from Li & Fung in 2014. He is also the co-founder of the Pure Group fitness chain and the founder and chairman of Rock Media International.

This trajectory shows a career built on founding and scaling businesses. He has led large publicly listed corporations such as Li & Fung and Global Brands Group. He maintains a diverse portfolio of board and advisory roles, including positions with Step Digital Group, Wynn Macau, and academic advisory boards. His activities span retail, manufacturing, fitness, technology, and media, demonstrating a broad impact on business in Asia.

Board and advisory roles

In addition to his executive and founding roles, Bruce Rockowitz serves on several influential boards and advisory committees. He is a director of Wynn Macau and a director of the technology consultancy Step Digital Group. He is also a member of the advisory boards for the Wharton School's Jay H Baker Retailing Center and the Fashion Institute of Technology. These positions leverage his extensive experience in retail, branding, and Asian markets.

• Member of the advisory board for the Wharton School's Jay H Baker Retailing Center.
• Member of the advisory board for the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
• Director of Wynn Macau, the Macau subsidiary of Wynn Resorts.
• Director of the technology consultancy firm Step Digital Group.

These roles connect him to leading academic institutions in retail and fashion. His advisory board positions are with the Wharton School's Jay H Baker Retailing Center and the Fashion Institute of Technology. He is also connected to major corporate entities in gaming and technology through his directorship at Wynn Macau and Step Digital Group. This broadens his influence across multiple business sectors.

Questions about Bruce Rockowitz

What is Bruce Rockowitz known for?

Bruce Rockowitz is known as a Canadian businessman based in Hong Kong. He is the co-founder of Colby International and the Pure Group fitness chain. He served as CEO of Li & Fung from 2011 to 2014 and later as vice chairman and CEO of Global Brands Group. He is also the founder and chairman of Rock Media International and a director of Step Digital Group and Wynn Macau.

How did Bruce Rockowitz start his career?

Rockowitz began his career not in business, but in sports. He dropped out of the University of Vermont in 1979 to play professional tennis in Hong Kong. He became the head tennis coach at the Hong Kong Country Club, where he taught the chairman of Li & Fung. A chance meeting with Canadian businessman Allan Zeman led to their partnership and the 1981 founding of Colby International, launching his decades-long career in sourcing and brand management.

What companies did Bruce Rockowitz lead?

He led Colby International as CEO and president from 1986 until its 2000 sale. He then became an executive within the Li & Fung group, rising to become its group CEO from 2011 to 2014. Following a corporate spin-off, he served as vice chairman and CEO of Global Brands Group Holding Ltd from 2014 until 2019. He provides leadership as non-executive chairman of the Pure Group and as chairman of his own firm, Rock Media International.

Was Bruce Rockowitz married to Coco Lee?

Yes, Bruce Rockowitz married Hong Kong singer and performer Coco Lee in October 2011. Their wedding was a lavish event featuring performances by several international music stars. The marriage lasted twelve years until Lee's death in July 2023. Following her passing, some media reports indicated the couple had been living separately and were in the process of divorcing.

What awards has Bruce Rockowitz won?

Rockowitz has received several executive awards. He was ranked first as Asia's Best CEO in the consumer category by Institutional Investor in 2008. Barron's magazine named him one of the World's 30 Best CEOs in both 2010 and 2011. He also won the Asia's Best CEO award at the Corporate Governance Asia Excellence Recognition Awards three times, in 2012, 2017, and 2018.

What is Bruce Rockowitz's connection to Canada?

Bruce Rockowitz is a Canadian citizen. He grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, and dropped out of the University of Vermont. He has lived and worked in Hong Kong since 1979. His foundational business partnership was with fellow Canadian immigrant Allan Zeman.

Sources and further reading

• Bruce Rockowitz (Wikipedia)
• Bruce Rockowitz Hopes to Make Global Brands Group a ... (wwd.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-01.