The Hong Kong Management Association held its 55th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, 7 July 2016 at its Headquarters. Mr Alfred Chan BBS, Chairman of the Association reported that the year 2015 was indeed a year filled with pleasing accomplishments in the ever more diversified work of the Association.

Mr Chan reported that the launch of the Institute of Advanced Management Development (IAMD) in 2015 has been an important milestone in the Association`s history. "It has reinforced HKMA`s brand position as the leading professional organization which spearheads the practice of management excellence in Hong Kong, by filling the gap of the underserved market segments. Within just 14 months after its establishment, the Institute was able to offer a total of 20 senior executive development programmes to nearly 1,000 business professionals in collaboration with world-renowned academic partners including Cornell University, Cambridge, Yale, Fudan, University of Pennsylvania, University of Mainz, and Drucker Academy, " reported by Mr Chan.

In addition, to enable businesses to outperform despite of adverse market environment, a new consulting service has been launched in partnership with CEO mindPower Ltd, aimed to assist companies to turnaround business in four simple steps, attaining instant and impressive business growth in just a matter of a few months. In the same direction, the Association has also introduced a Corporate Wellness and Health programme which should help organizations to build a happy, healthy and engaged team.

Furthermore, the Association has benchmarked the renovation project of its new property in Tsim Sha Tsui against the top-notch institutions and businesses in Hong Kong, and has eventually transformed the property into one of the most superior learning and development centres that brings greater convenience in location and more importantly a unique learning experience to HKMA members and course participants. The Opening Ceremony of the new Centre was successfully held on 4 July 2016.

During the meeting, Mr Chan announced that he would step down from the Chairmanship. Mr Chan expressed his sincere thanks to members of the Council, the Executive Committee and various Committees for their generous assistance and wise counsel. "It is my great honour to be elected Chairman of our Association two years ago. I have been very fortunate to enjoy your support since then," said Mr Chan.

At the Annual General Meeting, 11 elected or re-elected Council Members were as follows:

• - Mr Giovanni Angelini, Chairman, Angelini Hospitality
• - Mr Alexander Arena, Group Managing Director, HKT Ltd
• - Dr Michael Chan, Chairman, The Chairman`s Office
• - Mr S K Cheong, Executive Director and General Manager, Television Broadcasts Ltd
• - Dr Roy Chung BBS JP, Co-founder and Non-executive Director, Techtronic Industries Co Ltd
• - Mr David Fong BBS JP, Managing Director, Hip Shing Hong (Holdings) Co Ltd
• - Ir Alkin Kwong JP, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive, Hong Yip Holdings Ltd
• - Mr Michael Leung, Executive Chairman, Top Secret Fashion Concepts Ltd
• - Mr Godfrey Scotchbrook, Managing Partner, Scotchbrook Associates International Ltd
• - The Hon Michael Tien BBS JP, Chairman, The G2000 Group
• - Mr Michael Wu, Chairman and Managing Director, Maxim`s Caterers Ltd

At the Council Meeting held immediately after the Annual General Meeting, Mr James Thompson GBS, Chairman, Crown Worldwide Holdings Limited was elected Chairman of the Association. Mr Michael T H Lee JP, Director, Oxer Limited and Mr Hans Helmuth Hennig, Group Managing Director, Jebsen & Co Ltd were re-elected and newly-elected as Deputy Chairman respectively. Mr Alfred Chan BBS was admitted as Honorary President of the Association.

This year, there are five new Council Members. They are:

• - Mr Alexander Arena, Group Managing Director, HKT Ltd
• - Mr David Fong BBS JP, Managing Director, Hip Shing Hong (Holdings) Co Ltd
• - Miss Randy Lai, Managing Director, Hong Kong, McDonald`s Restaurants (HK) Ltd
• - Mr Stephen Leung, Country Manager, Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Ltd
• - Mr Daryl Ng JP, Executive Director, Sino Group

A "Meet the Chairman and Council" Networking Drink was held immediately after the Council meeting at the Hong Kong Club. Over 50 Council, Charter, Corporate and Full Members attended the event.

Introduction on Mr JamesThompson GBS
Mr James Thompson GBS is the Chairman and Founder of the Crown Worldwide Group of Companies. He graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Shortly after his graduation, he went to Asia in 1963 and within two years he established his company in Yokohama, Japan. With a focus on providing quality service, the company soon prospered and expanded into Hong Kong, Singapore, other Asia Pacific locations, as well as America, Australasia and Europe. It is now the world`s largest privately-held group of international logistics and related services companies.

Over the years, Mr Thompson has earned great acclaim for his tireless dedication to our community. He served on a number of government committees, statutory bodies and charitable organizations. He was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2003 in recognition of his substantial contribution to the community.

Mr Thompson first became involved in the work of the Association in 2010 as a member of the Council. He has been an Executive Committee member since 2013 and Deputy Chairman since 2014. Since 2014, he has been leading the Corporate Development Sub-committee in formulating the strategic direction of the HKMA.

He has given the HKMA his full support in different capacities, including Chairman of the Organizing Committee (2012 - 2014), Member of the Panel of Judges (2006-2015), Chairman of the Panel of Judges (2016-present) of the HKMA Quality Award; member of Finance Sub-committee (2012 - present); adjudicator of Award for Excellence in Training and Development (2011) and member of Organizing Committee of the Annual Conference (2011-2012)

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Issued by The Hong Kong Management Association on 7 July 2016 (Thursday).