In memoriam: Dr Helmut Sohmen (1939-2025)

The Humanities Division at the University of Oxford wishes to offer our sincere condolences to the Sohmen family on the passing of Dr Helmut Sohmen (1939-2025).

Dr Sohmen was a distinguished businessman, lawyer, and long-time chairman of World-Wide Shipping Group and later BW Group. He contributed significantly to public life in Hong Kong, serving as a Member of the Legislative Council, Chairman of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and in multiple other civic roles.

As a major supporter of education, he established multiple scholarship programmes to support student exchange as a means to bridge cultures, and endowed chairs at leading Hong Kong universities.

Dr Sohmen and his family have left an important legacy here in Oxford. In August, we announced a significant gift from the family to the Humanities Division in honour of Dr Sohmen and his lifelong love of classical music.

This gift will boost musical engagement and cultural performances; enrich the experience of Oxford graduate and undergraduate students from all disciplines; and help the University to reach audiences across the world. The memory of Dr Sohmen will live on in Oxford through our new 500-seat auditorium, which has been named the Sohmen Concert Hall in recognition.