Hang Seng Bank to appoint first woman as its chairman later this year
- Independent director Irene Lee to replace Raymond Ch’ien as chairman following the bank’s annual meeting in the second quarter
- Lee serves as a board member at HSBC and executive chairman of Hysan Development company
The Hong Kong lender said Raymond Ch’ien Kuo Fung would retire after 13 years as chairman to devote more time to his other commitments and interests following the bank’s annual meeting, which is expected in the second quarter of this year.
“I am excited to take up the role of chairman at a time when the digital era is bringing major shifts in the banking industry, with services becoming more integrated into customers’ daily lives,” Lee said in a statement. “Hang Seng is a home-grown brand with a unique Hong Kong franchise. Its long history of commitment to the Hong Kong community will never change. In the shorter term, we will do our part to support Hong Kong in putting its economy back on the road to recovery.”
“Irene will be making history as the bank’s first woman chairman,” Ch’ien said. “Together with its vice-chairman and chief executive Louisa Cheang, Hang Seng will be trailblazing by having two of Hong Kong’s most talented female leaders steering the bank forward, an exciting milestone for the bank’s 88th anniversary this year. Having Irene and Louisa at the helm will provide further inspiration or promotion of diversity in Hong Kong’s corporate leadership.”
In addition to serving as Hang Seng’s chairman, Ch’ien is a justice of the peace, honorary president of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries and an independent director of China Resources Power Holdings Company and Swiss Re.
