In 1992, Guo founded Guangxin Technology Development Company Ltd, with friends Liang Zinjun and Tan Jian,[4] which was among the first to use scientific methods in market research in mainland China.[5]
Since 1994, Guo has been the chairman of Fosun Group and invested in insurance, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, property, steel, mining, retail, services, finance and other investment, and asset management, creating one of the largest non-state owned enterprises in China.[6] Fosun International employs over 74,000 people.[7]
In 2007, Fosun International (00656.HK),[8] the holding company of Fosun, was listed on the HKSE.[9] Fosun has teamed up with IFC in reinsurance business,[10] invested in Club Med of France,[11] insurance company Fidelidade Seguros of Portugal[12] and Folli Follie of Greece[13] to jointly explore opportunities brought by the growth of China's economy.[14]
In July 2016 Guo’s Fosun International purchased the Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club a professional association football club based in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England for a reported £45 million from previous owner Steve Morgan, Wolves went on to clinch the 2017–18 Championship title, to return to the Premier League after a 6-year absence. Wanderers's return to the Premier League resulted in a seventh-place finish in their first season back, their highest placing in the top division since finishing sixth in 1979–80.This position also earned them a place in the Europa League and their first European campaign since 1980–81.[15][16][17] Following these relatively successful seasons, the club has recently fallen into disarray with club Chairman Jeff Shi showing significant incompetence with signings, managerial appointments and general running of the club.[18]
Chairmanships and memberships
Guo is a member of the National Committee of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a member of the Standing Committee of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, a member of the Standing Committee of All-China Youth Federation, the Honorary Chairman of Shanghai Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce.[19]
Shanghai World Expo
At the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, Guo, together with 15 other Chinese entrepreneurs, funded the Chinese Private Enterprise Pavilion, which was the debut of China's non-state-owned enterprises in World Expo.[20][21]
Wealth
As of 2019 he was listed as the 45th richest person in China by Forbes, with a net worth of $6.5 billion.[1] He has been called "China’s Warren Buffett".[22]
Recognition and awards
In 2017 Guo was honored with the 16th Asia Business Leaders Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award by CNBC.[23] He received the 2016/17 “Nobel Laureates Series-Asian Chinese Leaders Award” by Asian College of Knowledge Management, and the “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 8th World Chinese Economic Summit in 2016.[24]
Philanthropy
Guo is the vice chairperson of China Glory Society, China Social Entrepreneur Foundation and Youth Business China Foundation.[25] Through the auspices of the Fosun Foundation, Guo has donated an aggregate of up to 600 million RMB to charity causes to help fight poverty, improve access to education and provide natural disaster relief.[26]
Investigation
On 11 December 2015, it was reported that Guo has been detained by police, was "assisting authorities with an investigation", and had been "linked to a corruption court case in August". It has been speculated that he may have been caught up in Party General Secretary Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption efforts. This has led to shares in his Hong Kong-listed subsidiary being suspended.[27] On 14 December, Guo was released and appeared at Fosun's annual meeting in Shanghai. It was Guo's first public event since he was "assisting the investigation".[28]
