Press Release

Senior appointments announced

     The Government announced today (December 17) the following senior appointments:

     (a) Mrs Marion Lai Chan Chi-kuen, Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), will assume the post of Permanent Secretary for Education on January 19, 2015;

     (b) Mrs Cherry Tse Ling Kit-ching, Permanent Secretary for Education, will assume the post of Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food) on January 19, 2015; and

     (c) Mr Yau Chi-chiu, Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services, will succeed Mr Sin Yat-kin as Commissioner of Correctional Services with effect from December 26, 2014. Mr Sin will proceed on pre-retirement leave on the same day after 35 years of service with the Government.

     Commenting on the appointment of the two Permanent Secretaries, Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Paul Tang, said, "The appointees are seasoned Administrative Officers with rich experience in public administration and proven leadership and management skills. I have every confidence that they will continue to serve the community with professionalism and dedication in their new capacities and rise to the challenges ahead."

     Commenting on Mr Yau's appointment, Mr Tang said, "Mr Yau has proven leadership and administrative skills, profound professional knowledge and extensive operational experience. I am confident that he will be able to lead the Correctional Services Department to meet the challenges ahead."

     On the retirement of Mr Sin, Mr Tang said, "Mr Sin has served with commitment in the Civil Service throughout the years. As the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Sin has made sustained efforts in providing a secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy environment for persons in custody and working in collaboration with the community and other agencies to provide opportunities for rehabilitation of offenders. We sincerely wish him a happy retirement."

     Brief biographical notes on the four officers are set out below:

Mrs Marion Lai Chan Chi-kuen
-----------------------------------------

     Aged 55, Mrs Lai joined the Administrative Service in August 1982 and rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in April 2011.

     Mrs Lai has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Councils and Administration Branch, the former Medical and Health Department, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former General Duties Branch, the Housing Department, the former Security Branch, the former Civil Service Branch, the former Official Languages Agency, the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office, the Social Welfare Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. She was Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Information Technology and Broadcasting) (later renamed Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Communications and Technology)) from March 2003 to June 2007, and Director-General of Telecommunications from July 2007 to March 2010. Mrs Lai has been Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food) since April 2010.

Mrs Cherry Tse Ling Kit-ching
---------------------------------------

     Aged 55, Mrs Lai joined the Administrative Service in August 1982 and rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in April 2011.

     Mrs Lai has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Councils and Administration Branch, the former Medical and Health Department, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former General Duties Branch, the Housing Department, the former Security Branch, the former Civil Service Branch, the former Official Languages Agency, the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office, the Social Welfare Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. She was Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Information Technology and Broadcasting) (later renamed Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Communications and Technology)) from March 2003 to June 2007, and Director-General of Telecommunications from July 2007 to March 2010. Mrs Lai has been Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food) since April 2010.

Mr Sin Yat-kin
-------------------

     Aged 57, Mr Sin joined the Government as Officer in the then Prisons Department (renamed Correctional Services Department in 1982) in June 1979. He was promoted to Senior Superintendent of Correctional Services in December 2002, to Assistant Commissioner of Correctional Services in September 2005 and to Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services in November 2009. He has been Commissioner of Correctional Services since September 2010.

Mr Yau Chi-chiu
---------------------

     Aged 54, Mr Yau joined the Government as Officer in the then Prisons Department (renamed Correctional Services Department in 1982) in January 1980. He was promoted to Senior Superintendent of Correctional Services in July 2005, to Chief Superintendent of Correctional Services in April 2007 and to Assistant Commissioner of Correctional Services in March 2008. He has been Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services since September 2010.

Ends

Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:03

NNNN

The Government announced today (December 17) that Mrs Marion Lai Chan Chi-kuen, Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), will assume the post of Permanent Secretary for Education on January 19, 2015.

The Government announced today (December 17) that Mrs Cherry Tse Ling Kit-ching, Permanent Secretary for Education, will assume the post of Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food) on January 19, 2015

The Government announced today (December 17) that Mr Yau Chi-chiu, Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services, will assume the post of Commissioner of Correctional Services on December 26, 2014.