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The Government announced today (March 26) the following senior appointments:
(a) Mr Duncan Pescod, Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology), will assume the post of Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing) and Director of Housing on May 3, 2010. He will succeed Mr Thomas Chan Chun-yuen who will retire after 36 years of service;
(b) Mrs Marion Lai Chan Chi-kuen, Director-General of Telecommunications, will assume the post of Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food) on April 1, 2010. She will succeed Mrs Stella Hung Kwok Wai-ching who will retire after 33 years of service;
(c) Miss Elizabeth Tse Man-yee, Permanent Secretary, Chief Executive's Office, will assume the post of Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology) on April 26, 2010;
(d) Miss Eliza Lee Man-ching, Deputy Secretary for Labour and Welfare (Welfare), will assume the post of Director-General of Telecommunications on May 3, 2010;
(e) Mr Kenneth Mak Ching-yu, Private Secretary to the Chief Executive, will assume the post of Permanent Secretary, Chief Executive's Office, on April 19, 2010; and
(f) Dr Lau Chau-ming, Assistant Government Chemist, will assume the post of Government Chemist on April 1, 2010. He will succeed Dr Ting Tai-lun who will retire after more than 29 years of service.
Commenting on the appointments in the Administrative Service, 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 Thomas Chan and Mrs Stella Hung, the Secretary for the Civil Service said, "The two retiring officers have served with strong drive and commitment in the civil service throughout the years. They have made exemplary contributions to the development of Hong Kong in various spheres.
"As Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing) and Director of Housing, Mr Chan has made commendable efforts in assisting to formulate and implement a sustainable public rental housing (PRH) programme and maintain a fair and stable environment for the development of the property market. Under his capable leadership, the Housing Department has enhanced the living environment of PRH residents through the introduction of various initiatives regarding allocation policies, maintenance and management as well as construction and development. These include a series of housing schemes promoting harmonious families, which are widely welcomed by PRH residents, the Total Maintenance Scheme and green projects.
"During her tenure as Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mrs Hung has made zealous efforts in helping to formulate and implement policies on agriculture, fisheries, food safety, animal health, animal welfare and environmental hygiene. She has played a pivotal role in supervising the efforts of departments in ensuring food safety and steady food supply. She has demonstrated exemplary leadership in preparing new food safety legislation and handling major food incidents. She has also made great contributions to the prevention and control of avian flu and safeguarding environmental hygiene."
Commenting on Dr Lau Chau-ming's appointment, Miss Yue said, "Dr Lau possesses sound professional skills, solid experience in the work of the Government Laboratory and proven administrative abilities. I am confident that he will be able to lead the Government Laboratory in further enhancing the provision of professional and quality service."
On the retirement of Dr Ting Tai-lun, Miss Yue said, "Dr Ting has served with zeal and commitment in the civil service throughout the years. As the Government Chemist, he has devoted sustained efforts in enhancing the professional service of the Government Laboratory. Under his leadership, the department has provided our community with quality forensic science and analytical and advisory services.
"We sincerely wish the three colleagues a happy retirement."
Brief biographical notes on the nine officers are set out below:
Mr Thomas Chan Chun-yuen
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Aged 60. Mr Thomas Chan Chun-yuen joined the Government in June 1973 as an Assistant Trade Officer. He transferred to the Administrative Service in October 1973 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in April 2008.
Mr Chan has served in various bureaux and departments, including the Labour Department, the former Home Affairs and Information Branch, the former Finance Branch, the former New Territories Administration, the former Civil Service Branch, the former Medical and Health Department, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Housing Branch, Radio Television Hong Kong, the Information Services Department and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco. He was Director of Information Services from March 1997 to January 2002, and Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation from January 2002 to January 2006. He has been Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Housing), later renamed Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing), and Director of Housing since January 2006.
Mrs Stella Hung Kwok Wai-ching
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Aged 56. Mrs Stella Hung Kwok Wai-ching joined the Administrative Service in November 1976 and rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2004.
Mrs Hung has served in various bureaux and departments, including the Social Welfare Department, the former Monetary Affairs Branch, the former New Territories Administration, the Home Affairs Department, the former Civil Service Branch, the former Industry Department, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Finance Branch, the former New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office, the former Home Affairs Branch (later renamed Home Affairs Bureau), the former Works Bureau and the former Environment and Food Bureau (later renamed Health, Welfare and Food Bureau). She was Director of Government Supplies (later renamed Director of Government Logistics) from September 2002 to January 2006, and Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation from January 2006 to July 2007. She has been Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food) since July 2007.
Mr Duncan Pescod
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Aged 50. Mr Duncan Pescod joined the Administrative Service in August 1981, and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2007.
Mr Pescod has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Home Affairs Branch, the former Security Branch, the Lands Department, the former Urban Services Department, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Civil Service Branch (later renamed Civil Service Bureau) and the Tourism Commission. He was Head, Efficiency Unit, from November 2004 to February 2006, and Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Communities from March 2006 to August 2008. He has been Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology) since August 2008.
Mrs Marion Lai Chan Chi-kuen
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Aged 50. Mrs Marion Lai Chan Chi-kuen joined the Administrative Service in August 1982 and rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2008.
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, the Housing Department, the former Security Branch, the former Civil Service Branch, the former Official Languages Agency, the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office and the Social Welfare Department. She was Deputy Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene from May 2001 to March 2003, and Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Information Technology and Broadcasting) (later renamed Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Communications and Technology)) from March 2003 to June 2007. She has been Director-General of Telecommunications since July 2007.
Miss Elizabeth Tse Man-yee
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Aged 47. Miss Elizabeth Tse Man-yee joined the Administrative Service in August 1984 and rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2008.
Miss Tse has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Security Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Economic Services Branch, the former Finance Branch, the former New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office and the former Trade and Industry Branch. She was Deputy Secretary for the Treasury (later renamed Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury)) from July 1999 to April 2006, and Director of Administration from April 2006 to October 2007. She has been Permanent Secretary, Chief Executive's Office since October 2007.
Miss Eliza Lee Man-ching
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Aged 45. Miss Eliza Lee Man-ching joined the Administrative Service in August 1988 and rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2008.
Miss Lee has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Royal Hong Kong Police Force, the Chief Secretary's Office, the Correctional Services Department, the former Recreation and Culture Branch, the former Transport Branch (later renamed Transport Bureau) and the former Trade Department (later renamed Trade and Industry Department). Miss Lee was Deputy Director of Administration from September 2001 to April 2006 and Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food (Family and Women) from August 2006 to June 2007. She has been Deputy Secretary for Labour and Welfare (Welfare) since July 2007.
Mr Kenneth Mak Ching-yu
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Aged 54. Mr Kenneth Mak Ching-yu joined the Administrative Service in October 1986 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2008.
Mr Mak has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service, the former Finance Branch, the former New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office, the former Trade and Industry Branch (later renamed Trade and Industry Bureau) and the Financial Secretary's Office. He was Deputy Secretary for Trade and Industry (later renamed Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Commerce and Industry)) from April 2000 to April 2003, and Deputy Director of Housing (Corporate Services) from April 2003 to July 2007. He has been Private Secretary to the Chief Executive since July 2007.
Dr Ting Tai-lun
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Aged 59. Dr Ting Tai-lun first joined the Government as an Environmental Protection Officer in August 1980. He was appointed as a Chemist in November 1981. He was promoted to Senior Chemist in July 1990, Chief Chemist in August 1998 and Assistant Government Chemist in October 2001. He was promoted to Government Chemist in July 2004.
Dr Lau Chau-ming
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Aged 54. Dr Lau Chau-ming first joined the Government as a Chemist in March 1984. He was promoted to Senior Chemist in September 1992, Chief Chemist in August 2000 and Assistant Government Chemist in August 2008.
Ends/Friday, March 26, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:00
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