COSIMO JENCKS MBE

We are deeply sorry to record the death of a long standing friend and committed member of the British and wider international business community in Vietnam.

Cosimo Jencks worked in Vietnam for many years with the Jardine Group. He arrived in Vietnam in 1998 as Managing Director of Jardine Matheson. He also ran Jardine Schindler in Hong Kong before being appointed as MD of the company in Vietnam in 2004. He was elevated to run Hong Kong Land (another Jardine company) in 2007 just in time to meet the Global Financial Crisis head on. He ran the company adroitly, steering his ship through the choppy waters of regulatory and financial challenges. His success in Vietnam led to a series of promotions ending with him as General Manager for the whole of the Hong Kong Land group in South Asia. But this CV paints Cosimo very much as a corporate man which although he was would be to overlook the other key dimensions of his character which made him the person he was. Ever generous with his time and money he supported worthy causes and charities too many to mention but foremost of which was New Borns. He brought this charity helping premature babies and their mothers to the attention of the wider business community in Vietnam and led and stimulated numerous sponsored bicycle rides and other activities saving the lives of countless children. His enthusiasm was an inspiration and he was justly rewarded by King Charles who bestowed the honour of the order of Member of the British Empire upon him in recognition of these and other selfless acts. We in the British business community remember fondly our time with Cosimo who served on the board of the BBGV including many years as Vice Chairman. Cosimo’s advice and insights into  running a successful business in Vietnam was constantly sought by those seeking to sprinkle a bit of the Jencks magic onto their own enterprises and true to form he spared no trouble in sharing his wisdom even in recent years when illness afflicted him and communication became a painstaking labour.

Cosimo’s many friends will remember him as a devoted family man: He took great care with Yen, his wife, in bringing up their two sons Max and Sam as well educated, charming and athletic young men – very much in the image of their father. So we look back on a life cut short but a life full of love and achievement that would be the envy of many.