Unbound by rules

IT'S a few minutes past the appointed time when Adrian Cheng strides into the Andaz Hotel lobby, nonchalant in a round-neck tee, track pants and sneakers. Caught by surprise, this reporter quickly reminds the Hong Kong businessman - scion of the family behind the world's biggest jewellery business and one of Asia's leading property conglomerates - that there will be a photo-shoot during the interview.

The boyish-looking eldest grandson of New World Development founder Cheng Yu-tung shrugs, saying he has no issue about appearing in print in his attire. "Who cares?" he says.

This non-conformist stance is probably reflective of how the 38-year-old - one of the world's youngest billionaires - has gone about disrupting, innovating and creating value for his family empire since joining the group 12 years ago.