On the Money

Mandarin Teacher: Iris Cai

Hongbing Iris Cai is the Director of Positive Speaking, strategic consultant, Mandarin teacher and international speaker.

She lectures on ‘Business in Chinese’ which uses a combination of language, culture, and Chinese ancient wisdom to provide insights and practical applications into conducting business with Chinese people. She has taught in the China Club of London Business School and in a number of blue chip companies since 2009. Her consultancy specialises in supporting companies to have effective communication with Chinese people and business.

Iris is also a prolific writer, she has published a series of articles in the “UK-Chinese Times” to promote an understanding of Chinese ancient wisdom and traditional values.

Iris received a Mu-Lan Achievements Award, which celebrates Chinese women’s achievements in the UK at the House of Lords in 2009, in honour of her dedication and contribution to cultural bridge building between the UK and China.

From 1999 to 2009 Iris worked as a finance professional for several international advertising companies. Iris was a Finance Manager at WPP Group in China, and also Saatchi & Saatchi China from 1999 to 2003. In 2003 she transferred and worked for its UK group until 2009.

From 1990 to 1999 Iris worked as Personal Assistant to the Group CFO of a large PLC company Midea, the main producer and exporter of home appliances in southern China. She also used to work as a part time TV presenter in a regional TV Station. In 1998 Iris took one year work break to go to university to study business English full time.

Iris was born in Beijing China in March 1968, grew up in Shanghai, was university educated in Xi’an - majoring in accounting and then worked in Guangzhou China. Iris now lives in London.