Overview

“Failed in London, Try Hong Kong” Peter Olsen was born in London in the middle of World War II. With a bigamist father on the run and the untimely death of his mother, Peter lived a tumultuous childhood in a cold-water flat. Despite abject poverty, violence and family dysfunction, he found his footing working for the maker of Matchbox toys. In 1972, Peter’s career with the firm took him to Hong Kong. Then, just as he was adjusting to a strange new life, Matchbox went bust. Undeterred, he turned crisis into opportunity by founding his own company, building a US$95 million enterprise. But while successful at work, Peter’s personal life began to unravel. The demands of business took a toll on his relationships. At the age of 52, he succumbed to the pressure, turning to cocaine – a decision that marked the beginning of a six-year descent into addiction. The cost was devastating: the collapse of his marriage and irreparable damage to his business, resulting in reputational and financial ruin. In 2001, after hitting rock bottom, Peter sought help at a rehab facility. Today in recovery, he is an active supporter of several charities close to his heart, and he is one of the most sought-after speakers on recovery, captivating audiences worldwide with his raw, honest storytelling. Drawing from his own journey, he inspires others to embrace gratitude, forgiveness and resilience as tools for overcoming adversity and creating meaningful change.

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Peter Olsen is a British-born entrepreneur whose life journey spans continents, industries and personal transformations. Born in Kentish Town, London, Olsen relocated to Hong Kong in 1972, where he built a career in the toy manufacturing business. His early work with Matchbox toys led to the founding of his own company in 1982, and he became a major player in the global toy industry -- famously producing dolls of the boy band Take That. Olsen’s business acumen turned him into a multimillionaire, but this is far from a simple rags-to-riches tale. At 52, he developed a cocaine dependency that led him through years of struggle. He entered recovery programmes including The Priory and the Betty Ford Clinic, eventually emerging as an advocate and donor for addiction recovery communities. Today, he is actively involved in supporting rehab centres such as Vera’s Sanctuary for Women and recovery networks around the world. A lifelong Arsenal fan, Olsen has used his wealth to give back, funding 30,000 meals for struggling families in North London during the Covid-19 pandemic. His donations to the Willow Foundation, co-founded by Arsenal legend Bob Wilson, further cement his ties to the football club. In 2023, he donated to Wallsend Boys Club, a youth football organisation in the northeast of England known for producing top-tier talent. The donation reflects Olsen’s belief in sport as a force for good. Now in his 80s, Olsen lives between the UK and Hong Kong and remains a gentle powerhouse, mentoring entrepreneurs and funding humanitarian efforts.

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