The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries Elects Mrs. Natalia Seng as President for Third Term

HONG KONG, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire-Asia/ --

Key areas for 2009:

-- Expand marketing campaign to all levels of employers to make them

aware of on the impact and value Chartered Secretaries bring to

businesses

-- Development of Chartered Profession in Mainland China

-- Enhanced Continuing Professional Development Programme

-- Play a pivotal role in the establishment of a global trade body for

corporate secretaries and governance professionals

The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 10 December 2008 during which Council members for the ensuing year were duly elected (see attached HKICS Council list). The AGM was followed by a Council meeting during which the Honorary Officers were elected (see list attached) with Natalia Seng, Executive Director and Head of Corporate Services of Tricor Group being elected president for a third year.

"It is a great honour to be asked to continue to serve as president of the Institute for a third year and I would like to thank Council members for their support," said Mrs. Seng. "In 2009 we will continue to develop the profession with one of our main priorities being the highlighting of the benefits of employing Chartered Secretaries to employers. We have excellent relations with the regulators, government and academia and these will be maintained, but the time is right for the profession to broaden our appeal to all types of employers. In additional to main board listed issuers we need to prove to those at the second and third tier levels as well as the larger private companies and not-for-profit organisations the benefits of engaging Chartered Secretaries whose training and breadth of knowledge can help enhance their governance standards and improve their bottom line," Mrs. Seng added, "We will continue developing the Chartered Secretary profession in Mainland China such as establishing the Institute's qualifying scheme in the Mainland and seeking suitable Mainland universities primarily in Shanghai and Beijing to sign work with us in developing the profession and necessary academic qualifications. Moreover, our strong commitment to continuing professional development for members will also continue during 2009. Our fourth major initiative, together with professional bodies in other countries, will be to establish an international trade body for corporate secretaries and governance professionals that can lobby at the highest levels for the establishment of universally accepted standards of good governance principles from a practitioner's perspective."

About The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries

More than meets the eye.

The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries is an independent professional body with more than 5,000 members and approximately 2,500 students. It is dedicated to the promotion of its members' role in the formulation and effective implementation of good corporate governance policies in Hong Kong and throughout China as well as the development of the profession of Chartered Secretary.

The Institute was first established in 1949 as an association of Hong Kong members of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) of London. It became a branch of ICSA in 1990 before gaining local status in 1994.

The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries Council 2009:

Honorary Officers:

Mrs. Natalia K.M. Seng, FCIS FCS(PE) -- President

Mrs. April W.Y. Chan, FCIS FCS(PE) -- Vice President (re-elected)

Mr. Maurice W.F. Ngai, FCIS FCS(PE) -- Vice President

Mr. Douglas C. Oxley, FCIS FCS -- Treasurer

Council Members with Re-Elected/New Council Members:

Dr. Alan K.M. Au, FCIS FCS

Ms. Alberta K. Sie, FCIS FCS(PE) (newly elected)

Mr. Bernard T.L. Wu, FCIS FCS(PE)

Ms. Diana M.Y. Chung, FCIS FCS(PE)

Ms. Edith Shih, FCIS FCS(PE)

Ms. Polly O.Y. Wong, FCIS FCS(PE)

Mr. Richard W.K. Leung, FCIS FCS(PE) (Immediate Past President ex-officio)

Mr. Seaman S.M. Kwok, FCIS FCS (newly elected)

Ms. Susie S.F. Cheung, FCIS FCS

Committee Chairmen:

Education Committee -- Ms. Edith Shih, FCIS FCS(PE)

Membership Committee -- Mr. Maurice W.F. Ngai, FCIS FCS(PE)

Professional Development -- Mrs. Natalia K.M. Seng, FCIS FCS(PE)

Nomination Committee (new committee) -- Mr. Neil McNamara, FCIS FCS

(Past President)

Immediate Past President, Richard Leung, is also appointed to represent the ICSA China Division to the ICSA International Council for a term of three years commencing 1 January 2009.

Retired from Council:

Dr. Brian K.H. Lo, FCIS FCS

Ms. Doris W.N. Wong, FCIS FCS

For enquiries, please contact:

Ms. Elaine Cheung

Tel: +852-2881-6177

Fax: +852-2881-5050

Email: elaine@hkics.org.hk

Website: http://www.hkics.org.hk