The Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA), the leading representative organization of Hong Kong’s maritime community, today, 14th November 2016, announced changes to
its senior management personnel following an extensive review of long term succession planning.
• Managing Director Arthur Bowring to assume consultancy role during succession
• Business consultant Ms. Sandy Chan to be appointed as Managing Director
• Industry veteran Martin Cresswell to enhance Association’s technical capability
The Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA), the leading representative organization of Hong Kong’s maritime community, today, 14th November 2016, announced changes to its senior management personnel following an extensive review of long term succession planning.
Arthur Bowring, who joined the HKSOA as a consultant in 1995 prior to becoming Managing Director in 1997, will retire as Managing Director on 30 November 2016 to take on a senior consultancy and advisory role with the Association. On 1 December 2016, following Mr. Bowring’s retirement, Ms. Sandy Chan will be appointed Managing Director. Ms Chan has many years of senior management experience in various sectors, as a business consultant, former CEO of the Hong Kong Estate Agents Authority and former Principal Assistant Secretary for Economic Development in the HKSAR Government, specializing in strategic planning, policy analysis, trade negotiations and manpower development.
In an open letter to Mr. Bowring, current HKSOA Chairman Ms. Sabrina Chao paid tribute to his tremendous contribution to Hong Kong shipping affairs both locally and abroad: “For more than two decades you have represented Hong Kong across the world in ensuring that our shipping industry’s voice is heard and recognized. Whether it is in your work with the International Labour Organisation, the International Chamber of Shipping, the Maritime Services Training Board or the many other local, regional or international bodies on which you have represented the HKSOA, you have ensured that Hong Kong is a respected and vocal presence in maritime affairs. Your efforts to promote the shipping industry to a new, younger audience through initiatives such as Maritime Week have helped ensure that we will have a continued stream of young people joining our industry, whilst your tireless promotion of Hong Kong has seen Hong Kong continue to be and grow as one of the world’s great maritime centres in a period of unprecedented change for the shipping industry. Our industry and Hong Kong as a whole owe you a debt of gratitude.”
In welcoming Ms. Chan, Ms. Chao said “With her professional insights and wide exposure, Sandy brings to the table a broad level of experience in public and economic affairs in particular, which will help enhance the Association’s position in the community, and strengthen our representation in the national, regional, and international arena.”
Ms. Chao also welcomed Martin Cresswell to the HKSOA management team, where he will be taking on the role of Technical Director, which whilst not a full time position, will add to the Association’s acknowledged skills in addressing the technical impact of the increased regulatory environment for shipowners. Ms. Chao commented “Martin served as Chairman of the HKSOA Technical Committee from 1998 to 2009 and we are delighted to welcome him back into the fold. More than four decades of experience with Swire Shipping, where he rose from Junior Engineer to Fleet Director, make him ideally qualified to guide the Association on the wide range of technical issues the industry is facing.”
Ms Chao added: “With Arthur’s continued involvement in the HKSOA, and Sandy and Martin joining us, we can look forward to a very bright future.”
Photo: Mrs Sandy Chan (upper left), Mr. Martin Cresswell (lower left), Mr. Arthur Bowring (right)