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The Government announced today (June 12) the following senior appointments which will take effect on July 1:
(a) Mrs Marion Lai Chan Chi-kuen, Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Communications and Technology), will assume the post of Director-General of Telecommunications. She will succeed Mr Au Man-ho who will retire after 35 years of service;
(b) Ms Annie Tam Kam-lan, Deputy Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Planning and Lands), will assume the post of Director of Lands. She will succeed Mr Patrick Lau Lai-chiu who will retire after 35 years of service; and
(c) Mr Stephen Frederick Fisher, Secretary to the Commission on Poverty, will assume the post of Director of Social Welfare.
Commenting on the appointments, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Miss Denise Yue, said, "The appointees are seasoned Administrative Officers with rich experience in public administration and proven leadership and management skills. I have every confidence that they will continue to serve the community with professionalism and dedication in their new capacities, and ably lead their offices to meet the challenges ahead."
On the retirement of Mr Au Man-ho and Mr Patrick Lau, Miss Yue said, "The two retiring officers have served with drive and commitment in the civil service throughout the years, and have made exemplary contributions to the development of Hong Kong in various spheres."
"As Director-General of Telecommunications, Mr Au has made significant contribution to the development of the telecommunications industry in Hong Kong. He has played a pivotal role in promoting a level-playing field in the market and in spearheading modern regulatory practices which keep Hong Kong at the forefront of telecommunications development in the world."
"During his tenure as Director of Lands, Mr Lau has put in commendable and tireless efforts in steering various land administration policies and practices. He has led the Lands Department with professionalism in balancing the needs of different sectors and in rendering quality services to the people of Hong Kong."
"We sincerely wish the two colleagues a happy retirement."
Brief biographical notes on the five officers are set out below:
Mr Au Man-ho, JP
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Aged 59. Mr Au joined the Government as an Assistant Electronics Engineer in May 1972. He was promoted to Electronics Engineer in June 1975, and to Senior Electronics Engineer in October 1979. In May 1985, he was appointed as Chief Telecommunications Engineer in the Post Office. He has been working in the Office of the Telecommunications Authority since its establishment in July 1993. He rose through the ranks to Assistant Director of Telecommunications in October 1994, to Senior Assistant Director of Telecommunications in April 1997, and to Deputy Director-General of Telecommunications in June 2001. Mr Au has been Director-General of Telecommunications since August 2004.
Mrs Marion Lai Chan Chi-kuen, JP
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Aged 47. Mrs Lai joined the Administrative Service in August 1982 and rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2004.
Mrs Lai has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Councils and Administration Branch, the former Medical and Health Department, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former General Duties Branch, Housing Department, the former Security Branch, the former Civil Service Branch, the former Official Languages Agency, and Chief Secretary for Administration's Office. She was Deputy Director of Social Welfare from March 1999 to May 2001, Deputy Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene from May 2001 to March 2003. She has been Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Information Technology and Broadcasting) (later re-titled as Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Communications and Technology)) since March 2003.
Mr Patrick Lau Lai-chiu, JP
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Aged 56. Mr Lau joined the Government in July 1972 as an Assistant Trade Officer. He joined the Administrative Service at the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade C in April 1987 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in January 2000.
Mr Lau has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Trade Department, the former Industry Department, the former Hong Kong Government Office in London, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Administrative Services and Information Branch, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, and the former Civil Service Branch. Mr Lau was Deputy Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands (later re-titled as Deputy Secretary for Planning and Lands) from March 1997 to March 2001 and Deputy Head, Central Policy Unit from March 2001 to May 2002. He has been Director of Lands since May 2002.
Ms Annie Tam Kam-lan, JP
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Aged 50. Ms Tam joined the Administrative Service in August 1980 and rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2004.
Ms Tam has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Civil Service Branch, the former New Territories Administration, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Home Affairs Branch, the former Health and Welfare Branch, the former Economic Services Branch, the former University and Polytechnic Grants Committee, the former Chief Secretary's Office, the former Constitutional Affairs Branch, and the former Government Supplies Department. She was Deputy Secretary for Information, Technology and Broadcasting (later re-titled as Cyberport Co-ordinator) from June 1999 to October 2002 and Director of Administration and Development of Department of Justice from October 2002 to November 2006. She has been Deputy Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Planning and Lands) since November 2006.
Mr Stephen Frederick Fisher, JP
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Aged 57. Mr Fisher joined the Administrative Service in August 1980 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2005.
Mr Fisher has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Constitutional Affairs Branch, the former Office of Unofficial Members of Executive and Legislative Councils, the former Administrative Services and Information Branch, the former Health and Welfare Branch, the former Financial Services Branch, and the former Chief Secretary's Office. He was Deputy Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands (later re-titled as Deputy Secretary for Planning and Lands) from April 1999 to January 2002 and Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs from February 2002 to July 2006. He has been Secretary to the Commission on Poverty since August 2006.
Ends/Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:07
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