HONG KONG — The Hong Kong Independent Non-Executive Director Association (“HKiNEDA”), a major organisation of independent non-executive directors in the Greater China region, hosted on 22 September in Hong Kong its Annual Conference titled “New Challenges for Directors of Listed Companies”, which gathered directors in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China to discuss in depth and exchange views on the new challenges directors of listed companies face.
The conference began following the welcome speech of Mr. Anthony Fan, Founding President of HKiNEDA, and Mr. Roy Lo, Founding Deputy President of HKiNEDA, was the moderator of the panel discussion. Key speakers included Mr. Jack Jia, Partner of EY Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services; Mr. William Yuen, Director of Ascent Partners Valuation Service Limited; Ms. Rani Kamaruddin, Director of KPMG Advisory (Hong Kong) Limited; and, Ms. Rebecca Li, Director of Global Investigations and Strategic Intelligence Practice of Berkeley Research Group (Former Acting Head of Operations, Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption).
On the discussion panels were Ms. Cynthia Sze, Head of Financial Lines, Greater China Region, AIG Insurance Hong Kong Limited; Ms. Joanne Wong, Director of BMI Funds Management Limited; and, Mr. Sherman Yan, Managing Partner, Head of Litigation & Dispute Resolution, ONC Lawyers. The event had a perfect ending with Mr. Rex Yeung, Founding Deputy President of HKiNEDA, thanking all the guest speakers and participants.
Focusing on the hot issues surrounding directors’ duties in recent years, the conference covered four main topics: anti-money laundering, valuation of corporate transactions, cyber security and anti-bribery, with the more than 500 guests from several hundred companies in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China actively participated in the discussions.
With cases of misconduct by directors and senior executives of listed companies surfacing in recent years and causing concerns, the conference zeroed in on four major areas, namely how to formulate effective management measures to prevent, detect and deter money laundering and terrorism financing, SFC’s guidance note on directors’ duties regarding valuation of corporate transactions, cyber attacks and the potential threats they pose to a company’s internal operation, and how to develop a corporate anti-corruption culture, so that participating directors and management could better understand how to formulate and implement related policies and fulfil their duties.
In his opening address, Mr. Anthony Fan, Founding President of HKiNEDA, said, “HKiNEDA organised the first ‘Greater China INED Forum’ last year, which drew very warm responses from directors in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China. This year, HKiNEDA is honoured to have elites and representatives from various sectors to speak at the conference, sharing their insights and discussing and analysing different hot topics of concern among directors and senior executives.
“The crucial mandates of senior management of a listed company including executive and non-executive directors, and senior executives are specified in the Listing Rules. As a major organisation representing independent non-executive directors in the Greater China region, HKiNEDA strives to help independent non-executive directors of listed companies understand their duties and responsibilities, encourage them to perform duly and prove their value.
“We also support them in fulfilling their duties and supervising their company’s activities independently and in an honest and fair manner. HKiNEDA will step up effort to promote professional development of independent directors, as well as outstanding governance in listed companies, thereby contribute to the financial and capital markets in the Greater China region.”
Photo Caption (From left to right):
Ms. Joanne Wong, Director of BMI Funds Management Limited
Ms. Cynthia Sze, Head of Financial Lines, Greater China, AIG Insurance Hong Kong Limited
Mr. Sherman Yan, Managing Partner, Head of Litigation & Dispute Resolution, ONC Lawyers
Mr. Rex Yeung, Founding Deputy President of HKiNEDA
Mr. Roy Lo, Founding Deputy President of HKiNEDA
Mr. Anthony Fan, Founding President of HKiNEDA
Ms. Rebecca Li, Director of Global Investigations and Strategic Intelligence Practice, Berkeley Research Group
Ms. Rani Kamaruddin, Director of KPMG Advisory (Hong Kong) Limited
Mr. Jack Jia, Partner of EY Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services
Mr. William Yuen, Director of Ascent Partners Valuation Service Limited
Mr. David Li, Founding Vice President of HKiNEDA