The Hong Kong Management Association held its 59th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, 2 July 2020 at its Headquarters. Mr Helmuth Hennig, Chairman of the Association reported that the year 2019, despite the various challenges, had been a remarkable year during which many aspects of the work of the Association were further advanced and strengthened. “The year 2019 was a year of unprecedented challenges not only for the Association but also the business community of Hong Kong at large.” said Mr Hennig. “The Association stands tall at this defining moment and continues to offer quality education and training programmes to prepare young talents, executives and business leaders for the uncertainties and challenges ahead of us.”

The Association devoted specific outreaching efforts through the Institute of Advanced Management Development (AMD), Institute of Healthcare Management (HCM) and Academy for Retail Innovation and Management (ARIM). With a diversified range of prestigious programmes in collaboration with world-class professors and institutions including University of Cambridge; Georgetown University, Shanghai University, University of Cologne, Laurentian University and The National University of Ireland, Galway, University of Oxford, Harvard Law School, and Washington University in St Louis, the AMD served a rich blend of experiential learning and seminars for students and executives from both Hong Kong and around the world.

In view of the huge demand for legal training and education for both legal and non-legal professionals, the Association has strengthened the offerings in the law programmes. In partnership with the University of Law, a new series of legal programmes, including the Graduate Diploma of Law, MA in Law and LLM Legal Practice programmes were launched in 2019. Riding on the initial success of these pioneer programmes, the Association will extend education and training programmes concerning the legal environment of different industries.

To further strengthen the leadership structure of the Association, two new committees, namely the Mainland China Committee and Young Leaders Committee were established, with the former setting the Association on track to capture a wider range of market opportunities through arranging GBA industry-focus seminar series and courses on Mainland China business ecosystem; and the latter aiming to engage aspiring young leaders in the works of the HKMA while providing a platform for young talent to learn, network and develop. “I firmly believe that the Committee will open new frontiers for the Association’s youth work and come up with novel ideas that will map out a bright future for Hong Kong and our younger generation.”, said Mr Hennig.

In anticipation of the 60th Anniversary of the Association, Mr Hennig also reported on and called for members’ support on a series of ground-breaking initiatives that were in the pipeline, including A “Powerful Management Insights” video series featuring veteran business leaders; a new video platform called “WeChannel” featuring speakers at the Association’s previous seminars and conferences; the 60th Anniversary Talent Development Fund; the HKMA Diamond Anniversary Dinner as well as the “Most Respected Organizations” Awards to be presented to outstanding organizations that are highly supportive of the work of the Association and have made substantial contributions to the economic development of Hong Kong and the Region over the past six decades.

Mr Hennig paid tributes to the two Deputy Chairmen, all the members of the Council, Sub-committees, Management Committees, Working Committees, Organizing Committees, as well as the Specialist Clubs. “I believe that we shall make Hong Kong stronger in the management field and weather the storm with all the concerted efforts.” he said.

At the Annual General Meeting, nine elected or re-elected Council Members were as follows:

• Prof Viveca Chan, Chairman & CEO WE Marketing Group
• Mr T K Chiang, Managing Director, CLP Power Hong Kong Ltd
• Mr Helmuth Hennig, Non-Executive Member of the Board, Jebsen Group
• Dr Jacob Kam, Chief Executive Officer, MTR Corporation Ltd
• Dr Albert Ma, Chairman & Managing Director, Hong Kong L.P. Gas ( Holdings) Ltd
• Dr Y K Pang, Deputy Managing Director, Jardine Matheson Limited
• Prof Edith Shih, Executive Director and Company Secretary, CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd
• Mr Kent Wong, Managing Director, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited
• Mr Patrick Wu, Managing Director & Leader, Greater China, Duff & Phelps

At the Council Meeting held immediately after the Annual General Meeting, Mr Helmuth Hennig, Non-Executive Member of the Board, Jebsen Group, was re-elected as Chairman. Mr S K Cheong, Strategic Consultant to the Board, Television Broadcasts Limited and Dr Y K Pang GBS JP, Deputy Managing Director, Jardine Matheson Limited, were re-elected as Deputy Chairmen respectively.

A “Meet the Chairman and Council” Networking Drink was held immediately after the Council Meeting at the Hong Kong Club. Fifty Council, Charter, Corporate and Full Members attended the event.

Issued by The Hong Kong Management Association on 2 July 2020.