Government appoints Managing Director of Urban Renewal Authority

The Government announced today (May 19) that the Chief Executive has, on the recommendation of a selection panel chaired by the Financial Secretary, appointed Mr Wai Chi-sing as Managing Director of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) for a term of three years starting from June 15, 2016.

Mr Wai is an engineer by profession. Mr Wai served in the civil service for 35 years and was Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) before retirement.

Mr Wai will succeed Mr Daniel Lam, who has served as the Managing Director of the URA since June 15, 2015.

The Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, said, "Mr Wai is a veteran professional engineer with an outstanding track record in infrastructure development, project management and public administration. I am confident that Mr Wai will lead the URA management to scale new heights in its endeavours.

"I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mr Daniel Lam for his invaluable contribution to the work of the URA in the past year. His exceptional leadership and extensive experience were invaluable to the URA's efforts in fulfilling its mission in urban renewal."

Mr Wai was selected through an open recruitment exercise for the Managing Director post of the URA. A consultancy firm was appointed to conduct the exercise and the shortlisted candidates were considered by a selection panel chaired by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang. Panel members included non-official member of the Executive Council, Mr Chow Chung-kong; the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan; the Chairman of the URA, Mr Victor So Hing-woh; and member of the URA Board, Mr Stanley Wong Yuen-fai.

The Secretary for Civil Service has, on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Post-service Employment of Civil Servants, given approval for Mr Wai to take up the appointment.

The Managing Director of the URA is the administrative head of the URA and Deputy Chairman of the Board of the URA.

A brief biography of Mr Wai is as follows:

Mr Wai joined the Hong Kong Government in August 1980, and has since served in the Transport Department, the Highways Department, and the former Environment, Transport and Works Bureau. He was the Director of Highways from November 2006 to June 2010 and was Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) from June 2010 to April 2015 before retirement.

Mr Wai holds a master's degree in transportation engineering from Purdue University in the United States. He has professional qualifications in civil, structural and geotechnical engineering.

Ends/Thursday, May 19, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:00

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