Name:   Nigel Clark
From:   Keswick, the Lake District
Living in:  Beijing

“For me China is the ideal place to be – constant change with endless challenges and opportunities.”

Following graduation as a geologist in 1971, Nigel worked across the world from Brazil to Indonesia and arrived in China in 1997. While based in Beijing his work in the mining industry has taken him to some of China’s beautiful and remote western provinces, where he has experienced mountains, deserts, grasslands and lush sub-tropics all within the one country.

Throughout his time in China he has been involved with various non-profit organizations including the China International Mining Group, where he was Chair from 2004 to early 2009.  He is currently Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in China, which he has been working with in various guises since 1999 and currently. In addition, he remains busy as Chairman of a UK-listed mining company and advisor to two others in Australia and Mongolia.

Nigel is also a great believer in work-life balance and ensures hard work is accompanied with lots of physical exercise. He climbs the stairs daily to his 18th floor apartment in order to prepare for climbing expeditions.  Throughout his life he has been an explorer of sorts, whether through work or in his love of mountains and the wild outdoors.  In 2005, he joined an Everest expedition and managed to raise $50,000 for Care for Children.  Climbing has taught him the true value of life and the importance of planning meticulously and focusing completely on the matter in hand.

An optimist at heart, Nigel hopes that through the Chamber and his other activities in China, he can continue to be challenged and to give something back to society.