The Government has appointed Ms Mary Ma Xuezheng and re-appointed Ms Anita Fung Yuen-mei, Mr Rafael Gil-Tienda and Mr Stephen Yiu Kin-wah as members of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) for a term of around two years from the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the HKEX in 2019 until the conclusion of the AGM of the HKEX in 2021.
 
     Announcing the appointments today (March 6), the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, "The appointments to the Board of the HKEX represent an important safeguard of the interest of the public. Ms Fung, Mr Gil-Tienda, Mr Yiu and Ms Ma are well respected and experienced professionals in the financial services and business sector. They also have immense experience in public services.
 
     "Ms Ma has extensive experience in corporate finance, private equity and Mainland businesses. Her rich experience and knowledge in the financial services sector will contribute to the HKEX's strategies to deepen financial co-operation with the Mainland and promote Hong Kong as a premier capital formation centre."
 
     The Board of the HKEX comprises a maximum of six directors appointed by the Financial Secretary, a maximum of six directors elected by shareholders, and the Chief Executive of the HKEX.
 
     The other incumbent directors appointed by the Financial Secretary are Mrs Laura Cha May-lung and Mr Benjamin Hung Pi-cheng.

     "We trust that all the directors will work closely together to further the development of Hong Kong as a capital raising and risk management platform in the best interest of the public at large," Mr Chan said.

     The tenure of Mrs Margaret Leung Ko May-yee will be completed after the conclusion of the AGM of the HKEX in 2019. Mr Chan expressed his gratitude to Mrs Leung for her dedicated services and invaluable contribution to the HKEX in the past six years.  
 
     The above appointments are made under the Securities and Futures Ordinance. The Ordinance, together with the HKEX's Articles of Association, empowers the Financial Secretary to appoint not more than six persons to be members of the Board of Directors of the HKEX where the Financial Secretary is satisfied that it is appropriate to do so in the interest of the investing public or in the public interest.

Ends/Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Issued at HKT 17:05

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