Keat Lai

Keat works with start-ups, corporates, and investment firms to enter new markets and scale high-growth businesses. He has advised leading financial, energy, and commodity players on global expansion, helping them acquire and launch new ventures ranging from commodity trading platforms to low-carbon businesses across Asia. Earlier in his career, Keat worked with a venture capital firm and served as an advisor in strategy consulting, supporting clients on growth and transformation. He holds an MBA from the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business and an MEng in Electronics Engineering from the University of Sheffield.

Why is sustainability in aviation so important to you?

Aviation is a major source of emissions, and I believe the work SkiesFifty is doing has huge potential—both in cutting emissions within the sector and in channelling capital towards solutions beyond it. The pandemic reminded us how essential aviation is in connecting people, and it is critical that we preserve that role in a sustainable way.

What excites you about the SkiesFifty mission?

SkiesFifty is bringing a clear market focus on making critical low carbon technologies financially sustainable. Real progress only happens when there is a clear commitment to delivering both financial and environmental returns for investors, operators, and customers across aviation.

How do you balance life with work?

I am lucky to have flexibility in how I manage my time, and when deadlines clash with under-10 rugby practice, I have a very supportive family that helps me keep the balance.

What is on your Spotify playlist right now?

I don’t quite stay in one lane so it's a mishmash of hits for the 1980s child in me, a bit of Muddy Waters and the latest K-pop, streaming crossovers.

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