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The Government announced today (April 10) that the Chief Executive has appointed Mrs Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan to succeed Mr Nicholas Ng Wing-fui as the Chairman of the Public Service Commission for a term of three years from May 1, 2014 to April 30, 2017.
Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Paul Tang, said, "I am pleased to welcome Mrs Lau as the new Chairman of the Commission. Mrs Lau is well-suited for the appointment given her wealth of knowledge and experience about the Civil Service and distinguished administrative and management skills.
"I am confident that Mrs Lau will be capable of providing the necessary leadership to the Commission in fulfilling its role to ensure fairness and impartiality in appointments, promotions and discipline in the Civil Service," he said.
"On behalf of the Administration, I would like to thank Mr Ng for his outstanding contributions to the work of the Commission during his tenure since 2005. He has tendered valuable advice to the Administration and has led effectively the Commission in upholding the quality and integrity of the Civil Service," Mr Tang added.
The Commission is an independent statutory body set up under the Public Service Commission Ordinance. Its major role is to advise the Chief Executive on appointments, promotions and discipline in the Civil Service. The serving members of the Commission are Mr Vincent Lo Wing-sang, Mr Joseph Pang Yuk-wing, Mr Herbert Tsoi Hak-kong, Mrs Lucia Li Li Ka-lai, Ms Virginia Choi Wai-kam, Mr Thomas Chan Chi-sun, Mrs Paula Ko Wong Chau-mui and Professor Timothy Tong Wai-cheung.
Brief biographical notes on Mrs Lau are set out below:
Aged 60, Mrs Lau joined the Government in October 1976 as an Administrative Officer. She rose to Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in September 2004. She was subsequently appointed as Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development in July 2008 and left the position in April 2011.
Over her 34 years of service with the Government, Mrs Lau served in various policy bureaux and departments. Senior positions held by Mrs Lau included Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene from January 2000 to June 2002, Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Environment) (later retitled as Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Environment and Transport)) from July 2002 to January 2004, and Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Planning and Lands) (later retitled as Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands)) from May 2004 to July 2007. She served as Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology) from July 2007 until she was appointed as Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development in July 2008.
Ends/Thursday, April 10, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:01
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