Leadership

Names behind the work.

Birthday Happiness Asia is run by a small board, a fundraising committee, a special advisor, and a roster of volunteers who show up to actually throw the parties.

Meet the board See the volunteer team

Two co-founders.

Birthday Happiness Asia was co-founded by Marilou and her husband Edward Fernandes during her cancer battle. Marilou's belief that every child deserves a celebrated birthday is the founding principle of the organisation; her tribute lives on Our Story.

Marilou

Co-Founder

Co-founded Birthday Happiness Asia with her husband Edward during her cancer battle; her belief that every child deserves a celebrated birthday is the founding principle of the organisation.

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Edward Fernandes

Co-Founder & General Manager

Co-founded Birthday Happiness Asia with his wife Marilou during COVID-19; arrived in Hong Kong in 1994 with a career in tech-industry leadership and property sales.

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The board and committee.

Birthday Happiness Asia is a Hong Kong-registered charity (IR File No. 91/18791). Three directors carry the legal and operational accountability.

Peter Manktelow

Finance Director

Relocated to Hong Kong from the UK in 1994; works in finance and corporate services, directing multiple multinational firms.

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Francis Fernandes

Youth Director

Hong Kong-born coach with Galaxy Sports Asia; previously served as a BHA volunteer and team leader before joining the board.

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Greg Knowles

Legal Director

Semi-retired Hong Kong lawyer; serves as President of the Rotary Club of Wan Chai.

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Andrew Eden

Fundraising Committee

Economics graduate with 30 years in Hong Kong wealth management; founded Ernest Maude and previously co-founded the Pot Bellied Pigs Fat Boy Tens charity.

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Andrew Lupton

Fundraising Committee

Scotland-born, 33 years in Hong Kong; works in corporate training; cancer survivor (2019) who chairs the Tung Chung Buffaloes rugby club.

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Daniël de Blocq van Scheltinga

Special Advisor

Founder of a Hong Kong financial-strategy firm; previously led ChemChina Finance Company as the first foreigner permitted to run a Chinese SOE finance arm; serves on the ICAC Business Ethics Development Advisory Committee.

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