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The Government announced today (November 19) that the Central People's Government has, on the nomination and recommendation of the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, approved the appointment of Mr Benjamin Tang Kwok-bun as Director of Audit. Mr Tang will take up the post with effect from December 1, 2003, succeeding Mr Dominic Chan Yin-tat who proceeded on pre-retirement leave on September 19, 2003.
The Government also announced that Mr Richard Yuen Ming-fai will take up the post of Commissioner of Insurance on the same day vice Mr Benjamin Tang.
On the appointment of the new Director of Audit, the Chief Executive said: "Mr Tang has served in different bureaux and departments during his career in the civil service and has well proven leadership and good management skills. I am certain that Mr Tang is capable of leading the Audit Commission in its provision of independent, professional and quality audit services to help the Government enhance public sector efficiency and performance."
As regards the appointment of Mr Richard Yuen as Commissioner of Insurance, the Secretary for the Civil Service Mr Joseph W P Wong said: "Mr Yuen is an Administrative Officer with rich experience in public administration. We are confident that as the new Commissioner of Insurance, he will lead his Office in playing an effective role as both a prudential regulator as well as a market enabler, facilitating the healthy development of the insurance industry."
Brief biographical notes on the two officers are set out below:
Mr Benjamin Tang Kwok-bun, JP
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Aged 51, Mr Tang joined the Administrative Service in October 1974 and is currently Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1.
Mr Tang has served in various bureaux and departments including the former Environment Branch, the former New Territories Administration, the former Office of Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority, the former Recreation and Culture Department, London Office, the former Transport Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration and Independent Commission Against Corruption. He was Deputy Director of the former Regional Services Department from December 1992 to November 1995; Deputy Secretary for Broadcasting, Culture and Sport from November 1995 to February 1997; Deputy Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands from February 1997 to March 1998; and the former Government Printer from March 1998 to January 2000.
Mr Tang has been Commissioner of Insurance since January 2000. On taking up the appointment as Director of Audit, Mr Tang will leave the Administrative Service.
Mr Richard Yuen Ming-fai, JP
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Aged 47, Mr Yuen joined the Administrative Service in August 1980 and is currently Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1.
Mr Yuen has served in various bureaux and departments including the former Security Branch, the former Home Affairs Department, the former Urban Services Department, the former Home Affairs Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Councils and Administration Branch, the former Finance Branch, the former Chief Secretary's Office, and the former Economic Services Branch.
He was Deputy Secretary for Economic Services from October 1996 to August 1999; Private Secretary to the Chief Executive from August 1999 to October 2002; and Deputy Director in the Chief Executive's Office from March 2003 to October 2003.
Ends/Wednesday, November 19, 2003
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