Senior appointments (with photos)
*********************************

     The Government announced today (July 21) the following senior appointments:

(a) Mr Thomas Chow Tat-ming, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, will assume the post of Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands) on August 17, 2009. He will succeed Mr Raymond Young who will proceed on leave, to be followed by overseas advanced management training;

(b) Mrs Betty Fung Ching Suk-yee, Director of Information Services, will assume the post of Director of Leisure and Cultural Services on August 31, 2009;

(c) Mr Michael Wong Wai-lun, Deputy Secretary for Education, will assume the post of Director of Information Services on August 31, 2009;

(d) Mr Patrick Nip Tak-kuen, Deputy Secretary for Food and Health (Health), will assume the post of Director of Social Welfare on August 15, 2009. He will succeed Mr Stephen Frederick Fisher who will retire after 29 years of service;

(e) Mr Kim Anthony Salkeld, Land Registrar, will assume the post of Head, Efficiency Unit, on August 10, 2009; and

(f) Ms Olivia Nip Sai-lan, Deputy Secretary for Food and Health (Food), will assume the post of Land Registrar on August 24, 2009.

     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 Fisher, Miss Yue said, "Mr Fisher has rendered 29 years of loyal and dedicated service to the community and has made exemplary contributions to the development of Hong Kong in various spheres. During his tenure as Director of Social Welfare, he has made commendable efforts in helping to formulate and execute welfare policies, and in improving the services of the department to meet the aspiring demands of the community. We sincerely wish him a happy retirement."

     Brief biographical notes on the seven officers are set out below:

Mr Stephen Frederick Fisher
---------------------------

     Aged 59. 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, the former Chief Secretary's Office, and the former Planning, Environment and Lands Bureau. He was Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs from February 2002 to July 2006, and Secretary to the Commission on Poverty from August 2006 to June 2007. He has been Director of Social Welfare since July 2007.

Mr Thomas Chow Tat-ming
-----------------------

     Aged 49. Mr Chow joined the Administrative Service in December 1984 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2008.

     Mr Chow has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration (and later the Home Affairs Department), the Social Welfare Department, the former General Duties Branch, the former Monetary Affairs Branch, the former Government House, the Financial Secretary's Office and the former Transport Bureau. He was Deputy Secretary for the Environment and Food (later re-titled Deputy Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Environment)) from April 2000 to June 2004, and Deputy Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Transport) from July 2004 to August 2006. He has been Director of Leisure and Cultural Services since August 2006.

Mrs Betty Fung Ching Suk-yee
----------------------------

     Aged 44. Mrs Fung joined the Administrative Service in July 1986 and rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2007.

     Mrs Fung has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Transport Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Civil Service Branch, the former Education and Manpower Branch, the former Chief Secretary's Office, the Information Services Department, the former Trade Department, the Home Affairs Bureau and the former Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau. She was Deputy Government Chief Information Officer (Planning & Strategy) from July 2004 to April 2006, and Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower (later re-titled Deputy Secretary for Education) from April 2006 to July 2007. She has been Director of Information Services since July 2007.

Mr Michael Wong Wai-lun
-----------------------

     Aged 46. Mr Wong joined the Administrative Service in August 1985 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2008.

     Mr Wong has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority, the former Legal Department, the Central Policy Unit, the former Trade and Industry Branch, the former Business and Services Promotion Unit, and the former Economic Services Bureau. He was Deputy Secretary for Security from September 2001 to July 2006, and Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Economic Development) from July 2006 to June 2007. He has been Deputy Secretary for Education since July 2007.

Mr Patrick Nip Tak-kuen
-----------------------

     Aged 45. Mr Nip joined the Administrative Service in August 1986 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2007.

     Mr Nip has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Deputy Chief Secretary's Office, the former Trade and Industry Branch, the former Finance Branch, the former Civil Service Branch, the former Trade Department and the Chief Executive's Office. He was Deputy Secretary for Health and Welfare (later re-titled Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food (Elderly Services)) from July 2001 to July 2004, and Deputy Director, Beijing Office from August 2004 to September 2006. He has been Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food (Health) (later re-titled Deputy Secretary for Food and Health (Health)) since November 2006.

Mr Kim Anthony Salkeld
----------------------

     Aged 50. Mr Salkeld joined the Administrative Service in August 1980 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2005.

     Mr Salkeld has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former New Territories Services Department, the former Social Services Branch, the former Education and Manpower Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the Correctional Services Department, the former Security Branch, the former Trade and Industry Branch, the former Government House and the Central Policy Unit. He was Budget Speech Co-ordinator of the Financial Secretary's Office from October 1997 to March 1998, and Deputy Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands (Environment) (later re-titled Deputy Secretary for Environment and Food) from March 1998 to May 2001. He has been Land Registrar since May 2001.

Ms Olivia Nip Sai-lan
---------------------

     Aged 47. Ms Nip joined the Administrative Service in August 1984 and rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2008.
 
     Ms Nip has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Housing Branch, the Housing Department, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Office of Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, the former Monetary Affairs Branch, the former Recreation and Culture Branch, the former Education and Manpower Branch, and the former Planning and Lands Bureau. She was Deputy Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Planning and Lands) (later re-titled Deputy Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands)) from November 2003 to November 2007. She has been Deputy Secretary for Food and Health (Food) since December 2007.

Ends/Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:00

NNNN