britain in hong kong march 2012
DESCRIPTION
Britain in Hong Kong is the highly regarded monthly magazine of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. The magazine is sent out to all full members both in Hong Kong and abroad, as well as to a database of other key contacts in Hong Kong. The magazine features news and articles supplied by member companies. Members are entitled to submit news items, new appointments as well as informative articles.TRANSCRIPT
March 2012 Vo l 27 No 2
Not For Sale
10 Prime London Residential Investment Outlook16 22 Visiting the
Philippines
w w w . b r i t c h a m . c o m
Logisticsin Hong Kong
BritainHONG KONGIN
Leadership Solutions
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL:info@ipglobal-l td.com
IP Global Ltd17th Floor, 88 Gloucester RoadWanchai, Hong KongTel: (852) 3965 9300 Fax: (852) 3965 [email protected]
www.ipglobal-ltd.com
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Close proximity to a variety of shops, offices and schools including Garden International School, Mont Kiara International School and the French International School
World class five star in-house facilities including a 24 hour hotel-style concierge service, parking, roof top garden, gym and sauna
Selection of area includi
Adjacent to to KLCC
Close proximGarden InteFrench Inter
World class concierge se
OVER 60% SOLD
LUXURY FREEHOLD INVESTMENT IN ONE OF KUALA LUMPUR’S MOST DESIRABLE SUBURBS
Established expat enclave with 95% occupancy rates**
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UP TO 70% LTV* *Subject to status
**Data taken from Complete Ltd on mature projects in Mont Kiara December 2011
Prime London Residential Investment Outlook16
Editor
Sam Powney
Design
Winnie Li
Lilian Yu
Ken Ng
Advertising Contact
Charles Zimmerman
Project Management
Vincent Foe
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Britain in Hong Kong
4 Chairman’s Message
7 London’s RMB Bid
9 Leadership Solutions
12 Interview with Damian McKinney
14 Unemployed Youth
16 London Property
20 UK Bribery Act
Room 1201, Emperor Group Centre,
288 Hennessy Road, Wanchai
Tel: 2824 2211
Fax: 2824 1333
Website: www.britcham.com
LogisticsOutlook
Visiting the Philippines
5
22
21 Bitto : the oldest cheese in the world
22 Travel: Philippines
25 Upcoming Events
26 Member Discounts
29 News and New Appointments
30 New Members
31 Shaken Not Stirred
Contents
Kevin Taylor
Chairs of Specialist Committees
MessageChairman’s
Against the cloudy backdrop of Hong
Kong’s recent political happenings and the
imminent leadership election, I am delighted
to address you in our magazine’s new and
improved format. I hope you like it.
Early in February, Financial Secretary, Mr.
John Tsang, delivered his f inal budget
address for the current administration and
attempted to highlight the Government’s
legacy of stability and growth despite the territory’s
growing social issues and the uncertain global economic
outlook.
From a tax perspective, the government has not
addressed several critical requests from the business
community, which includes a comprehensive review of
the age old tax system. Tax competitiveness is a critical
component towards Hong Kong sustaining its position
as a major regional fi nancial and business centre. On the
brighter side, the government has proposed to inject $149
billion to improve essential services across education,
health and social welfare, and it aims to address the
scarcity of residential-ready land, which will remain a
community issue for some time to come.
Along with the Australian Chamber of Commerce in
Hong Kong, we jointly hosted a special lunch for Michael
Andrew, Chairman, KPMG International. Based in Hong
Kong, Michael is the fi rst global chairman of a Big Four
accounting firm to be based in the Asia Pacific region.
He discussed the significance of his move to Hong
Kong and his thoughts on the current challenges of the
global fi nancial markets. At the luncheon, he refl ected on
lessons learnt working with clients at KPMG, and
provided insights into how businesses can still succeed
internationally in turbulent times. The most pleasing thing
is Michael is quite bullish on the global economy from the
second half of this year. This is nice to see.
At a similar distinguished gathering that our Chamber
organised, John Micklethwait, Editor-in-Chief of The
Economist discussed global economic and political
prospects for the year ahead. We feel privileged to attract
global thinkers and change agents to create
meaningful dialogue at Britcham events.
Chancellor George Osborne will present
the UK Budget on March 21st. The UK
business lobby group, CBI has urged the
government to make targeted changes to
British the tax system. A breakfast briefi ng
is being organised to cover the main UK
Budget Tax news, focusing on how it
affects businesses and residents in Hong Kong and
the region. It will also include a post-budget analysis of
feedback from UK professional bodies and the media.
I am also very pleased to announce that our Women
in Business Committee is launching an ‘Inspirational
Women’ series of seminars this month, with the support
of Barclays. The ever-active Women’s Committee has
organised this series to create opportunities for corporate
and individual members to engage with topics of
professional interest to contemporary business women.
And now to the biggest and most promising sporting
action of the year....The weekend of Sevens action is
fi nally upon us from March 23 – 25, book your seats for
the Britcham and KPMG Rugby Dinner which promises
to be a thrilling night of rugby entertainment.
The Chamber has a busy annual calendar of insightful
discussions and networking events, please do make
good use of our events.
On a side note, I have fi nally embraced the world of 140
characters and will be tweeting regularly, if you wish to
follow me: twitter.com/KevinTaylorHK
All the best,
Business Policy Unit
Tim Peirson-Smith
Executive Counsel
China Committee
David Watt
DTZ
Construction Industry Group
Derek Smyth
Gammon Construction
Education Committee
Stephen Eno
Baker & McKenzie
Environment Committee
Anne Kerr
Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited
Financial Services Interest Group
Debbie Annells
Azure Tax Consulting
HR Advisory Group
Brian Renwick
Boyden Search Global Executive
ICT IT Committee
Craig Armstrong
Standard Chartered
Marketing & Communications Committee
Adam O’Conor
Ogilvy & Mather Group
Real Estate Committee
Jeremy Sheldon
Jones Lang LaSalle
Scottish Business Group
John Bruce
Hill & Associates
Logistics Committee
Mark Millar
M Power Associates
Small & Medium Enterprises Committee
Kate Kelly
K2PR
Women in Business Committee
Sheila Dickinson
Ipac Financial Planning Hong Kong Limited
YNetwork Committee
Fiona Foxon
Quintessentially
Business Angel Programme
Neil Orvay
Asia Spa & Wellness Limited
Britain in Hong Kong 5
In the context of increasingly
globalised supply chains, Hong
Kong is clearly recognised
as one of the world’s leading
logistics hubs – reflected by
our impregnable position as
‘The Gateway’ into and out-
of mainland China, our role as
a de-facto regional distribution
hub for the Asia Pacifi c region, and our pre-eminent status
in global freight as the world’s number three container port
and largest air-cargo hub. With a longstanding leadership
in trade and logistics – contributing around a quarter of
both GDP and local employment – Hong Kong has always
punched above its weight.
Challenges Ahead
We can expect tough market conditions in the year ahead
- economic challenges in the developed markets will affect
global trade, resulting in softening demand for product
shipments. Hong Kong will experience challenges with
cargo volumes – both air and ocean freight sectors will
likely be impacted.
However, Hong Kong’s logistics sector also stands to
gain from some of the supply chain optimisation initiatives
being undertaken by major manufacturers and retailers.
Inventory reduction programs often necessitate just-in-
time replenishment, which in turn drives demand for air
freight shipments. Companies are also seeking to optimise
their transportation spend, often migrating more cargo
to ocean freight whilst also exploring multi modal sea-air
solutions.
Sustainable Competitive Advantage
Hong Kong’s sustainable competitive advantage as a
leading global logistics hub will revolve around three pivotal
competencies – best in class international transhipment
hub, centre of excellence for logistics skills and leadership
in e-logistics.
As the world’s leading cargo transhipment hub, Hong
Kong will continue to grow. The International Air Transport
Association (IATA) forecast that Hong Kong will be the
world’s fastest-growing air cargo market. It is therefore
imperative to proceed urgently with the airport expansion
project, including sustainably building the third runway and
associated facilities.
From the e-logistics perspective, Hong Kong’s increasingly
widespread adoption of e-freight initiatives throughout the
international air and ocean cargo sectors is increasing
efficiencies whilst providing environmental benefits such
as reducing paperwork. Within the cross border trucking
sector, introduction of electronic submission of road cargo
information enables seamless customs clearance at the
land boundary control points.
Firmly reinforcing its position as a leading regional centre
of excellence for logistics industry skills and talent
HONG KONG LOGISTICS OUTLOOK
Mark Millar, Logistics Committee Chairman
C ove r S t o r y 4
Mark Millar MBA, PMHKLA, FCILT, GAICD
Mark Millar is Managing Partner of M
Power Associates, providing supply
chain and logistics consulting,
advisory and recruitment services
that empower superior performance.
With over 25 years global business experience,
Mark is acknowledged as an industry thought
leader — clients have engaged him as Speaker,
Moderator or Conference Chairman at more than
200 functions in 17 countries. Mark serves as Chair
of the Logistics Committee at the British Chamber.
development, Hong Kong is home to 60 educational and
vocational training institutions, offering more than 1,000
programmes and courses related to logistics and shipping.
Government funded training allowances benefi t small and
medium enterprises.
Opportunities within Asia
The ‘Asia Era’ is firmly upon us - the rapidly expanding
consumer markets within Asia Pacific, many of them
seemingly unaffected by financial woes in the western
world, present further opportunities for Hong Kong to
expand its role as a Regional Distribution Centre (RDC).
Providing efficient and competitive warehousing and
distribution services, coupled with cost effective multi-modal
transportation options, leveraging our extensive connectivity
and privileged free-port status, provide an ideal RDC
platform from which to serve all the markets in Asia.
Furthermore, the local logistics sector has the support of
Central government, with the 12th Five Year plan fostering
Hong Kong’s continued development as a centre for high-
value inventory management and regional distribution.
Conclusion
Hong Kong enjoys an enviable and sustainable leadership
position within global supply chains, performing three
distinct and critical roles:
• China Gateway – b id i rect iona l channe l fo r
international cargo movements into and out-of the
mainland
• Regional Distribution Centre – leading free port
location with unparalleled air and ocean connectivity
to serve the rapidly expanding consumer markets and
growing populations throughout Asia
• Global Logistics Hub – logistics epicentre servicing
global supply chain ecosystems – with unparalleled
multimodal connectivity - north, south, east and west
Looking to the year ahead, I am confi dent that despite the
global economic challenges, our competitive advantages
will endure and our entrepreneurial spirit will ensure
continuing leadership in global logistics with Hong Kong
empowering effective and efficient global supply chain
ecosystems.
C ove r S t o r y
As the UK pushes to secure London’s position as an
offshore trading hub for progressively internationalising
Chinese currency, a look at the situation in Hong Kong
can offer some insights into the trend of developments.
Since Beijing took its first tentative steps towards the
internationalisation of the renminbi in June 2009, the Hong
Kong stock market has been abuzz with new financial
products linked to the mainland currency. Investors
could be fairly confident that the world’s most famously
undervalued currency could at the very least hold its
current level, considering the enormous pressure the US
still puts on China to allow the renminbi appreciate to its
fair value. Economists may have recently become less
bullish about the renminbi, but ‘it can only go up’ is still the
accepted view on the street. Sales of so-called ‘dim sum
bonds’ (stocks in Hong Kong listed companies sold in
renminbi) nearly quadrupled across 2010 to 2011.
Meanwhile, London expressed its interest in taking a role
in the internationalisation of the renminbi almost as soon
as that process began. The UK has recently signed a
deal with the Hong Kong government aimed at making
London a leading global centre for offshore trading of
China’s currency. The BBC reported Chancellor Osborne
as saying that, ‘London is perfectly placed to act as a
Gaining Currency
gateway for Asian banking and investment in Europe’.
Many Britcham members will already be familiar with
Chancellor Osborne’s plans, as he expressed the same
message when he gave a speech at the Hong Kong
Jockey Club last year, explaining that London would
‘complement not compete’ with Hong Kong.
Osborne confirmed that he agreed with Wang Qishan
to col laborate on the development of renminbi-
denominated fi nancial products and services in London,
during the Chinese Vice Premier’s visit in September
last year. However, the excitement appeared to come
more from the British side, and a Xinhua News Agency
report in February this year warned that London still had
many years of work ahead before it could become an
international renminbi trading hub. As the world’s largest
currency trading market, London already acts as the
conduit for somewhere between 10 and 30% of global
renminbi trading, but total trade in renminbi outside
China remains comparatively small and therefore illiquid.
Nevertheless, former HSBC Chairman Baron Green of
Hurstpierpoint has predicted that by 2015 the renminbi
will be one of the three major global trading currencies.
To many observers that seems a little ahead of time,
considering that at present the renminbi is not an
By Sam Powney
Britain in Hong Kong 7B u s i n e s s 6
investment currency in international markets and
that few foreign governments hold any renminbi as
foreign exchange reserves. On the other had, the
Chinese government seems to have been pushing the
internationalisation much faster than it is often given
credit for. According to the news agency Bloomberg, EU
Chamber of Commerce in China president Davide Cucino
has claimed that senior (but unidentifi ed) Chinese offi cials
signalled to him that the yuan will reach ‘full convertability’
by 2015. More concretely, Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of
the People’s Bank of China, has recently said that the
renminbi should be allowed to float more freely, which
many analysts took to mean that Beijing is indeed ready
to further loosen its grip.
As for London’s role in renminbi conversion, there are
a couple of other potential hindrances which could
impede the city’s plans. John Ross, visiting professor
at Antai College of Economics and Management, Jiao
Tong University Shanghai suggested in an article in the
Guardian newspaper in January that Chinese leaders
would likely prefer that a European renminbi hub should
be centred at the heart of the European Union (thus
helping to stabilise the Euro) rather than in London. On
the other hand, if China is indeed accelerating its push
for currency internationalisation, then the Euro’s current
instability might well tip Beijing towards Osborne’s
invitation. Indeed, Britain already seems at least to have
Hong Kong’s enthusiastic cooperation as evinced by
the ‘joint private sector forum’ on the yuan between
the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and HM Treasury
announced in January. It is as yet unclear how much the
“London-Hong Kong Forum” will achieve, but its first
meeting will take place in May this year.
Lastly, while international markets eagerly anticipate the
renminbi’s imminent convertability, mainland investors
do not seem as confi dent in the stability of their currency
as many outsiders are. According to an estimate by JP
Morgan analysts, China’s capital outflows for the fourth
quarter of 2011 reached US$65 billion. The SCMP’s
China business monitor Tom Holland picked up on the
apparent rise in dollar-hoarding on the mainland in the
last few months, as did (‘the other’) Stephen Green,
head of Greater China research at Standard Chartered in
December last year.
However, while there is undoubtedly a long-held respect
for major foreign currencies inside China, the current
outflow could have more to do with China’s overvalued
investment markets and the capital controls in place
preventing overseas investment by Chinese citizens, than
any lack of confi dence in the yuan per se. This might go
some way to explaining why Beijing last month granted
the fi rst Chinese asset management company a license to
sell ‘exchange traded funds’ tracking HK-listed companies
to mainland investors, part of a move announced last year
by Vice-Premier Li Keqiang. While denominated in RMB
and sold only in the mainland, such ETFs give Chinese
residents a valuable conduit to diversify their savings into
the relative stability of the Hong Kong stock market. If
expanded, the liquidity from these ETFs has the potential
to do for Hong Kong’s stock market what mainland buyers
have already done to Hong Kong property. And of course
it’s possible that similar schemes could eventually extend
to other stock markets, including London.
Overall, it seems likely that given time London is in
a position to become a substantial renminibi trading
hub, especially considering the city’s market size, its
geographical position, the present instability of the
Eurozone, and the timing of the yuan’s internationalisation.
The greater question remains, what impact a fully
convertible RMB would have upon China’s economy, the
global economy, and even the global geopolitical balance
of power.
B u s i n e s s
Britain in Hong Kong 9
Smart leaders “know what they don’t know”
One of the secrets to success is not ‘what you can do’,
or ‘what you know’ but identifying and delegating to the
‘right individual(s)’. The primary question you should ask
yourself is, ‘Am I fully leveraging the competencies, skills
and knowledge of others?’
Delegating is a key leadership trait. It challenges and
strengthens your communication, asking questions,
listening, planning, decision-making and problem solving
skills. It also develops staff trust, rapport and builds
stronger relationships.
3 Ways to Delegate
The following are three delegation approaches which
can be used independently or in combination based on
the situation and requirements.
Option One: Limited Involvement. Individuals are given
the task overview and expectations. Responsibility for
planning and ‘how to do’ are shifted to the individual.
Involvement from that point forward is ‘as required’.
Option Two: Monitor, Mentor Them. Leader introduces
task, provides in depth, step-by-step execution plan,
expected results and closely monitors progress.
Option Three: Coach Them. After introducing the
task overview, leader invests the necessary time
to ask questions, listen to answers and help
the individual understand the task in detail, invite
comments, ideas and opinions. Great leaders stretch
staff thinking by asking them for better ways to handle
the task. Individuals are encouraged to take calculated
risks to improve processes, productivity and results.
Tip 1: Delegate What?
Leaders instinctively know what tasks to delegate and
what they should handle themselves. However, before
deciding to delegate, ask yourself a series of questions:
• ‘What can only be best performed by me?’
• ‘What activities generate the most revenue for the fi rm?’
• ‘What are the time-wasters that should be stopped
to maximize my time?’
• ‘What repetitive, simple tasks can be passed to
another?’
• ‘Do I have the time and resources to mentor, coach
and train the delegate?’
• ‘Who has strong innovative, creative skills
that could do tasks even better?’
• ‘Who are the emerging talent that would
benefi t from taking on additional tasks?’
Delegate to Motivate
By Dr. Robert EdmonsonCEO of Paradigm21
8B u s i n e s s
Tip 2: Defi ne the Scope
No matter how simple the project, work out a 6 Step
plan to help clarify the scope:
• Determine the project purpose and value.
• Mentally visualize the end result.
• Use powerpoint slides, sketch a chart, mapping or
a graph.
• Describe the required resources and support.
• Defi ne milestones, expectations and realistic timelines
for each step.
• Assess each step to determine specifi c skills required
Tip 3: Delegate To?
To help determine the best candidate, consider the
following factors:
• Do they have the t ime to take on addit ional
responsibilities?
• Are they open to taking on new challenges and
stretching themselves?
• Do they have the foundation skills and knowledge to
handle the task?
Motivating to Succeed.
Appealing to individual self-interests is the key to
motivating others to succeed. Here are some key
concepts to consider:
• Each person is motivated for different reasons.
Reasons come from within them, not from others.
• Motivation begins with doing something they really
want to do.
• Understand what motivates the person selected for
the task.
• Discuss the positive impact the project will have on
the company and staff.
• Describe their strengths and why they were selected
for the project.
• Highlight possible future opportunities and recognition
for their contribution.
Words Infl uence.
When describing the task, remember the words you
use will influence their thinking and perception. Use
motivational phrases like:
• ‘We feel you have the competencies that will defi nitely
make this project successful’.
• ‘Being directly involved will enhance and strengthen
your knowledge of…..’
• ‘This project is challenging and will stretch your skills
and I know you are up for it’.
Tip 4: Communicate to Understand the Plan
When the delegated task is completed, will it resemble
your expectations? One of the biggest obstacles
leaders face when delegating is communication. Clearly
explain the project’s purpose, its value, details, their
responsibilities, resources and support provided, timeline
and expectations to the delegate.
Collaboration.
Visuals amplify understanding and learning. The brain
is programmed to recognize and recall visual images to
quickly understand, innovate and arrive at solutions.
Use the document created in Tip 2: Define the Scope
to collaborate with the delegate on the task. After
discussing the project, chart and details, ask the delegate
to re-sketch the task scope and write out the details as
they understand it based on your description.
Ask, Listen.
To eliminate possible communication gaps, ask questions
about their sketch and details, then listen to understand
their perspective.
Strengthen Understanding.
Did the description match what you had in mind?
Don’t be a perfectionist. Even if you don’t totally agree
with their interpretation --- remain nonjudgmental.
Look for what is good and ask questions about what
doesn’t exactly match.
Tip 5: Their Brain
Although instructions are necessary --- micromanaging is
non-productive and highly demotivating. Recognize that
individuals are unable to perform a task exactly as you
would do it --- in fact, they may do it better. While some
prefer to work totally independent, others may invite
supervision to stay on track.
Their Style.
For individuals to take project ownership they must use
their own personal style. Telling them ‘how to do’ the
task using your hard-wired thinking will only become a
barrier to them maximizing performance.
B u s i n e s s
Britain in Hong Kong 11
Responsibility.
Ensure the responsibility and authority level are aligned.
Shift responsibility and control to the individual. This
shift encourages commitment, passion and dedication
to taking action to achieve goal. When you empower
others, they become partners to success.
Tip 6: Ongoing Support & Monitoring
People welcome interactions to get positive input on their
performance and progress.
Periodic Check-ins.
Mutually agree on periodic progress check-ins. Periodic
check-ins demonstrate your ongoing support, interest,
keeps things on track and identifi es potential problems to
‘prevent’ rather than time consuming, costly ‘fi xes’.
Encourage Collaboration.
Many times people are reluctant to offer input or ask
questions. One of the purposes of on-going meetings
is to collaborate and exchange ideas. So encourage
comments and questions.
Tip 7: Powerful Praise
Do you complement or praise someone for their
contribution? Being appreciated is a basic human
requirement everyone needs and wants.
Appreciating In Action.
All praise and compliments must be genuine and
honest. It should also be very ‘specifi c’ so the individual
knows what they did well. This reinforces a repeat of the
behavior and begins to build new habits. Here are some
suggested approaches:
• ‘Your work is very high quality because you always ……..’
• ‘I am very happy with your performance and the
outcome as it……….’
• ‘I really appreciate your help because……’
Potential Rewards.
Although people are internally motivated by self-interests
such as a ‘purpose to believe in’, they also appreciate
external, tangible rewards too such as being highlighted
in the company newsletter, dinner vouchers, included in
talent development programs or presented with an award
at annual gathering.
Tip 8: Think Solutions, Not Problems
If the task is not going well or behind schedule maintain a
supportive, helpful attitude as getting upset or angry only
complicates matters.
Avoid focusing on the problems as it will create self-
doubt, fear, demotivate and lower confidence. Stay
solution-focused on what could be done to improve the
situation such as:
• ‘Would you like to brainstorm some ideas to find
ways to improve the situation?’
• ‘What do you think you could you do differently to
achieve the goal?’
Rethink, Reframe Task.
The brainstorming and collaboration could indicate
the project or task needs to be restructured or require
someone with special skills.
Tip 9: Expected Outcome?
Le t ’s assume the resu l t s a re no t up to you r
expectations. You have a choice. You can reprimand,
criticize, berate, blame and say a variety of negative
things to show your unhappiness. All of which only
make matters worse for the individual and serve to
damage your image.
Conversely, you can use a self-directed, positive
app roach f ocused on l ea r n i ng and pe r sona l
development. This method helps the individual review the
situation for refl ections on what was learned, what they
would do differently in the future to improve performance
and how they could share that knowledge with others to
avoid a repeat.
‘Self-directed’ Learning Approach in Action
‘The f ina l outcome didn’t turn out the way we
expected, and I know you’re not happy with the
results. Let’s focus on what you could have done to
change the outcome.’
• ‘What are the 3 most valuable things you learned
from this project?’
• ‘If you had it to do over again what would you change?’
• ‘If you observed yourself, how would you describe
your actions?’
• ‘What things were you very successful in doing?’
• ‘Overall, what have you learned from this project?’
• ‘What would you tell others to avoid ending up in the
same situation?’
Delegating clearly delivers proven benefits to leaders,
staff and the organization. It allows leaders to focus
on higher priority tasks while developing trust and
motivation, creating opportunities to strengthen staff
knowledge and skills, and to achieve even more.
10
What’s your background?
I grew up in East Africa, then served with the Royal
Marines for 18 years. I had a fantastic military career,
most of it on operations, ie. doing it for real! I was
involved in everything from the fi rst Gulf War to operations
in Central America, Northern Ireland, even this part of the
world. I left as a young lieutenant and then went straight
into consultancy.
What made you decide to go in that particular
direction?
I knew I wanted to go into business, but I fell into
consulting more or less by accident. I wanted to go into
a company, work my up and have a real career, and
consulting gave me a good chance to observe a lot of
different companies. I saw that many companies were
not particularly well led, didn’t align their plans well, didn’t
have a particularly strong performance culture, didn’t
really drive management in an intelligent way.
We do a lot of work on execution – that’s what in my
previous life I would refer to as ‘operations’ – ie. the
action. But I used to do everything from planning the
rescue operations in Bosnia with the Ministry of Defence
and the Commando Brigade, down to operating a four-
man team. So I feel very comfortable working in the
different levels of business too.
Which mi l i tary values are part icular ly
transferable to working in business?
I’d say luck is on our side. I refer to the period between
the end of the Cold War and 2001 as a ‘phoney war’. So
now that the world has become more unstable again –
you suddenly need a mindset which is used to dealing
with uncertainty all the time. One of the great maxims in
the Royal Marines is ‘always expect the unexpected’.
Another transferable is simple power of leadership. Many
businesses that I was exposed to after leaving the military
were pretty good at management but poor at leadership.
There’s a fundamental difference. Management is about
allocating resources; leadership is about inspiring people.
Part of the problem is that we have a bonus culture: if you
want someone to perform more, you just give them more
money – that’s a very management-minded approach. In
the military you have to really inspire people to go forward.
The third thing is being able to deploy a plan in which
everybody truly understands their part. I fi nd that many
Interview with Damian McKinney,CEO of McKinney Rogers. Damian McKinney started the consultancy firm McKinney Rogers in 1999, shortly after leaving a military career as a Commander in the Royal Marines. Driven by a philosophy drawing on military experience, the firm has rapidly become one of the most successful newcomers in its fi eld. In a world that has become more vulnerable to new ‘strategic shocks’, an agile approach is in high demand.
B u s i n e s s
Britain in Hong Kong 13
businesses go through a strategic planning process,
then they produce their annual operating plan or budget,
then they’ll have the objectives session…and none of it
is really connected. So you end up with a lot of friction,
no-one really understands what they’re suppose to be
doing, some just do what they want to do anyway, and
so on and so forth. There is a clarity that comes with
military experience. And the last thing is being able to
intelligently use your given information to plan for the
future (rather than just analysing the past).
If you go into any bookstore, you can see half
a dozen titles along the lines of ‘Sun Tzu in
the Boardroom’. Are there some analogies
between warfare and business which you have
to be careful of?
Where any books are rolled out with the claim, ‘this is the
defi ning way of running a business’, that’s clearly missing
the point. On the other hand leadership is thousands of
years old - there’s nothing new about it. The key theme
is the art of leadership and how you execute it. I think
any of these books needs to be read with some tongue
in check. What you need to ask is, ‘Is there anything
in here which is useful to my personality and are there
any examples of authentic leadership?’. It’s not about
being on page 126 of the latest bestselling management
manual. I know a charming American manager who used
to read all those books and follow to the letter whatever
he was reading at that moment. He came to me one
day and said he was adopting the ‘one touch rule’, from
some book which advised a good deal of physicality
among colleagues. The problem was that it didn’t suit his
personality at all, it came across as very inauthentic, and
he ended up just aggravating people.
Sir Robert Fry, McKinney Rogers Executive
Chairman, ta lked to the Chamber last
year about strategic shock. Are modern
corporations particularly susceptible to major
political and macro-economic shocks?
In this day and age companies live it all the time. The
plus side of globalisation is obvious, but the downside
is that we are so interdependent that an event in any
one place can have serious ramifications all across
the world. It used to be said that when America gets
sneezes, the world catches a cold. Now those colds
can come from anywhere. All major companies are
feeling this effect now.
One of the things you advocate is ‘Mission
Alignment’ – ie. making sure all the units and
individuals in an organisation understand the
overall plan and their concrete goals within
that. Isn’t there an old strategist’s dilemma
here between keeping everyone in the loop
and increasing the risk of leaking important
information?
Within business there are certain projects which, for
many reasons – including insider trading for example, you
have to keep secret. It’s an interesting challenge because
people these days want to know everything. And if you
don’t tell them, then to some extent they don’t trust
you. But perhaps more frequently companies have the
opposite problem. We bewilder employees with too much
detail, and they just don’t need all that information. At the
end of the day it creates ‘white noise’. The only important
things we really need to know are ‘where are we going as
an organisation?’ and ‘why is that important?’. Whether
we’re involved in putting a man on the moon or making
our fi rm the number one in our sector, as human beings
it’s nice to be part of something great. To have a sense of
shared achievement - that’s worth all the money in China.
But while you don’t have to know all the petty details
about the entire organisation, it’s important for you as
an individual not just to know your part, but also to
understand your boss’s role and your boss’s boss’s role
as well. Ultimately you’re part of a larger, ongoing plan,
and if you feel part of that plan then you can be fl exible
to change. In the absence of clear alignment and a clear
vision, you can try to limit chaos by just sticking to your
prescribed objectives and ignoring everything else. But
overall, and simply by defi nition, that creates chaos.
There’s a widespread perception that banks
and corporations have recently encountered
a disconnect between their high risk, rapid
profi t-making arms and their overall strategy
of long-term endurance and stability. Do
you think that’s true? Can a more coherent
business strategy prevent this?
I think that’s about ethics not strategy. I’m afraid that
simply has to do with your moral compass. There are
things in this world which are the right thing to do, and
things you know are wrong - but if you don’t have a set
of governing principles, you’ll go ahead and do them
anyway. Most companies have values and code of
conduct. Unfortunately not everyone always believes
in those codes. Someone said to me once, ‘Oh, we’ve
got values – that’s a PR exercise.’ Well, if you take that
attitude, what do you stand for? Values in themselves are
not obviously important to everyone until they’re needed.
Then, suddenly, they become very important. I’ve seen
companies where that dedication to principles is being
watered down. Firm guidance is something which has to
come from the top – it’s part of leadership.
12
First StepsBy David Dodwell, Executive Director, Hong Kong – APEC Trade Policy Group
E d u c a t i o n
Trad Poe Policde PPolide Poe PoTradrara PeeTrC addddCEC
At a time of economic uncertainty, David Dodwell
addresses an issue that often goes unnoticed in Hong
Kong: youth unemployment.
As we enter the Year of the Dragon, and the fourth year
of the Great Recession, it is more than usually important
to fi nd something upon which we can build hope. That’s
a tough challenge, with most indicators in Europe still
pointing sharply down, and the US flat-lining at best.
There is even hand-wringing about prospects for China’s
economy — though quite how gloomy one should get
about GDP growth tumbling to 8.9% is open to question.
The one sliver of recent good news seemed to come
from the US job market, where there was breathless talk
of a “manufacturing renaissance” following news that the
US had created more net manufacturing jobs in the past
24 months than all of the other “Group of 7” developed
economies put together.
While the news was undoubtedly welcome, perspective
is needed: the US lost 2.3 million factory jobs between
2007 and 2009, and since then has created just 330,000
new jobs. US employment, at 11.8 million, is still about
2 million below pre-recession levels. Obama still has a
long way to go to pull unemployment down from the 9%
level it has been stuck at for his entire term of offi ce —
and no-one believes the latest uptick is strong enough
to provide ammunition for the Presidential election battle
that lies ahead.
The caution is in part due to concern that many of the
world’s unemployed have simply stopped chasing jobs
until prospects improve. But it is also due to the grim
reality that certain parts of every population — even ours
in Hong Kong — are suffering very much more than
others — in particular our unemployed youth.
Data recently released by the United Nations shows a
troubling global picture. Putting aside the millions that
are working for poverty wages, or are underemployed,
the global total of young unemployed rose steadily from
Britain in Hong Kong 15
1994 right through to 2005, right under the nose of a
powerful global economic boom. Only in the final two
years of the boom did youth unemployment fall — from a
peak of nearly 79 million to 70 million in 2007. The Great
Recession has seen a bounce back up to 75 million. This
is what is meant in the labour market by “last in, fi rst out”
when it comes to hiring and fi ring.
The angst that haunts and scars the young as they
picture the nightmare possibility of unemployment and
poverty stretching years ahead is something I feel strong
empathy with, because I graduated from university in the
UK in the mid-Seventies, in the thick of a deep British
recession and Thatcher’s battles with the Trade Unions.
It was the scariest of times. I would pass street-sleepers
and wonder if this too might be my fate if the recession
didn’t ease.
I suppose for today’s young unemployed the message
of my own haunted times is that the scary times pass.
Economies recover. It may take time — and the scars left
by those terrible years may take a long time to heal —
but dreadful times do eventually come to an end.
For a Spanish or Greek 20-year-old,
with youth unemployment above
40%, such a message maybe
brings very cold comfort, especially
if you have no skills. But how much
less grim can it be in the US, where
youth unemployment is over 17%?
Or in Hong Kong for that matter.
We may have low unemployment
overall, but the off icial jobless
number for people under 25 is
nearly 8%,, and a recent United
Nations report on
global employment trends for
youth comments that true youth
unemployment in Hong Kong
“could be as much as double the
official rate if all of the additional
inactive youth are really holding out
hope for future employment”.
The “inactive youth” are youngsters that are “either “hiding
out” in the education system instead of facing a pointless
job search, or idly waiting at home for prospects
to improve”. The UN estimates Hong Kong’s youth
unemployment to be around 24%. No wonder there are
so many volunteers ready to camp in tents under the
Hong Kong Bank headquarter building as part of the
“Occupy” movement.
Hong Kong's problems may be modest by comparison
with those in many countries worldwide, but our leaders
have no space for complacency. Our future Chief
Executive, and the civil servants who will administer and
implement his visions and strategies, will need to give
highest priority to quality education and training that is
powerfully tailored to job market needs. Our leadership
will need to focus hard on macroeconomic and fi nancial
stimulus — which for Hong Kong means facilitating the
survival and growth of SMEs, in particular in the services
economy — even if that means annoying the many
powerful vested interests that many of our disenchanted
youth believe get more than their fair share of the
economic breaks in Hong Kong.
Surely the time to inject hope — and to lay foundations
for a skilled and motivated workforce that can fuel our
recovery when the recession eventually ebbs — is exactly
now, when we are at the nadir.
14
The property market in the
prime locations of Central
London has been r is ing
s t e a d i l y f o r a n u m b e r
o f years - the quest ion
prospective buyers have
always asked is whether this
is a bubble or whether it is
sustainable growth?
The Capital Market
Looking briefly at 2011, despite the ongoing financial
crisis in the Eurozone, the level of transactions remained
stable throughout the year. Although purchasers did
show more signs of caution, demand remained strong,
particularly from overseas buyers, who still regard
London as a safe haven for their capital. There was
continued investment activity from both
European and Asian buyers. The latter
included first indications of real interest
from mainland Chinese buyers.
In contrast to the strong levels of
demand in the market, the levels of
supply were very weak. However, it
took longer to agree sales because
buyers were taking a more cautious
approach. Of course properties that were correctly
priced and in good locations continued to sell quickly,
whilst properties that were in some way blighted or over
priced were taking longer to dispose of. The market
became more price sensitive and we expect that this
will continue into 2012. The level of price increases
varied - in the prime locations they rose by some 14%,
where there is most activity from international buyers,
whilst in the prime domestically-dominated locations of
south, west and north London they rose by 7%.
This year it is anticipated that prices will continue to rise
across central London, but with the weakened economic
outlook this may not be at the levels experienced in
2011, an average across central London is thought likely
to be around 5%.
Rental Market
The letting market in 2011 started strongly. As with the
sales market there was a shortage of supply and a strong
demand. By the end of the second quarter rents had
risen by just over 4.25%, taking them above the previous
high in 2007. The second half of the year saw rents fall
marginally as the Eurozone crisis deepened and more
uncertainty blighted the City.
The level of new properties coming to the market
has remained fairly static, which is partly due to an
increasing number of tenants deciding not to move
but to renew their tenancies. Overall 2011 saw rental
growth of around 5%.
City jobs are likely to remain flat during 2012 and it
seems that the general imbalance between supply and
demand will remain a key feature of the rental market.
It also seems likely that there will be positive rental
growth over the year possibly similar to the levels
experienced in 2011.
What Type of Property?
Looking at the market from an investors perspective, new
build has always been very popular from the point of view
Evelyn Gardens – South Kensington
Acquired £2,200,000
By Perry Bousfield, Director of Prime Portfolio
Prime London Residential Investment
P ro p e r t y
Britain in Hong Kong 1716
of overseas buyers, particularly those from South East Asia.
These buyers are attracted to new build fi rstly because they
are used to the modern residential property that dominates
the Hong Kong and Singapore markets, and secondly,
because new build seems safer from a value perspective –
believing in the old developers adage buy at today’s price
for tomorrow. However, in light of the pervading economic
climate in Europe and the possibility that the rental market
may be flat for some time buyers should be cautious.
Buying in large new developments, where there are a large
number of similar fl ats available may result in the investor
experiencing a downward rental spiral.
Investment in existing properties
is probably safer because they
are more established, and
there is unlikely to be the level
of people movement found in
brand new developments. There
are very few new developments
in the prime locations; these
locations are though where there
is the greatest growth in value.
Concerns of those unfamiliar with the market regarding
buying older property in the right locations can be mitigated
by retaining the services of an experienced buying agent
who should be able to lead the investor through the process
and ensure that the purchase is in a popular location and will
afford a good investment opportunity.
Where to invest?
Investors regularly ask, where is the best place to invest?
This is always a difficult question to answer, and is
driven by each individual’s criteria, how risk averse they
are, how long they intend to stay in the market, and of
course, how much money there is available.
The traditional locations of Chelsea, Kensington, South
Kensington, Knightsbridge and Belgravia, will always be
sought after by both investors, tenants and end users.
The shortage of supply has driven prices up rapidly,
and fi gures well in excess of £2,000 per square foot are
being achieved and approaching £3,000 in the very best
locations, meaning that a one bedroom flat can easily
cost £1,000,000 and a 2 bedroom flat of circa 750
square feet, in good condition £1,500,000.
However, there are several areas that look particularly
interesting at present, which could tempt the investor
who is prepared to look away from the traditional
locations, either because he feels that they are too
expensive or because he wants to broaden his portfolio.
Firstly, there are proposals to re-develop Earls Court
in the foreseeable future. This is to be one of the
largest development in London ever; present proposals
are that it will be a mixed use scheme with some
2,000,000 square fees of commercial space and 7,500
flats covering an area of between 50 and 70 acres.
It may be some years before the plans are approved
and building commences, but there is some good
residential property in the surrounding areas which will
undoubtedly see a significant upsurge in value, for an
investor planning to invest in the medium/long term,
the location must be worth considering to invest in for a
well balanced portfolio.
Having advised earlier to be wary of new developments,
long-term investors may wish to consider Kings
Cross, which is an area “about to happen”, where new
developments are leading the way. Previously quite
seedy from a residential perspective, there are now
two large schemes being constructed, which will be
ready for occupation in the coming months. Prices
being achieved are substantially less than in the prime
locations, some below £1,000 per square foot. There
are also a number very attractive Georgian terraces
where prices are rising, as owners capitalise on the
increasing interest in the area, so it will take time to fi nd
and buy an older property.
C i t y f r i n g e s p r o v i d e
some good investment
opportunities. For instance,
G r a y s I n n R o a d i s a n
interesting location where
prices are still low, making
g ross y ie lds look ve ry
attractive. Residential values
are rising in and around
Canary Wharf; immediately
south of the River to the
East of Waterloo is also worthy of thought, owners or
tenants can walk across the various bridges to work.
All the indications seem to be that the market will
continue to move forward in the coming months, that
prime London residential will remain a strong investment
and is likely to continue to outstrip other investment
classes.
At Prime Portfolio we offer a complete residential
investment advisory service for UK based and international
private clients and Family Offices. We have a full time
representative in Hong Kong, Nick Todhunter who has
regular support from London, and will be happy to talk to
anybody who would like to hear about the services that
we offer. UK - [email protected] Hong
Kong - [email protected]
C h e v a l i e r H o u s e – O p p o s i t e
Harrods, 3 flats acquired circa £4m,
let at £2500 per week each
Trinity Court – Grays Inn Road, Acquired and
renovated, total cost £350,000 rent £375 per week
A d ve r t o r i a l
An Ampleforth Education ProvidesProvides a Compassa Compass
Britain in Hong Kong 1918
Ampleforth College and its preparatory school, St Martin’s Ampleforth, are situated on opposite sides of a beautiful valley beneath the North Yorkshire moors. They are Benedictine schools under the guidance and care of the monks of Ampleforth Abbey.
Th e Rule of St Benedict, written in the Sixth Century, has provided a wise and enduring framework, both spiritual and practical, to guide religious communities. It gives us, in the 21st century, an excellent guide for running schools “in the Lord’s service.” St Benedict shows how, through prayer and work, the individual can grow closer to God through living in a community. Th is Benedictine tradition appeals not only to Catholics but also to other Christians who recognise the benefi ts of its balanced approach.
We are proud of our students’ successes. St Martin’s Ampleforth produces well rounded and talented children. Each year up to a dozen scholars will cross the valley to join Ampleforth College. Th rough the College, nine of our young men and women have been off ered Oxbridge places this year, three with choral scholarships. Th e average UCAS points gained by our students last year was the equivalent of A*AA. Our intake is academically mixed; we expect entrants to achieve 50% at Common Entrance, and we are consistently in the top 5% of the Value Added League tables. At St Martin’s Ampleforth and at the College, excellent teaching, encouragement and support combine to help our boys and girls perform much better than expected at every stage of their education. Nearly 25% of our students come from outside the UK and this includes a dozen from Hong Kong. Th is variety enhances the rich experience of all students.
Of course academic results are important but, as well as excellent results, our aim and determination is to prepare our children for their lives ahead. We want to help them develop the skills, values and virtues to enable them to live fulfi lled and useful lives. Th is will lead to happiness. Happiness therefore, is not a goal in itself but a product of a life well lived. We believe that St Th omas Aquinas’ understanding that we are perfected by the habit of virtue should guide us in our work.
The cultural life of the schools is rich and varied. We have a strong tradition of choral music; we sing the Messiah, the Faure Requiem and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater every year and will sing the Matthew Passion as well next year. Art and drama are traditional areas of strength and are fl ourishing. Th e valley is full of sportsmen and women who represent not only the schools but their counties and, in some cases, their countries.
We are always setting our boys and girls targets: they must strive to win sports fi xtures, win scholarships, sing like angels, excel in public exams, paint like Michelangelo and so on. All the time as a background to all these endeavours, the boys and girls can hear the ringing of the Abbey bells reminding them of lives lived diff erently and the perspective of eternity.
It is said that people who leave Ampleforth for the wider world take with them “a compass for life” – a personal direction-fi nder that will always allow them to hold on to their moral bearings to seek their own true north.
mpass for Lifefor Life
www.ampleforth.org.uk
Nearly a year since its implementation, we look again at Britain’s ground-breaking new Bribery Act.
The UK’s Bribery Act is nearing its fi rst anniversary. Passed
into law in 2010 with cross-party support, the anti-
corruption act was delayed in implementation until July
last year to allow for a period of refl ection and explanation
from the authorities. It has been hailed by some as ‘the
toughest anti-corruption legislation in the world’ and by
others as unnecessary or ‘not fit for purpose’. Others
still see its introduction as a tardy move to bring Britain’s
anti-corruption laws in line with those already in place in
America and the rest of Europe.
The act certainly comes at a prescient time. ‘Had it been
introduced ten years ago…’ is an increasingly common
refrain in light of instances ranging from the Al-Yamamah
arms deal to the recent phone-hacking scandal. In
What does the Bribery Act 2010 do?It defines bribery and sets out four mainoffences:• Bribing someone• Receiving a bribe• Bribery of Foreign Public Offi cials• For commercial institutions, failing to
prevent a bribe
Why 2011?The UK had recently ratified the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) ant i -corrupt ion convention and faced criticism from many quarters, particularly because British law was still partly based on the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act 1889 and had not been updated since 1916. The legislation had been under review since at least the 1970s.
Why the controversy?Several parts of the act seem to go further in its stringency than other jurisdictions, which could arguably put UK firms at a disadvantage when operating overseas or even discourage foreign companies from investing in the UK.
Section 7 is likely the most controversialpart of the act. British companies andindividuals can be guilty if someone
working for them, even an agency,commits bribery. This also applies tocompanies who are not UK-registered, butwho are based in the UK or who carry onpart of their business there.
In the general clauses, bribery is definedas covering payments not just to publicofficials, but also to anyone who couldbe swayed away from what they wouldreasonably be expected to do in whatever their capacity. This would cover, for example, bribing a professional reporter not to investigate or print a story.
What is the maximum penalty under theact?F o r c o m p a n i e s : u n l i m i t e d f i n e s(commensurate with potential gainsaccrued resulting from the bribe)For individuals: ten years in jail
How can companies avoid prosecution?• Pre-empt it by instituting a demonstrably
corruption-free corporate culture and a transparent code of conduct, both in-house and when dealing with partners and agencies.
• In cases where companies know or suspect that bribery has occurred, they should immediately report the incident to the Serious Fraud Offi ce.
What’s the overall message?Companies and indiv iduals shouldexercise due diligence, and demonstrate a culture of openness, honesty andintolerance for any kind of bribery. Theauthorities’ focus appears to be moreon companies who show general intentto commit corruption (or, lack of intentto prevent it), rather than wishing topenalise odd incidences of bribery. Howfar this will translate into prosecutionremains to be seen.
How can companies be sure about thedetail of the law?Before the act came into force, the Ministry of Justice released a detailed guidance on the ethos and detail of the new legislation. However, some legal experts have warned companies about complacency by reading too much into the guidance.
How many prosecutions under the new act have there been so far?One. A clerk working at RedbridgeMagistrates’ Court was convicted under the new act in November last year for taking bribes to erase motoring offencesfrom court records. Tabloid newspaper The Sun cover t l y f i lmed the manarranging a bribe. He was sentenced tosix years in jail.
By Sam Powney
countries across the world, a new determination to stem
corruption is becoming manifest. Just two months before
the UK bribery act came into effect, India’s anti-corruption
crusader Anna Hazare led a protest movement to New
Delhi culminating in a hunger-strike for tougher government
action to prevent and punish corruption. Some companies
felt trepidation about the stringency of the UK’s new act (it
goes beyond current US legislation by banning so-called
‘facilitation payments’ abroad), while others welcomed the
opportunity to spread good practice further afi eld.
However, despite all the interest and controversy surrounding
its introduction, thus far the formidable new act has yet to
really show its teeth. So far, there has only been one minor
prosecution under the new act for a crime which would
already have been illegal under the previous acts. Lawyers
wait with professional interest, for the detail of the new
legislation will only really become clear in the courts.
L aw
How long does a cheese take to mature? You may well
have had the opportunity to try some aged Parmesan
cheeses or maybe an “older” Cheddar, but what about a
cheese from 1997?
Most people are not aware that some of the top cheeses
can age for a very long time. The best example is the Italian
Bitto. Still made according to a centuries’ old process,
this unique cheese derives its name from an ancient Celtic
word meaning “perennial.” True to its name, the cheese can
mature for upwards of 10 years.
Bitto cheese is produced in Valtellina, in the province of
Sondrio, in the Italian region of Lombardia. According to
certain historians, livestock farming in the Alpine valleys
dates back to the early Celts. The Celts, who were experts
in using rennet even at that time, found it quite easy to
adapt their skills in order to produce hard cheeses. Tradition,
or rather the ancient production technique, is still used
today, handed down over the centuries from generation to
generation with great wisdom and foresight.
- and available in Asia only
This cheese can only be produced during the summer, in
Alpine pastures at high altitude, since its taste and smell
depends on the quality of the grass consumed by the cows
which varies from pasture to pasture. The cattle are fed
largely on wild plants and herbs, sometimes made into hay,
which come from the same area.
In this region of the Alps you can still sense the most
genuine, traditional aspects of the pastoral world, and
rediscover the rustic, humble atmosphere typical of life
in the mountains. And Bitto reflects it. Honest, genuine
cheese, produced in a completely natural way, it can last
longer than any other know cheese.
According to Paolo Ciapparelli, 60-year-old president of the
Association of Bitto Producers, some hypotheses credit the
cheese’s long life to early processing that begins about 30
minutes after milking, which halts bacterial formation.
The addition of 20 percent goats’ milk is said to improve
preservation. No scientifi c consensus has yet been found.
Today, Bitto up to 10 years old is normally sold at cheese
auctions around the world, but the 1997 lot is by far the
oldest on the market. And it is available in Hong Kong only.
We have made several vertical tastings of the cheese-
2007, 2001 and 1997 and it is really interesting to see how
the taste evolves. At the beginning of its ripening process
its taste is sweet and delicate. After the first few years it
develops a sharper and richer fl avour, its nobility increases,
fi nally becoming an excellent product that is found on the
most refined tables. We found the 1997 one matching
perfectly with the truffl e honey or a nice Italian ‘Mostarda di
frutta’, while the younger one can be enjoyed on its own.
Profood carries Bitto 1997, 2001 and 2007
Ivona Grgan, Profood Limited
Suite No. 1612B, 16/F., Exchange Tower,
33 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay,
Kowloon, Hong Kong,
Tel: (852) 2243 3397
Profood Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/
pages/Profood/294978540548644
Britain in Hong Kong 2120L i f e s t y l e
From Hong Kong you can fly to the second largest
archipelago in the world, with over 7000 tropical islands,
in only 2 hours. The Philippines can be divided into four
groups: Luzon, the largest and northernmost island, is
the site of the capital, Manila. At the other end of the
archipelago is the second largest island, Mindanao.
Then, there is the tightly packed island group known
as the Visayas, which fill the space between Luzon and
Mindanao. Finally, off to the west, lies the province of
Palawan. Having not visited the Philippines for many years,
a recent trip opened my eyes to the often overlooked
destination that offers some of nature’s best in terms of
coral, sea life and island getaways.
As eager as most people are to begin their holiday in
tropical paradise, I was interested in spending a day
exploring Manila. Green Hills, the number one shopping
mecca, is often the fi rst port of call. This is the place to go
where you can buy real pearls and fake designer bags, all
at an extraordinarily low price. It was easy enough to fi nd
and yet a struggle to come away empty handed! Although
the beaches were calling, I couldn’t leave without getting
a taste of the Philippines’ Spanish history. The Intramuros
area is where some of the Spanish churches and squares
are located and the best way to get around is to
take a walking tour through the cobbled
streets. The Philippines is the second
country where divorce is still illegal so
marriage is taken incredibly seriously and
celebrated in a suitable manner. Discover
the San Augustin Church, and you will fi nd
back-to-back weddings taking place. The
traditions of cheering while the bride and
groom have their fi rst kiss are great fun to witness and the
couples themselves don’t seem to mind the odd stranger
joining in the celebrations. In Manila stay at The Peninsula
or feel the true Philippino hospitality at The Shangri La.
After my day in Manila I fl ew directly to Busuanga Airport
on Coron Island where I embarked on a 4 hour boat ride
to the private island of Ariara, a fairly new property in the
Palawan islands that epitomises the idea of remote luxury.
Of course there are other more glamorous ways to reach
the island such as by helicopter or speed boat, but the
cruise on their 100ft trimaran was perfectly glamorous
enough for us. First thing on the agenda was to enjoy a
fresh mango smoothie whilst enjoying the stunning views
from the top deck. We were then introduced to one of the
many secluded limestone bays that surround Coron for a
refreshing swim before testing the infi nity pool as the sun
set whilst deciding what fresh seafood to have for dinner…
lobster was of course on the menu. Ariara felt like a home
away from home and is the perfect location for a family
with children or a group of friends. All water sports are
available, including wakeboarding behind an incredibly fast
by Tanya Roberts, Travel Consultant,
Lightfoot Travel (HK) Ltd.
L i f e s t y l e
Britain in Hong Kong 23
jetski, and wreck diving. Everything
is at your disposal.
We left Ariara with a heavy heart but luckily
our next stop was Amanpulo, Aman’s only
luxurious island retreat in the Philippines, also set
in the Palawan islands. We had to return to Manila to
transfer to Amanpulo’s private terminal but after only an
hour’s flight we were already there. There are no cars
on the island so you can take advantage of your own
private golf buggy or simply go by foot along the white
sand beach that allows you to do a complete circle of
the island in just an hour and a half. The highlight of
our trip was the first class service it so easily affords,
not to mention the giant turtles, which are definitely
worth searching for. Don’t worry, the boat boys make it
their mission to help you fi nd them and you will not be
disappointed!
Apart from the Palawan islands, there are more
commonly known destinations. From Manila, fl y to either
Caticlan or Kalibo where you can go by boat to one of
the most popular islands in the Philippines, Boracay.
The code on this island is strictly informal and there is an
undeniably easy atmosphere where the way of life is to
enjoy a massage during the day before getting involved
in the tropical party lifestyle in the evenings. It is here that
many divers and snorkelers come to enjoy some of the
world’s best underwater life. There are other adventures,
should diving not be your thing, such as boating,
kitesurfing or even trekking. For golfers, Fairways and
Bluewater Resort Golf and Countryclub has an 18-hole
championship course.
Cebu is another great location for families with a plethora
of resorts that are within close proximity to the airport.
From Cebu why not visit the nearby islands of Donsol,
where you can swim with whale sharks if you so choose,
or Bohol where you can see the Tarsier, one of the
smallest primates on earth, enjoy the Loboc River Cruise
and explore the infamous Chocolate Hills.
The Philippines is an excellent year round direct destination
from Hong Kong. The people are gregarious and good
hearted and the culture is rich in history, it is truly one of
the great destinations in Southeast Asia.
Other places to stay in the Philippines
CEBUShangri-La Mactan Island Resort One of the Philippines premier luxury resorts, it is great for
couples or families. It features kids play areas including the
‘Aquaplay area’ in the pool, a wide range of restaurants
and the Shangri-La’s signature CHI spa, one of the largest
and most luxurious in the region.
Crimson Resort With a traditional feel it is a resort with 290 rooms and
run and managed by Filippino companies. It is set in 6
hectares of sprawling grounds and has 4 different eating
spots. It is 15 minutes from Mactan Airport.
BOHOLAmoritaAmorita in Philippino means ‘beloved’ or ‘little love’. The
resort sits atop a seaside cliff at the north eastern end of
Alona beach on Panglao Island. With 180 degree views
of the Bohol Sea it is the ideal destination and perfect for
a romantic trip for two. Fly into Amorita airport from either
Manila or Cebu and then take a boat to the Panglao island
resort.
AnanyanaAnanyana is a resort that focuses on service and calm.
Great for a couple or family as there are so many activities.
Ride along the beach on horseback, drive around Bohol
on 2 or 4 wheels or perhaps you’d rather go on a romantic
sunset cruise. They have babysitting facilities so you can
have some time away from the young’uns. Accessible
from either Manila or Cebu.
The Bellevue ResortA new resort with 150 rooms that are thoughtfully
designed and laid out. It will be opening in the middle of
this new dragon year so please email Lightfoot Travel for
updates on the opening of this new resort.
El Nido Resorts; Miniloc Island, Lagen Island, Pangulasian Island
The El Nido resorts, Northern Palawan, are a 1.5 hour
flight from Manila to El Nido’s airport and each resort is
about a 45 minute boat ride from El Nido. They are also
accessible by a 2 hour land journey from TayTay, Palawan.
Each resort has a different feel to them but they are all the
perfect holiday destinations for those in search of a fun
and vibrant holiday. The resorts are tucked in a beautiful
cove with a backdrop of limestone cliffs, Miniloc is best for
couples, Lagen is best for diving and Pangulasian is best
for luxury.
MinilocReminiscent of a coastal village, Miniloc Island’s quaint
charm is enhanced by its crystal clear waters teeming
with vibrant marine life. At its very doorstep, the long
dock where guests are welcomed, guests can snorkel
alongside 1.5 metre jacks and hundreds of sergeant
majors, damsel fish, fusiliers, and other multi-colored
tropical fi sh. The 50 rooms are rustic and native in style.
Enjoy al fresco dining at the Clubhouse restaurant and
beach bar.
22
EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS ...YOUR STORY IS YET TO BE WRITTEN
Traversing the peninsula between two great Asian cities,
your luxurious train snakes through dense jungle, past
highland vistas and over emerald paddy fields.
Terms and Conditions: Prices are per person based on two sharing a Pullman Cabin with meals and sightseeing included. Valid for new bookings only. Offer and itinerary is subject to availability. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. The marks/logos of Orient-Express and Eastern & Oriental Express have been registered in various countries. “Orient-Express” is a trade mark of SNCF and is used under licence by Orient-Express Hotels Ltd and its subsidiaries. This advertisement does not constitute a brochure. All bookings are made subject to our terms and conditions which are available on request and can be viewed online at www.orient-express.com. Itineraries and fares are subject to availability and change without notice.
For a limited time we are offering British Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong members an exclusive offer when travelling on our breathtaking two or three night Classic Journeys – winding through the stunning scenery of South-East Asia, between elegant Singapore and vibrant Bangkok. Book before 30th April 2012 and receive: US$500 per cabin, a bottle of champagne on arrival
and US$100 credit to spend in the onboard boutique.
Create your own exotic story from US$2,440 per person.
CONTACT OUR LUXURY TRAVEL CONSULTANTS ON +65 6395 0678, OR EMAIL [email protected] QUOTING CODE ‘BHK’
ORIENT-EXPRESS.COM/E&O
Find us onFacebook
LagenPerfect for relaxation and diving, Lagen is an island nestled
between a lush four-hectare forest and a calm, shallow
lagoon. The resort offers a magnifi cent view of Bacuit Bay
and the El Nido sunset. The surrounding forest and the
breathtaking limestone cliffs are natural attractions that
also serve as a sanctuary for a diverse variety of birds and
mammals. Here, guests can observe and delight in wildlife
fl ourishing in their natural habitat. Guests often come here
for birdwatching and in particular diving with over 20 dive
sites nearby.
PangulasianThe resort is set fronting a pristine beach and against a
backdrop of tropical forest. Also known as the “Island of
the Sun”, Pangulasian has breathtaking views of both the
sunrise and sunset. 42 rooms built with contemporary
Filipino and cutting edge “green” design. El Nidos’ luxury
island hideaway.
BORACAY Asya Premier SuitesThe boutique option in Boracay with only 20 suites, all with
panoramic vistas of the sea. Only 20 minutes from Caticlan
Airport, it has everything you need to enjoy Boracay
including nanny and butler services, a beachside pool and
access to all the local diving spots. Take an afternoon off
and enjoy their Palay High Tea experience, a fusion of east
and west sweets and savouries.
Shangri LaSituated on a lush hillside within an eco-reserve, this resort
has sprawling grounds and 350 metres of secluded beach,
perfect for relaxing. It is great for families with its fun fi lled
Entertainment Centre and child friendly adventure zone,
whilst also being a great spot for couples who can enjoy the
Shangri-La signature CHI spa or its many restaurants. Fly to
Caticlan and then transfer by boat and land for 15 minutes.
Discovery ShoresThis is a great option for families looking for a “staycation”.
This resort has 1 and 2 bedroom suites that allow you
to relax, read and catch up on your stack of magazines,
take a dip in the pool and let the hours pass. There
are 5 different eating spots so you won’t get bored not
to mention the world famous diving locations and the
amazing seas for sailing, surfi ng or paddleboarding.
Bespoke travel company Lightfoot Travel (+852 2815
0068; HYPERLINK “http://www.lightfoottravel.com”www.
lightfoottravel.com) is an Asia-based bespoke tour
operator specialising in tailor-made holidays, honeymoons,
short breaks, boutique accommodation and private villas
in Asia, Australasia and Africa.
L i f e s t y l e
Britain in Hong Kong 25
Inspirational Women Series - How It Happened: The Career a Never Expected
Wed, 14/03/2012 - 12:30 - 14:00
Conference Room, 6/F, The British Consulate-General
Speaker: Jan De Silva, Dean, Ivey Asia
The Women in Business Committee is delighted to invite you to
the fi rst in its Inspirational Women Series sponsored by Barclays.
Join us for a luncheon discussion with Jan De Silva, Dean of Ivey
Asia, as she shares her experiences on becoming the fi rst woman
to lead a division at Sun Life China, the fi rst foreign women to lead
a joint venture insurance company in China and the balancing act
she faced along the way of juggling a career and a family.
Shaken Not Stirred Networking Drinks Kowloon
Thu, 15/03/2012 - 18:30 - 20:30
Chin Chin Bar, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong
Join us for a networking drinks event - Kowloon side! Specially for
all our members and guests based in Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon.
Come and enjoy an after-work drink at the popular Chin Chin Bar, a
cozy Chinese-style lounge at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong.
The Britcham & KPMG Rugby Dinner 2012
Thu, 22/03/2012 - 20:00 - 23:59
The Main Restaurant, Hong Kong Football Club
Warm up for a weekend of Sevens action at the Britcham and
KPMG Rugby Dinner! It promises to be a thrilling night of rugby
entertainment with special guest speakers, good curry and stand-
up comedy. Catch up with friends, colleagues and clients over a
few beers and the best curry buffet in town. Then sit back, relax
and enjoy a night of all things rugby related, including entertainment
from our very special guests and some stand-up comedy!
UK Budget 2012
Fri, 23/03/2012 - 08:00 - 09:15
Harcourt Suite, 1/F, The Hong Kong Club
Speaker: Deborah Annells, Managing Director, Azure Tax Ltd.
UK Chancellor George Osborne will give the UK Budget on the
21st March 2011. There are many rumours but it is unlikely the
50% top rate of income tax will be dropped yet, despite statistics
showing it has raised no additional revenue.
This breakfast briefing will cover the main UK Budget Tax news,
focusing on how it affects businesses and residents in Hong
Kong and the region. It will also include a post-budget analysis of
feedback from UK professional bodies and the media.
The Sustainable Enterprise - Why all businesses should actively be saving the planet
Tue, 27/03/2012 - 08:00 - 09:15
Harcourt Suite, 1/F, The Hong Kong Club
Speaker: Chris Riley, Managing Director, Sercura
The business case for sustainability is strong, with the potential
to reduce operational costs, win new customers and retain
existing contracts. Recent surveys have demonstrated a clear
willingness within the global business community to tackle
supply chain sustainability, an area that has received relatively
scant attention. However, translating this wil l ingness into
practical action and concrete results remains a considerable
challenge.
Chris Riley will discuss the various options open to companies
working in Hong Kong or in China in terms of real action related to
controlling the carbon footprint in their operations.
Upcoming Events
The British Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Barclays are the proud sponsors of the newly
founded Women in Business series ‘Inspirational Woman’.
The 'Inspirational Women' Series is a newly created series thought up by the British Chamber of Commerce's
Women in Business Committee. It will be a series of six seminars and will be co-ordinated by the Women in
Business Committee with the support of Barclays. The committee is very active and organises regular networking
events and seminars throughout the year primarily aimed at Women in Business in Hong Kong. The primary role of
this series is to create opportunities for corporate and individual members to engage with contemporary topics of
professional interest to business women.
Barclays and the British Chamber's Women in Business Committee are looking forward to hosting some excellent
speaker events so keep an eye on the Britcham calendar! Join us on Wednesday 14th March for the fi rst event in
the series, and listen to Jan de Silva, Dean of Ivey Asia, speak about her life and career experiences.
We look forward to welcoming you there. Please visit www.britcham.com for more information.
About Our Sponsors: BarclaysBarclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking and wealth
management with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. With over 300 years of history and expertise
in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs over 140,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for
customers and clients worldwide.
For further information about Barclays, please visit : www.barclays.com
Women in Business
Getting Inspired
24
Member DiscountsFood and Beverage and Accommodation
Accor | Members will receive 10% discount on top of the lowest rates that Accor’s Asian
hotels are offering on the day (5% off hotels outside Asia Pacifi c). This applies to over 1600
Sofi tel, Pullman, Novotel, Mercure & All Seasons hotels worldwide. For more information please contact Regina Yip on 2868 1171 or email [email protected]
Alfi e’s | Members of the British Chamber of Commerce can benefi t from a 10% discount at
this chic restaurant in Hong Kong.
Berry Bros. & Rudd | Members can benefi t from a 10% discount on all retail prices as well
as receiving invitations to free tastings and other wine events during promotional period.
Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong | Members will receive a 10% discount on food only in
MoMo Café. To make a reservation please call 3717 8888.
Dot Cod | All Members of the British Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong will receive
a 10% discount on the bill. For more information please call 2810 6988 or email [email protected]
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong | 15% discount on food and beverage at The Grill and 10%
discount on all a la carte treatments and spa merchandises at Plateau Spa. To make a reservation please contact the Grill on 2584 7722 or the Plateau Spa on 2584 7688
Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui | 10% discount at The Chinese Restaurant,
Hugo’s, Cafe and Chin Chin Bar (except during happy hour). To make a reservation please call 2311 1234
JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong | Members will receive a 10% discount on the total bill at
Man Ho Chinese Restaurant, JW’s California, Marriott Cafe, The Lounge, Riedel Room @
Q88, and the Fish Bar & Grill. To make a reservation please call 2810 8366.
Le Méridien Cyberport | Members can book a Smart Room at the special rate of
HKD1,600 including a daily eye-opening buffet breakfast (subject to availability). You will
also receive 20% discount at 5 of the hip restaurants and bars that the hotel has to offer.
Furthermore, when you book the 21-day long room package at HKD23,100 you will receive
a ‘Round Trip Limousine Service’. For more details please call 2980 7785.
Hong Kong Skycity Marriott Hotel | Members will receive a 10% discount on the total
bill at Man Ho Chinese Restaurant, SkyCity Bistro, Velocity Bar & Grill, and The Lounge
(Promotion does not apply to alcoholic beverages). To make a reservation please call 3969 1888.
Renaissance Harbour View Hotel | Members will receive a 10% discount on the total
bill at Michelin Star Dynasty Chinese Restaurant, all day dining at Cafe Renaissance, Scala
Italian Restaurant and the Lobby Lounge. To make a reservation please call 2802 8888.
The Mira Hong Kong | Members will be given special room rates, a complimentary
upgrade and fantastic discounted rates on the Spa suite package (subject to
availability). For more information please contact Connie Kwan on 2315 5666 or email [email protected]
Britain in Hong Kong 27
There are many great benefits of being a member of The British Chamber of Commerce. One of those is the Member Benefits program which is an exclusive package of discounts that range from discounted car rental, reduced hotel accommodation, airfares and even relocation costs.
Every six months we invite members to prepare a tailor made offer to all the members of the British Chamber. You can fi nd these benefi ts listed below and for more details please visit our website www.britcham.com
Home
Allied Pickfords Hong Kong | For any Home Search completed by SIRVA Relocation,
members will receive a FREE local move. Please call 2823 2077 or email [email protected]
Bowers & Wilkins | B & W are offering members a 10% discount on all listed price
items in the B&W Showrooms in Tsim Sha Tsui and Central. For more information please call 3472 9388 or 2869 9916
Colourliving | As a member of the British Chamber of Commerce, you can enjoy a 10%
discount on all normal price merchandise when shopping at colourliving in Wanchai.
Please call 2510 2666 or visit www.colourliving.com
Travel & others
Avis | Members can receive up to 20% discount off standard rates on car rental
bookings. To make a booking please call 28822927 or visit www.avis.com.hk
British Airways | As a member of the British Chamber of Commerce you can enjoy
an exclusive offer from British Airways. To make a booking please visit www.britcham.com/memberdiscount/british-airways
Carey | As the world’s fi nest chauffeured services company Carey are pleased to offer
Britcham members a 10% discount on the base rate of any service, anywhere in the
world. For more information please call the international reservations team on +800 0123 4578 or email [email protected]
Compass Offi ces | Compass Offi ces, a premium serviced offi ce provider, are offering
members a one month free Serviced Offi ce space or three months free with a Virtual
Office Package. For more information please call 3796 7188 or email hksales@compassoffi ces.com
Flight Centre | Members will receive HKD150 off the fi rst booking made as well as a
complimentary Airport Express ticket per booking. For all holiday and fl ight enquiries please call Paul Jeffels on 2830 2793 or email paul.jeffels@fl ightcentre.com.hk
Virgin Atlantic Airways | Special offers to London are available exclusively for
members of the British Chamber of Commerce. Please call 2532 6060 for more details or to make a reservation.
VisitBritain | British Chamber members can enjoy a 5% discount on all purchases from
the VisitBritain online shop. Please call 3515 7815 or visit www.visitbritaindirect.com for further information.
Terms and Conditions apply. All member discounts are subject to availability. If you are interested in providing a tailored
offer to our members or for more information please contact Emily Ferrary on 2824 1972 or email [email protected]
26
Attention MembersThe membership renewal period is upon us! The Chamber would like to thank you for your continued support during 2011 and hopes that you will renew your membership with us this year.
By now you should have received your membership renewal invoice in the post and by email.
The first 150 Corporate Members who settle their renewal invoice will receive a bottle of Berrys’ UKC Champagne, Grand Cru Société de Producteurs - Mailly
So don’t forget to get your payments in quickly!!
If you have any questions with regards to your membership, please contact Lucy Jenkins at [email protected]
Terms and Conditions apply.
TH E BRITI SH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND
ST ANDARD CHARTERED BANKANNUAL BALL 2012
Friday 8th June 2012Grand Ballroom, The Grand Hyatt
7:30pm - LateDress Code: Themed Fancy Dress – Camelot Chic
WWW.BRITCHAM.COM/SIR-DANCE-A-LOTFOR FURTH ER INFO PLEA SE CONTACT [email protected]
Britain in Hong Kong 29
Threat of recession contains risk of further bank failures There is a high risk of another recession and a renewed banking
crisis, according to the latest Centre for the Study of Financial
Innovation (CSFI)’s Banking Banana Skins survey, produced in
association with PwC.
The respondents to the survey put macro-economic risk at the top of
the list of 30 possible risks to banks. The poll is based on responses
from more than 700 bankers, banking regulators and observers of
the banking industry in 58 countries.
In China, survey participants list credit risk, macro-economic risk
and liquidity as the top three risks to the country’s banking industry.
Painting a very bleak overall picture of the global banking landscape,
the survey shows a fragile banking system beset by threats and
uncertainties. Unlike the rest of the world, respondents in China
are more concerned about the quality of risk management. There
are worries that existing risk management system and the level of
IT support might not be strong enough to address changes in the
external environment.
The poll shows anxiety about the outlook for banks at its highest level
since the survey started 13 years ago. The main cause of anxiety
is, not surprisingly, the crisis in the euro zone. The shock of a euro
collapse would hit banks not just in Europe but in all major regions
of the world. Many respondents are in fact expecting to see further
bank failures and nationalisations.
Finally, the overall banking industry sector is undergoing a
fundamental shift in profi t expectations. Higher capital requirements,
greater regulatory and compliance costs, curbs on banking activities,
higher “stable funding” costs, political pressure to hold down prices –
all of these are impacting bank profi ts, and are likely to be around for
a while.
Mercer strengthens M&A leadezrship in Greater ChinaMercer recently announced the appointment of Phil Shirley to the role of Greater China & Hong Kong M&A leader and Stan Feng to the role of Mercer
China M&A leader.
Phil Shirley, formerly Mercer Hong Kong M&A Leader will now oversee
Mercer’s M&A advisory business in Greater China, based in Hong Kong.
He has over 20 years of experience in employee benefits and M&A
consulting having started his career in the UK in 1990 and subsequently
moved to Asia in 1996. Mr Shirley has worked on numerous due diligence
and post-merger integration projects. He advises Mercer’s clients on
the design, funding, accounting and governance of their Asian HR and
employee benefi t programs and is a regular speaker on related topics. He
specializes in cross-border deals and has advised large Asian companies
on their acquisitions in Europe and North America. Mr Shirley is currently
leading Mercer's intellectual capital and business development efforts in
the area of Asian outbound M&A.
Prior to joining Mercer’s M&A team, Mr Shirley led Mercer's Asian Retirement
Risk & Finance business. A graduate of Salford University, United Kingdom,
he is also a member of the Institute of Actuaries.
Stan Feng, now leads Mercer China’s M&A advisory business working
closely with Phil Shirley. Building on his 15 years of experience with
Mercer both in the US and in China, Mr Feng has had significant
involvement in M&A work through the years, particularly in 2011 when
Mercer successfully sold several large scale, cross-border, multiple line-
of-business projects to strategic buyers located in China. Mr Feng was
based in Mercer’s Boston offi ce for 10 years before relocating to China
in 2004.
Prior to joining Mercer’s M&A business, Mr Feng led Mercer China’s
Retirement business. During his tenure with Mercer’s Retirement and
International consulting practice, he worked with Mercer colleagues
globally in assisting multinationals on a wide range of human resources
issues. Mr Feng has an MBA from Georgetown University and is an
Associate of the Society of Actuaries.
News
New Appointments
Bonus optimism fading awayAt the end of January, eFinancialCareers, a leading global career
site network for professionals working in the investment banking,
asset management and securities industries, announced the
results of its latest Bonus Expectations Survey in mainland
China and Hong Kong. Expectations are high: over half (53%) of
surveyed fi nance professionals expect their bonus in 2011 will be
higher or the same in comparison to the bonus they earned in
2010. Looking further ahead, however, confi dence seems to ebb:
over four in 10 (44%) respondents predict bonuses will decrease
over the next three years.
Over eight in ten (83%) fi nance professionals in the PRC mainland
and Hong Kong expect to receive a bonus this year. Nearly a third
(31%) anticipate an increase in comparison to the previous year.
A similar proportion (30%) believe their bonus will be less, while
just over two in 10 (22%) think it will be the same as last year. The
remaining 17% don’t expect to receive a bonus at all this year.
Mourant Ozannes moves into AsiaLeading offshore law fi rm, recently joined Chamber member, Mourant Ozannes, has opened an offi ce in Hong Kong to provide
clients and intermediaries with access to the fi rm’s offshore legal services in an Asian time zone.
The office opening has been timed to coincide with celebrations for Chinese New Year, giving Mourant Ozannes’ Asian office an
auspicious start date in 2012 – the Year of the Dragon.
The offi ce has opened with three partners and will focus initially on investment funds, corporate and fi nance work for which the fi rm has
an international reputation.
Bó Lè and Global Sage Form Asia’s First and Largest Global Search Firm Global Sage has announced an equity alliance with Bó Lè Associates,
to form the largest executive search fi rm in the Asia-Pacifi c region.
The alliance makes Global Sage and Bó Lè Associates the fi rst Asian-
based practice in the search industry to operate on a truly global
platform.
The strategic partnership creates an alliance with offices from
Johannesburg to London and New York and a presence in 24 cities
across the Asia-Pacifi c region with more than 550 people.
28
We Collect and deliver your carFREE OF CHARGE
(subject to distance)We provide good, quick repair service at
reasonable prices
ALL REPAIRS WITH THREE MONTHS GUARANTEE
Our Business Hours8am-6pm, Mon-Sat & Public Holiday
Our 24hrs. Emergency Towing Agent“Firstone Towing Services” 8203 3411
Please call us at 2565 6166 or Fax: 2856 1047E-mail Address: [email protected]
Our competitive Labour charges: From
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Air Condition Freon Recharge $ 400
Alternator Overhaul $ 400
Starter Motor Overhaul $ 400
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PRC/MACAU
PricewaterhouseCoopers
John Ryan
Partner - Assurance
Tel 2289 2688
22/F, Prince's Building, Chater Road, Central,
Hong Kong
Accounting
ADDITIONAL
YNETWORKJardine Matheson GroupAlissa DaviesJardines Executive TraineeTel 2790 [email protected] Floor, Jardine House, Central, Hong KongConglomerate / Holding Company The Hong Kong & Shanghai Hotels LtdClarissa AikenManagement TraineeTel 6541 [email protected]/F, St George's Building, 2 Ice House Street, Central, Hong KongProperty / Real Estate Services
INDIVIDUALIan McMahonTel 2504 [email protected]/O: HK Rugby Union, Room 2001, Olympic House, 1 Stadium Path, So Kon Po, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Lee Hoi-LemTel 9830 [email protected], Central Plaza, 18 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
OVERSEASThe Royal MintUeli Tschupp-LambertRegional Director of Sales - Asia Pacifi cTel 6711 [email protected], Pontyclun, CF72 8YT, United KingdomGovernment Owned Company
iExcelJeremy Artan de Saint MartinManaging DirectorTel 8121 [email protected], Kings Ville, Tower 2, Av, Olympica, Taipa, MacauBusiness Software Solutions
Project Retail ConsultancyJan BeardsConsultantTel 9327 [email protected], Tower One, One Central, MacauConsultancy Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai CentralSally-Ann KlapDirector of SalesTel 6311 [email protected] Da Baia De N., Senhora Da Esperanca, S/N, MacaoHospitality
STARTUPIris PublishingEmma Ellwood-RussellDirectorTel 9221 [email protected], Amtel Building, 148 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong KongPrinting / Publishing Profood LimitedIvona GrganGeneral ManagerTel 2243 [email protected] No. 1612B, 16/F, Exchange Tower, 33 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong KongFood & Beverage
BlackrockMark McCombeChairmanTel 3903 [email protected]/F, Cheung Kong Center, 2 Queen's Road Central, Hong KongAsset Management
China Telecom (Hong Kong) International Ltd.Tan XuVice Executive PresidentTel 2582 [email protected]/F, Dah Sing Financial Center, 108 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong KongTelecommunications Paradigm21Robert EdmonsonCEOTel 2892 [email protected], Wing On Central Building, 26 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong KongConsultancy
CORPORATE
New Members
Britain in Hong Kong 31
Nick Blank (blackpeak), Darren Maryon
(MIHK Design Consultancy)
Shaken Not Stirred
Feb 23 2012, asia medical specialists, Aon China Building, Queen’s Road Central
Andrea Demy (AGS Four Winds), Kitty
Parkes (Ketchum), Jane Morgan (Ketchum)
Karl Kershaw-Lee (Flight Centre),
Andrew Edwards (Dale Carnegie
Training)
Thomas Knights (Carrington Fox), Will Sweeney
(Concise Media), Susanna Robinson (Living PR)
Ann Moir, Maureen A. Mills (Executive Homes) Debbie Annells (Azure Tax), Aaron
Smith (Asia Medical Specialists)
Leigh Mackeurtan (Concise Media),
Kim Swan (Lloyd’s)
Will Wyld (Thames River Capital),
Lucy Jackson (Lightfoot Travel)
Derek Ip (Santa Fe), Maria Leung (Euler
Hermes), Frankey Kwok (Euler Hermes)
Linda Jackson (Accents Limited), Karen Tovell (TTP Consulting),
Varun Joshi, Abbi Tannis (TTP Consulting), Beck Federici
(Pentland Asia)
Lizzie Frazer (Adelaide Cellar Door),
Dr. Yumei Zhang (Louvre Group)
Sponsored By
30