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The Government announced today (April 29) the following senior appointments:
* Mrs Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan, Administrative Officer Staff Grade A, will take up the post of Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Planning and Lands) on May 24, 2004 vice Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor; and
* Mrs Carrie Lam, Administrative Officer Staff Grade A, will take up the post of Director-General, London vice Mr Andrew Leung Kin-pong who will proceed on pre-retirement leave on July 1, 2004.
Commenting on the appointments, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joseph W P Wong, said: "The two appointed officers have amassed rich experience in public administration through various postings in their career in the civil service. I have full confidence in their leadership abilities. I am certain that they are capable of leading their teams in their new capacities to take forward various initiatives in the development of Hong Kong on various fronts and enhancing public services."
On the retirement of Mr Andrew Leung, Mr Wong said: "Mr Leung has served in the civil service for 37 years, providing distinguished service to the community. In particular, he has made sterling contribution to the promotion of Hong Kong's economic and trade interests in the United Kingdom and various European countries. We sincerely wish him a happy retirement."
Brief biographical notes on the three officers are set out below:
Mr Andrew Leung Kin-pong, JP
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Aged 58. Mr Leung joined the Hong Kong Government in January, 1967, as an Executive Officer. He transferred to the Administrative Service in October, 1973, and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in January, 1998.
During his career in the Administrative Service, Mr Leung has served in different bureaux and departments, including the former Security Branch, the former New Territories Administration, the former Office of Unofficial Members of Executive and Legislative Councils, the former Finance Branch, the Brussels Office and the then Industry Department. Mr Leung was Deputy Director-General of Industry from November, 1987, to July, 1990; Deputy Secretary for Transport from January, 1991, to November, 1992; Policy and Administration Co-ordinator in Legal Aid Department from December, 1992, to September, 1994; and Police Administration Officer from October, 1994, to September, 1996. Mr Leung was appointed Director of Social Welfare from October, 1996, to August, 2000, and has been Director-General, London since September, 2000.
Mrs Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan, JP
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Aged 50. Mrs Lau joined the Administrative Service of the Hong Kong Government in October,1976, and rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in January, 1999.
Over the years, Mrs Lau has served in various bureaux and departments including, inter alia, Social Welfare Department, the former Education Department, the former City and New Territories Administration and the former Civil Service Branch. She was Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing from July, 1992, to October, 1995. In October, 1995, she became Deputy Secretary in the former Recreation and Culture Branch where she was responsible for broadcasting and entertainment policies. She continued to be responsible for this portfolio in the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau established in April, 1998, as Deputy Secretary (Information Technology and Broadcasting). In July, 1999, she assumed the post of Director of Urban Services and was subsequently appointed Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene from January, 2000, to June, 2002. She was Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Environment and Transport) from July, 2002, to January, 2004. Mrs Lau is currently on training at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, JP
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Aged 46. Mrs Lam joined the Administrative Service of the Hong Kong Government in August, 1980, and was promoted to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in January, 2001.
Mrs Lam has served in various bureaux and departments including the former Housing Branch, the former Office of Unofficial Members of Executive and Legislative Councils, the former Medical and Health Department, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Security Branch, the former Survey Office, the former Securities Review Committee, the former Monetary Affairs Branch, the former Lands and Works Branch, the former Health and Welfare Branch, the Department of Health and the former Finance Branch. She was Deputy Secretary for the Treasury from May, 1996, to July, 2000, and later Director of Social Welfare from August, 2000, to October, 2003. Mrs Lam took up her current appointment as Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Planning and Lands) in November, 2003.
Ends/Thursday, April 29, 2004
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