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The Government announced today (September 20) the following senior appointments:
(a) Mr Michael Vernon Stone, Deputy Representative in the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Geneva, will serve as Permanent Representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of China to the World Trade Organization (WTO) with effect from September 25, 2012. He will succeed Mr Martin McKenzie Glass, who will retire after 28 years of service; and
(b) Ms Linda Lai Wai-ming, Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, will succeed Miss Mary Chow Shuk-ching as Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union on October 16, 2012.
Commenting on the appointments, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Paul Tang, 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 Martin McKenzie Glass, the Secretary for the Civil Service said, "Mr Glass has served with loyalty and commitment in the civil service throughout the years, and has made exemplary contributions to the development of Hong Kong in various spheres. During his tenure as Permanent Representative of the HKSAR of China to the WTO, Mr Glass has made commendable efforts in promoting and protecting Hong Kong's trade interests, earning profound respect from the WTO Secretariat and other WTO Members. We sincerely wish him a happy retirement."
Brief biographical notes on the three officers are set out below:
Mr Martin McKenzie Glass
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Aged 59, Mr Glass joined the Administrative Service in June 1984 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2009.
Mr Glass has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Economic Services Branch, the former Finance Branch and the former Finance Bureau. He was on secondment to the United Kingdom Department of Transport from October 1990 to March 1993, and Deputy Secretary for the Treasury (later renamed Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury)) from January 1997 to April 2007. He has been Permanent Representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China to the World Trade Organization since April 2007.
Mr Michael Vernon Stone
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Aged 58, Mr Stone joined the Administrative Service in September 1976 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B in January 1993.
Mr Stone has served in various bureaux and departments, including the Transport Department, the former New Territories Administration, the former Finance Branch, the former University and Polytechnic Grants Committee, the former Recreation and Culture Department, the former Municipal Services Branch, the former Security Branch and the former Civil Service Branch. He served as E-government Co-ordinator from August 2001 to August 2003, and Secretary-General, University Grants Committee from August 2003 to September 2011. He has been Deputy Representative in the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Geneva since September 2011.
Ms Linda Lai Wai-ming
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Aged 50, Ms Lai joined the Administrative Service in September 1984 and rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2009.
Ms Lai has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Civil Service Branch, the former Economic Services Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Security Branch, the former Finance Branch, the Home Affairs Department, the former Economic Services Bureau and the former Transport Bureau. She was the Deputy Representative in the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels from January 2001 to July 2004, and Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food (Welfare and Women) (later renamed Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food (Family and Women)) from September 2004 to August 2006. She has been Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Commerce and Industry) (later renamed Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce and Industry)) since August 2006.
Ends/Thursday, September 20, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:01
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