Elaine Lau: “Staying connected with the French community is really important to me”

Meet with Elaine, from Hong Kong and the UK to France, and back to Hong Kong!

1) Please tell us about your story.
Where are you from, and what made you learn French and move to France?

I’m half-British, half-Hong Kong Chinese — I grew up in Hong Kong until I was 12, then moved to London, which became home after university. I started out in investment banking at HSBC London, but like many people, COVID gave me time to reflect. I realised I was ready for a big change — not just geographically, but in terms of pursuing more entrepreneurial work.

I’d always been passionate about wine and spirits as a personal interest, and I wanted to explore how I could combine my finance background with the wine and spirits sector. Bordeaux felt like the perfect place to do that, so in May 2022, I took the leap and moved to the heart of the wine world — to immerse myself in the industry from the ground up. I knew it was the best place to build a strong network, understand the wine trade and supply chain, and get hands-on with tasting and production. I also enrolled in the WSET Level 4 Diploma programme here, which really helped me build a solid foundation and connect with the local industry.

I’d never studied French before — so yes, it was a bold move to relocate somewhere I didn’t know anyone or speak the language. The first few months were full of trial and error, some good laughs, and plenty of comic miscommunications (stories I’m happy to share over a glass of wine!). But I love a challenge, and I knew that if I wanted to create business relationships in France, speaking the language would be essential — not just for the work itself, but to build real connections.

Now, thanks to many hours of French films, TV series, books, Instagram reels, and a very patient tutor, I really enjoy using French day to day — both for business and pleasure. Even if I still mess up a few masculine and feminine words, I dive in anyway. On fonce !

2) Why are you moving back to HK ?

I loved living in the UK, and I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences I had there. But over time, I realised I struggled to find the deeper sense of belonging I would want if I were to call it home long-term.
Bordeaux gave me that sense of belonging — through wine. It’s a place where wine touches every part of daily life, and being surrounded by people who live and breathe the industry was both grounding and inspiring. But while I loved the connection to wine, I also missed a certain pace and dynamism — the kind of energy that really pushes me forward creatively and professionally.
Returning to Hong Kong more frequently after COVID reminded me of that energy. The conversations around business, entrepreneurship, and wine and spirits were electric. Even though the market in Hong Kong is more challenging at the moment, that actually motivated me more — it felt like the right time to come back and develop what I had started. I believe in showing up when things are tough, not just when everything is booming. That’s how you differentiate yourself.
I see so much potential in the region — not just in private debt and private equity markets where my business is focused on – but in the curiosity and appetite for engaging with wine and spirits as an asset class.
On a personal level, it also means a lot to be closer to my family again. I come from a big family and so I have missed getting together around a big table during the festivals and celebrating the traditions. And honestly… I really missed the food! When I’m feeling ill, I crave rice and dim sum — not cheese and charcuterie (sorry France!). When I’m hungry, it’s roast duck and noodles that call to me. So while I’m making this move with my head — strategically, professionally — I’m also listening to my heart my stomach!

3) Why do you want to keep connected with the French community ?

Staying connected with the French community is really important to me — not just to maintain my level of French, but to keep improving it too. I’ve worked hard to learn the language from scratch, and I genuinely enjoy speaking it now, whether it’s in a professional setting or just chatting over coffee or wine.
Being mixed race, I’ve always loved having both European and Asian cultures around me. It feels like the best of both worlds, and I want to keep that balance in my daily life, especially now that I’m back in Asia. I feel meeting other French culture lovers helps me keep that European connection alive — through the language, the culture, the food, and the friendships.
I’m also a very social person, and I’m always up for meeting new people, hearing different perspectives, and learning something new. Whether it’s through conversation, collaboration, or just sharing a good meal, I think that kind of cultural exchange is something really special — and I want to keep being part of it.

4) What are your projects ?

One of my key projects is building Carnation Capital, a private investment firm I founded. We specialise in providing trade credit, debt, and equity financing to wine and spirits businesses in Europe and Asia. Put simply, our mission is: Financing the Future of Wine & Spirits – Beyond the Bottle.

When people think of wine investing, they often picture rare vintages quietly appreciating in cellars. But our approach to engaging with this $500B+ global industry is through private credit – helping Chateaux, distilleries, distributors etc extend working capital and navigate growth. I particularly love the interactive part of the business too – as we also curate exceptional experiences around these investments. Many of our clients are not just investors, but true wine and whisky enthusiasts, so we bridge the gap by offering exclusive access to vineyards, distilleries, allocation offers, and private tastings.
We’re expanding our presence in both Asia and Europe, with regular events in Hong Kong, London, and Bordeaux, as well as an annual Bordeaux trip that includes visits, fund updates, and tastings. So, I’ll be travelling back and forth and spending time between Hong Kong and France to develop these experiences further. My broader vision is to continue building a platform that connects people — not just to financial opportunities, but to culture, craftsmanship, and community – and I’m excited to keep growing it !
Another big project I’ll have to focus on is moving my dog – Truffles – to Hong Kong ! He’s a 5 year old, 3 and half-legged labradoodle-spaniel mix with a prosthetic. I’m hoping that he’ll be able to join me in Hong Kong from September onwards, then my move will be fully complete !
Beyond that – I’m also looking to learn Mandarin and I love hiking! So, I look forward to hiking on the weekends and discovering new trails in HK. So if anyone has any recommendations, I’d love to hear them.

Cheers 🍷

Elaine Lau

EMAIL: elau@carnationcapitalco.com