Early Life
Michael Kum Soh Har was born in Singapore in 1945 to parents who were street hawkers. He grew up in a humble environment and learned the value of hard work and perseverance from his parents. Kum earned a certificate in Higher Commercial Law and Higher Costing (Cost Accounting) from the London Chamber of Commerce in 1966.
Rise to Success
Kum's career began in 1969 as the Finance and Administration Manager for Marine Charters (Singapore) Pte Ltd. In 1976, he co-founded Offshore Equipment Pte Ltd, which chartered vessels and barges to the oil and gas industry in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Through strategic vision and hard work, he expanded this business. In 2009, Kum shifted his focus to real estate and hotels by setting up Grandline International Limited for investment holding purposes. The same year, M&L Hospitality was launched, with the acquisition of the Four Points by Sheraton Sydney. M&L Hospitality has grown to a significant hotel owner with a portfolio of properties across multiple countries. In June 2025, he acquired Hotel Maria in Helsinki, which will be rebranded as Waldorf Astoria Helsinki.
Key Business Strategies
Kum’s success can be attributed to a few key strategies. He has always focused on growing the business through strategic acquisitions. The M&L Hospitality portfolio includes hotels operated by brands such as Hilton and Hyatt. He emphasizes the importance of prudence and wealth preservation. Kum's family is actively involved in the business, with his daughter Jocelyn playing a key role. Kum has also shown an ability to be contrarian and has been willing to take calculated risks.
Philanthropy
In 2020, M&L Hospitality and Hotel Ibis Singapore donated 3,200 bento box meals to staff of Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the National Centre for Infectious Diseases over an eight-week period.
