Never Say No

Ken Atkinson’s business career began with selling ice cream in a northern English town. Humble beginnings, yes, but a hint at the entrepreneurial spirit and ambition that would soon define his life. What began as a modest venture soon took root in the world of international banking and eventually grew into a long-term role in nurturing Vietnam’s economy and strengthening its ties with the global markets.

Navigating foreign shores, socially and economically, he found his way into even the most formidable and complex markets, including the opening up of both Russia and China to foreign invested projects. This memoir is filled with expert economic insights and tales of risk, reward, and resilience. Entertaining as it is intelligent, it offers a first-hand account of how emerging Asian markets were transformed.

For the past three decades, Ken has lived, worked and found a home in Vietnam, with Ho Chi Minh City as his base. Along the way, there have been many ups and downs, moments of suspense and humour, and it is all documented in this magnificent and unique memoir. Not bad for a kid who grew up amid the fields and stonewalls of northern England. From Saddleworth to Saigon, Ken’s story is sure to inspire anyone with an ounce of ambition to pursue greatness and to never say no to opportunity.

Author Biography

Ken Atkinson, born and raised on the edge of the Saddleworth moors in northern England, overcame the hardships of post-World War II life with a mixture of smarts, grit, and a solid work ethic instilled by his parents. Ken’s pioneering spirit took him to Leningrad and Beijing where he negotiated and financed both country’s first ever foreign financed luxury hotels in 1979 and 1980. He eventually arrived in Vietnam where he built a 400-member international accounting firm that recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.