CONFERENCE CHAIRPERSON
CO-SPEAKER, REGULATORY SESSION
WENDY W.Y. YUNG
Wendy Yung is an advocate for good corporate governance in Hong Kong. Prior to founding Practising Governance for this cause, Wendy was Executive Director and Company Secretary of Hysan Development and played a key role in developing and implementing its well-recognised corporate governance practices.
Wendy is also an independent non-executive director of Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd. (listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange) and a member of the Hospital Governing Committee of Queen Mary Hospital/Tsan Yuk Hospital. In addition, she sits on various committees of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute, having served as co-opted council member and council member of the institutes respectively.
Over the years, she had served as a member of the Listing Committee of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, the Standing Committee on Company Law Reform, and the Professional Accountants in Business Committee of the International Federation of Accountants.
First trained as a solicitor, Wendy also qualified as a certified public accountant and a governance practitioner in Hong Kong. She graduated with First Class Honours in Law from Oxford University, United Kingdom.
Wendy is also an independent non-executive director of Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd. (listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange) and a member of the Hospital Governing Committee of Queen Mary Hospital/Tsan Yuk Hospital. In addition, she sits on various committees of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute, having served as co-opted council member and council member of the institutes respectively.
Over the years, she had served as a member of the Listing Committee of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, the Standing Committee on Company Law Reform, and the Professional Accountants in Business Committee of the International Federation of Accountants.
First trained as a solicitor, Wendy also qualified as a certified public accountant and a governance practitioner in Hong Kong. She graduated with First Class Honours in Law from Oxford University, United Kingdom.
Macro overview: the new wave
George Chou
George Chou has been appointed as Chief Fintech Officer of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) since September 2023, with responsibilities for facilitating the healthy development of the fintech ecosystem in Hong Kong and promoting Hong Kong as a fintech hub in Asia. He joined the HKMA in 2009 and had since taken up different positions, including overseeing technology risk management of banks, and licensing and supervision of stored value facilities, before being appointed as Chief Manager of the Financial Infrastructure Development Division in 2022. Prior to joining the HKMA, George served various roles in the private sector of financial industry for over 10 years. George holds a Bachelor of Computer Science and Engineering degree and a Master of Business System degree from the Monash University, and a Master of Management degree in Financial Management from the Macquarie University.
Shang Chuang
Shang Chuang is the Chief Financial Officer at Klook. He oversees Klook’s financial functions and drives the company's strategic direction in finance to further empower and support business growth.
Shang has more than a decade of finance, managerial and operational experience. Prior to joining Klook, Shang was a senior executive for Noah Holdings Limited (NYSE: NOAH) for eight years serving various roles including Group CFO and CEO of Noah Hong Kong. Between 2003 to 2010, he served in Investment Banking and Private Equity divisions for Merrill Lynch playing key roles in notable IPO and M&A transactions.
He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Stern School of Business at New York University. Outside of work, Shang is an avid food lover who enjoys cooking and tasting cuisines from all over the world.
Shang has more than a decade of finance, managerial and operational experience. Prior to joining Klook, Shang was a senior executive for Noah Holdings Limited (NYSE: NOAH) for eight years serving various roles including Group CFO and CEO of Noah Hong Kong. Between 2003 to 2010, he served in Investment Banking and Private Equity divisions for Merrill Lynch playing key roles in notable IPO and M&A transactions.
He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Stern School of Business at New York University. Outside of work, Shang is an avid food lover who enjoys cooking and tasting cuisines from all over the world.
Paul Malam
Paul Malam is the Head of Policy and Secretariat Services of Listing Division at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX). Prior to joining HKEX in 2006, Paul worked for the London Stock Exchange's Listing Division and subsequently the Markets Division of the UK Financial Services Authority (now Financial Conduct Authority) on policy initiatives and monitoring issuers' compliance with UK Listing Rule continuing obligations. At HKEX, Paul developed and implemented several listing reforms and regimes, including the 2018 Listing Reforms (Chapters 8A, 18A and 19C), the SPAC listing regime, the Specialist Technology Company regime and the recent GEM Review.
Regulatory + governance update
Robin Healy
Robin Healy is a practising governance professional with two decades of company secretarial experience. He is Director – Corporate Governance Secretariat of Link, a listed multinational real estate investment trust and a constituent of the Hang Seng Index. In this role, he is responsible for supporting the board and providing a full suite of company secretarial services for this acquisitive group.
Robin has held senior roles in HSBC in both London and Hong Kong, latterly as HSBC’s Global Head of Corporate Governance Advisory. At HSBC, he was responsible for the formulation and delivery of solutions to multi-jurisdictional governance, legal and regulatory issues. Prior to that, he was the Deputy Company Secretary of SEGRO plc, a FTSE100 real estate investment trust, where in addition to his company secretarial role, he was a trustee for two defined benefit pension schemes. Having started his career in information systems, Robin then trained as a chartered secretary in Centrica plc, a FTSE30 energy company with operations spanning into telecoms and insurance.
Robin has held senior roles in HSBC in both London and Hong Kong, latterly as HSBC’s Global Head of Corporate Governance Advisory. At HSBC, he was responsible for the formulation and delivery of solutions to multi-jurisdictional governance, legal and regulatory issues. Prior to that, he was the Deputy Company Secretary of SEGRO plc, a FTSE100 real estate investment trust, where in addition to his company secretarial role, he was a trustee for two defined benefit pension schemes. Having started his career in information systems, Robin then trained as a chartered secretary in Centrica plc, a FTSE30 energy company with operations spanning into telecoms and insurance.
WENDY W.Y. YUNG
Wendy Yung is an advocate for good corporate governance in Hong Kong. Prior to founding Practising Governance for this cause, Wendy was Executive Director and Company Secretary of Hysan Development and played a key role in developing and implementing its well-recognised corporate governance practices.
Wendy is also an independent non-executive director of Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd. (listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange) and a member of the Hospital Governing Committee of Queen Mary Hospital/Tsan Yuk Hospital. In addition, she sits on various committees of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute, having served as co-opted council member and council member of the institutes respectively.
Over the years, she had served as a member of the Listing Committee of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, the Standing Committee on Company Law Reform, and the Professional Accountants in Business Committee of the International Federation of Accountants.
First trained as a solicitor, Wendy also qualified as a certified public accountant and a governance practitioner in Hong Kong. She graduated with First Class Honours in Law from Oxford University, United Kingdom.
Wendy is also an independent non-executive director of Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd. (listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange) and a member of the Hospital Governing Committee of Queen Mary Hospital/Tsan Yuk Hospital. In addition, she sits on various committees of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute, having served as co-opted council member and council member of the institutes respectively.
Over the years, she had served as a member of the Listing Committee of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, the Standing Committee on Company Law Reform, and the Professional Accountants in Business Committee of the International Federation of Accountants.
First trained as a solicitor, Wendy also qualified as a certified public accountant and a governance practitioner in Hong Kong. She graduated with First Class Honours in Law from Oxford University, United Kingdom.
RICHARD HOUNG
Richard Houng is responsible for Computershare’s issuer services in Asia, with its over 1000 global clients listed in Hong Kong, representing over 80% of total market cap. With over 25 years of experiences in service delivery excellence, Richard is focused in providing a full range of solutions and innovations to the ever-evolving challenges faced by issuers today.
As the Chairman of the Federation of Share Registrars (FSR), Richard is a strong advocate of the interests of issuers, shareholders, and the industry. He is actively involved in industry-shaping initiatives such as jointly leading the Uncertificated Securities Market (USM) workgroup with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX).
Prior to joining Computershare, Richard held leadership positions in Securities Services, Asset Management and Management Consulting industries, across multiple countries, including the United States and Hong Kong.
As the Chairman of the Federation of Share Registrars (FSR), Richard is a strong advocate of the interests of issuers, shareholders, and the industry. He is actively involved in industry-shaping initiatives such as jointly leading the Uncertificated Securities Market (USM) workgroup with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX).
Prior to joining Computershare, Richard held leadership positions in Securities Services, Asset Management and Management Consulting industries, across multiple countries, including the United States and Hong Kong.
ESG: new climate disclosures and beyond
Ricky Cheng
Ricky Cheng is BDO’s Director and Head of Risk Advisory, with major responsibility in the area of risk advisory services. He specialises in assisting clients in managing their internal audit function and meeting corporate governance requirements in both Mainland China and Hong Kong.
Ricky has 20 years of risk and assurance experience. He worked for large international accounting firms and had commercial internal audit experience. His expertise covers various services such as Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance, risk management assessment, compliance assistance, corporate governance compliance review, internal audit assistance, business process review, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) readiness and reporting support services review, stored value facilities (SVF) licence independent assessment review, etc.
The portfolio of clients managed by Ricky comes from various industries including transportation, property development and construction, gaming and entertainment, hospitality, manufacturing, gold and minerals mining, fast moving consumer goods, retailing and department chain stores, financial institutions such as brokerage houses and derivative products companies.
Ricky is a frequent event speaker of related topics for professional body organisations and training for listed and non-listed companies.
Ricky is currently the Chairman of the Research and Education Committee and the Governor of The Institute of Internal Auditors Hong Kong. He is also the Advisory Board member of Global Centre of ESG Education and Research of The Hong Kong Management Association. In addition, Ricky also serves as the member of Advisory Peer Group of The Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Sustainability Committee of The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Ricky is the Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He is also a Certified Internal Auditor.
Ricky has 20 years of risk and assurance experience. He worked for large international accounting firms and had commercial internal audit experience. His expertise covers various services such as Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance, risk management assessment, compliance assistance, corporate governance compliance review, internal audit assistance, business process review, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) readiness and reporting support services review, stored value facilities (SVF) licence independent assessment review, etc.
The portfolio of clients managed by Ricky comes from various industries including transportation, property development and construction, gaming and entertainment, hospitality, manufacturing, gold and minerals mining, fast moving consumer goods, retailing and department chain stores, financial institutions such as brokerage houses and derivative products companies.
Ricky is a frequent event speaker of related topics for professional body organisations and training for listed and non-listed companies.
Ricky is currently the Chairman of the Research and Education Committee and the Governor of The Institute of Internal Auditors Hong Kong. He is also the Advisory Board member of Global Centre of ESG Education and Research of The Hong Kong Management Association. In addition, Ricky also serves as the member of Advisory Peer Group of The Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Sustainability Committee of The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Ricky is the Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He is also a Certified Internal Auditor.
Poon Chi Kit
Poon Chi Kit joined Geely Automobile Holdings Limited in July 2011. He was appointed as the Head of Internal Audit with effect from October 2015 and is in charge of risk assessment and monitoring, internal audit, and internal control infrastructure development. He is also the Head of Environmental, Social and Governance and supports the Sustainability Committee to promote Geely Auto’s sustainable development. Mr. Poon holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the National University of Singapore. He is a fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Poon has over 17 years of experience in auditing, accounting and financial management.
Patrick Ho
Patrick Ho is responsible for formulating and executing a corporate sustainability strategy for Swire Properties’ global operations across Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland and U.S.A. portfolios. Through engaging stakeholders, setting targets and developing action plans, he leads a team to manage the full spectrum of the company’s environmental, social and economic impact and to integrate ESG considerations into every facet of Swire Properties’ business.
In his role, Patrick works with senior leaders to establish the 1.5°C Science-Based Targets (SBT) to align with the pathway of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. He also worked on developing the Green Finance Framework for Swire Properties’ first US$500 million green bond and HK$500 million sustainability-linked loan, responding to emerging areas of sustainability such as Climate-related Financial Disclosures aligned with TCFD, embodied carbon emissions analysis for new development projects, and a strategic assessment of the climate-related physical and transition risks and opportunities under various future climate scenarios.
Patrick also led Swire Properties maintains its top listings on several global and regional sustainability indices and ratings, including the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (ranked 2nd globally), Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB, Global Sector Leader in Mixed Use Developments for 7th consecutive year), and Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index (No. 1 in Hong Kong for 6th consecutive year).
Patrick is a Chartered Environmentalist, a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and a Certified Carbon Auditor Professional. He sits on the Board of Business Environment Council and Corporate Advisory Board of World Green Building Council, and is a Member to the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Expert Advisory Group for Building Sector, and a Steering Committee Member of Climate Change Business Forum of the Business Environment Council.
In his role, Patrick works with senior leaders to establish the 1.5°C Science-Based Targets (SBT) to align with the pathway of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. He also worked on developing the Green Finance Framework for Swire Properties’ first US$500 million green bond and HK$500 million sustainability-linked loan, responding to emerging areas of sustainability such as Climate-related Financial Disclosures aligned with TCFD, embodied carbon emissions analysis for new development projects, and a strategic assessment of the climate-related physical and transition risks and opportunities under various future climate scenarios.
Patrick also led Swire Properties maintains its top listings on several global and regional sustainability indices and ratings, including the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (ranked 2nd globally), Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB, Global Sector Leader in Mixed Use Developments for 7th consecutive year), and Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index (No. 1 in Hong Kong for 6th consecutive year).
Patrick is a Chartered Environmentalist, a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and a Certified Carbon Auditor Professional. He sits on the Board of Business Environment Council and Corporate Advisory Board of World Green Building Council, and is a Member to the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Expert Advisory Group for Building Sector, and a Steering Committee Member of Climate Change Business Forum of the Business Environment Council.
Best practice sharing
Elaine Chan
Elaine Chan is the Data Science and Management Director of AXA Hong Kong & Macau. In this role, Elaine leads both data management and various data science initiatives including Big Data Analytics, Machine Learning, and AI innovation for AXA Hong Kong & Macau to deliver cutting-edge data science/AI technology for bringing high values to customer experience as well as top-notch technology support to business growth and efficiency. Elaine joined AXA Hong Kong in 2014 and led the team received various prestigious Big Data Analytics/ AI technology awards in Asia Region every year throughout 2016-2024. Earlier on, Elaine has been interviewed by Bloomberg Business Week Magazine (Chinese Edition) as Women in data science profession at “Women in IT Tech” feature article. In 2020, she has been invited to a feature interview with Argyll Scott as “Inspiring Business Women In APAC”. In 2021, she was the Chairlady and Chief Judge of “Institute of Financial Technologist of Asia’s Girls in Tech Hackathon” co-organized with Microsoft and other Hong Kong Tech organizations. Elaine was also invited as one of the guest lecturers for Hong Kong University SPACE’s Advanced Diploma in FinTech.
Prior to joining AXA, Elaine worked in Ageas Hong Kong and Cigna Hong Kong specialized in data & analytics fields. Elaine has over 18 years of experience working with data analytics and predictive modelling, who started her career with ExxonMobil and subsequently moved into the insurance industry.
Elaine is a qualified Project Management Professional (PMP), Fellow Life Management Institute (FLMI), Certified Financial Technologist (CFT), and Certified Internet Marketing Practitioner (CIMP). She completed her Data science and Computing science education at Simon Fraser University in Canada, and Artificial intelligence study at University of Oxford. Elaine is currently Vice Chairlady of the Data Analytics Group at Institute of Financial Technologist of Asia (IFTA).
Prior to joining AXA, Elaine worked in Ageas Hong Kong and Cigna Hong Kong specialized in data & analytics fields. Elaine has over 18 years of experience working with data analytics and predictive modelling, who started her career with ExxonMobil and subsequently moved into the insurance industry.
Elaine is a qualified Project Management Professional (PMP), Fellow Life Management Institute (FLMI), Certified Financial Technologist (CFT), and Certified Internet Marketing Practitioner (CIMP). She completed her Data science and Computing science education at Simon Fraser University in Canada, and Artificial intelligence study at University of Oxford. Elaine is currently Vice Chairlady of the Data Analytics Group at Institute of Financial Technologist of Asia (IFTA).
Joyce Liu
Joyce Liu heads the Global Affairs and Research Division of PCPD. Her responsibilities include providing policy advice and developing guidance in relation to personal data protection and international privacy landscape. Representing the PCPD, Joyce is actively involved in international engagements. She also provides legal support to the PCPD in overseeing and enforcing compliance with the local privacy laws.
Joyce holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from and completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws at the University of Hong Kong. She was admitted as a solicitor to the High Court of Hong Kong.
Joyce holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from and completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws at the University of Hong Kong. She was admitted as a solicitor to the High Court of Hong Kong.