Hong Kong Securities Institute Launched (只 有 英 文 版 )

The Hong Kong Securities Institute was today hailed as a positive step towards further enhancing the SAR's role in the global finance arena.

The Hong Kong Securities Institute, or HKSI, aims to contribute to Hong Kong's success as a leading international finance centre by raising professional standards in the securities, futures and investment sectors of the financial services industries.

The Chairman of the Hong Kong Securities Institute is Dr Edgar Wai-kin Cheng JP, former Chairman of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Speaking for the first time in his new position, Dr Cheng stressed why the HKSI is important to Hong Kong's finance industry.

Competition within and between international financial centres is intensifying. The winners will be the individuals and markets with superior facilities, professional standards, financial market expertise and sophistication.

"The Hong Kong Securities Institute exists to encourage and nurture further development of these vital ingredients in our securities, futures and investment industries. By joining the Institute, practitioners will contribute to this important effort, as well as to their own professional development," said Dr Cheng.

Other objectives of the HKSI include promoting high standards of professional competence, providing industry personnel with the means to achieve high standards through training and examinations. These examinations lead to professional qualifications, serving as important career benchmarks within the industry.

The Institute will not just be concerned with technical training. Members will be required to conform to a Code of Practice, and to maintain high standards of personal integrity and business ethics, as well as continuing to meet high standards of professional competence.

HKSI will arrange a programme of professional events for members which will enable them to keep up to date with changes in this fast moving industry, and to enhance their knowledge and skills on a range of topics. The broad scope of the Institute creates a unique opportunity for cross-sectorial networking.

"Initially the membership drive will concentrate on established practitioners," said Mr Edward Kwan, a Director of the Hong Kong Securities Institute who will chair the Institute's Membership Committee. "There are different grades of membership for practitioners with greater or lesser amounts of relevant industry experience, and if people are in doubt whether they will qualify they should get in touch with us. We also welcome employing firms and organisations in the industry to apply for corporate membership."

"There are many benefits in membership including recognition of professional status, improved employability and career prospects. We are sure that membership will win the confidence of clients and colleagues and indeed the confidence of financial practitioners in overseas markets," said Mr Kwan.

The Hong Kong Securities Institute's (HKSI) mission is to raise professional standards at all levels of the securities, futures and investment sectors of the Hong Kong financial services industry. The HKSI offers membership to experienced and qualified practitioners of good repute, and will ensure provision of relevant training and qualifications for practitioners throughout their careers. The Institute has been widely welcomed by organisations and individuals as a solid contribution to ensuring that Hong Kong maintains its position as a leading financial centre.

Note to Editors

Governance and The Board of Directors of the HKSI

Dr Edgar Wai-kin Cheng JP, Chairman Hong Kong Securities Institute, Chairman and Managing Director of the World-Wide Investment Co Ltd, and was formally the Chairman of the Council of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and also a former Director of the Hong Kong Futures Exchange.

Mr Bob Bunker, Director of Mees-Pierson Asia (HK) Ltd, Chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of Investment Analysts, and Hong Kong Representative to the Asia Securities Panel for some years. He has nearly 30 years market experience and has been in Hong Kong since 1979.

Professor Steven YL Cheung, Head and Professor of Finance, Department of Economics and Finance, City University of Hong Kong.

Mr Steven Clark, Director of the Anglo Chinese Investment Company Ltd, and a steering committee member of The Corporate Finance Association. He has been a merchant banker for over 20 years, and is a founder of the Anglo-Chinese Group.

Mr Paul C H Fan, Chairman of Paul Fan Securities Ltd, former Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Stockbrokers Association, former Council Member of the Stock Exchange and former Member of SFC Advisory Committee.

Mr Richard Haw, Managing Director of Schroder Investment Management (Hong Kong) Ltd, and Hong Kong-based since 1978. He is a past Chairman of the Hong Kong Unit Trust Association, is a Mandatory Provident Fund Advisory Board Member and a Hang Seng Index Advisory Board Member.

Mr Edward P C Kwan, Executive Director of Wardley Financial Services Ltd and is a Director of the Hong Kong Futures Exchange and the HKFE Clearing Corporation Ltd.

Dr Bill C P Kwok, Director of Wing On International Holdings Ltd, and is a Managing Director of Wocom Holdings Ltd, the financial services division of the Group. He is also a Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Futures Exchange and a member of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Financial Services Advisory Committee.

Mr Tim Nicholson, HKSI Project Director, Managing Director of the Securities Institute (Services) UK, founding Chief Executive of the Securities Institute (UK). His City of London experience includes appointments with the London Stock Exchange and the Securities and Futures Authority.

Ms Cecilia Ting, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers. She has extensive experience of vocational training and qualifications, and is a member of the Banking training Board of the Vocational Training Council and is on the Advisory Boards of several Hong Kong colleges.

Mr Alec Y W Tsui, Chief Executive of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, Director of Financial Executives Institute, member of the Standing Committee on Company Law Reform and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Financial Services Advisory Committee.

Mr David White, Executive Director of Securities and Futures Commission. He was previously at the Australian Stock Exchange where he was in charge of Derivatives Markets. His career has included senior appointments in finance and investment banking.

For further information, please contact:

The Hong Kong Securities Institute
Tim Nicholson
Tel: (852) 2840 9286
Fax: (852) 2840 9349

Gavin Anderson & Company
Fabrice Baron
Andrew Robinson
Tel: (852) 2523 7189
Fax: (852) 2982 1239