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The Government announced today (February 3) that Mr Robert Footman, Administrative Officer Staff Grade A, will retire from the civil service in July, 2006, after exhaustion of his accumulated leave.
Mr Footman joined the Administrative Service of the Hong Kong Government in September, 1974, and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in January, 1997.
Mr Footman has served in various bureaux and departments including the New Territories Administration, Environment Branch, Transport Branch and Trade Department. He has also served on the Administrative Officer Recruitment Board and been on secondment to the Provisional Council of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom. He was Deputy Director-General of Trade from September, 1989, to May, 1992; Head, Efficiency Unit from May, 1992, to November, 1995, and Postmaster General from November, 1995, to November, 1998. Mr Footman¡¦s last post was Commissioner for Transport from November, 1998, to June, 2005.
Speaking about Mr Footman's retirement, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Miss Denise Yue said he had rendered more than 30 years of loyal and dedicated service to the people of Hong Kong and the Government. "He has earned the respect of his colleagues. During his tenure as Commissioner for Transport, he ably led the Transport Department to provide quality service to the public. His efforts and contributions towards the goal of providing one of the world¡¦s best transport systems to the people of Hong Kong are greatly appreciated,¡¨ Miss Yue said.
The Secretary for the Civil Service offered her best wishes to Mr Footman on his retirement from the civil service.
Mr Footman said he felt privileged to have served the community through the Government. "I am most grateful for all the opportunities I have had in so many fields for over thirty years, especially in developing and introducing various initiatives in serving the community. I also want to thank my wonderful colleagues, in the Administrative Service and in departments. I have benefited from their professionalism and friendship. I have decided the time has come to make a change. Hong Kong is my home and I will continue to contribute to the community in other ways.¡¨
Ends/Friday, February 3, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:53
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