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

     The Government announced today (May 24) the following senior appointments:

(a)  Mr Wai Chi-sing, Director of Highways, will assume the post of Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) on June 16, 2010. He will succeed Mr Mak Chai-kwong who will retire after 33 years of service; and

(b)  Mr Jimmy Leung, Deputy Director of Planning, will assume the post of Director of Planning on June 28, 2010. He will succeed Mrs Ava Ng who will retire after 33 years of service.

     Commenting on Mr Wai Chi-sing's appointment, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Miss Denise Yue, said, "Mr Wai is an experienced senior civil servant with profound knowledge and rich experience in the works field. He also possesses proven leadership and management abilities. I have every confidence that he will continue to serve the community with professionalism and dedication in his new capacity, and ably lead his colleagues to meet the challenges ahead."

     On the retirement of Mr Mak Chai-kwong, Miss Yue said, "Mr Mak has rendered 33 years of loyal and dedicated service to the community and made sterling contribution to the infrastructural development of Hong Kong. During his tenure as Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), he has played a pivotal role in spearheading major public works projects and in promoting quality improvements in the construction and engineering industries. He has also helped to take forward the Sichuan reconstruction projects sponsored by the HKSAR after the devastating Sichuan earthquake in 2008. We wish him a happy retirement."

     Commenting on Mr Jimmy Leung's appointment, Miss Yue said, "Mr Leung has solid experience in the work of the Planning Department and proven leadership and management skills. I am confident that he will be able to lead the Planning Department to meet the challenges ahead and continue to deliver professional and quality services to the community."

     On the retirement of Mrs Ava Ng, Miss Yue said, "Mrs Ng has served with strong drive and commitment in the civil service throughout the years. She was instrumental in successfully launching the HK2030 Study and has made commendable contributions in delivering a number of significant planning studies which have far-reaching implications for Hong Kong. She has also played a key role in the work of the Town Planning Board. We sincerely wish her a happy retirement."

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

Mr Mak Chai-kwong
-----------------

     Aged 59. Mr Mak joined the Government as an Assistant Engineer in August 1976. He was promoted to Chief Engineer in August 1994, to Government Engineer in May 1997, and to Principal Government Engineer in June 2000. He was Project Manager of New Territories East Development Office in the former Territory Development Department from June 2000 to November 2002, and Director of Highways from November 2002 to September 2006. He was appointed Permanent Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works (Works), in September 2006, and became Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) in July 2007 upon the re-organisation of the Government Secretariat.

Mr Wai Chi-sing
---------------

     Aged 55. Mr Wai joined the Government as an Assistant Engineer in August 1980. He was promoted to Chief Engineer in July 1996, to Government Engineer in November 2000, and to Principal Government Engineer in September 2004. He has been the Director of Highways since November 2006.

Mrs Ava Ng Tse Suk-ying
-----------------------

     Aged 58, Mrs Ng joined the Government as an Assistant Planning Officer (later retitled as Assistant Town Planner) in February 1977. She was promoted to Chief Town Planner in June 1991, to Government Town Planner in August 1994, and to Principal Government Town Planner in June 2000. She assumed the post of Director of Planning in July 2006.

Mr Jimmy Leung Cheuk-fai
------------------------

     Aged 57, Mr Leung joined the Government as an Assistant Town Planner in May 1978. He was promoted to Chief Town Planner in October 1994, to Government Town Planner in April 1999 and to Principal Government Town Planner in June 2007. He is currently the Deputy Director of Planning/Territorial.

Ends/Monday, May 24, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:00

NNNN