The Government announced today (December 10) that the Chief Executive has, on the recommendation of a selection panel chaired by the Financial Secretary, appointed Ms Iris Tam Siu-ying as Managing Director of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) for a term of three years starting from March 1, 2013.
Ms Tam joined the URA in September 2006 and is currently Executive Director (Planning and Project Control) of the URA. She is a registered professional planner and a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Planners.
"Ms Tam has nearly 30 years of professional experience in town planning and urban renewal working with the Government, in private practice and with the URA. During her tenure with the URA, she has made invaluable contribution to the formulation of the new Urban Renewal Strategy promulgated in 2011, and the design and implementation of various new initiatives under the Strategy. We look forward to working closely with her in her new capacity in taking forward the important task of urban renewal to build a quality living environment for the people of Hong Kong," a spokesman for the Development Bureau said.
Ms Tam was selected through an open recruitment exercise for the Managing Director post of the URA. A consultancy firm was appointed to conduct the exercise and the shortlisted candidates were considered by a selection panel chaired by the Financial Secretary. Panel members included the Chairman of the URA, Mr Barry Cheung Chun-yuen; non-official member of the Executive Council, Mr Chow Chung-kong; the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan; and member of the URA Board, Mr Walter Chan Kar-lok.
The Managing Director of the URA is the administrative head of the URA and Deputy Chairman of the Board of the URA. Ms Tam will succeed Mr Quinn Law who has served in his present position since February 2008.
A brief biography of Ms Tam is as follows:
Ms Iris Tam (aged 55) was appointed Executive Director (Planning and Project Control) of the URA in September 2006. Ms Tam is a registered professional planner and a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Planners. She has extensive experience in conducting planning studies for major developments in Hong Kong. Ms Tam is also active in public service. She has served as President of the Hong Kong Institute of Planners, Chairman of the Appeal Panel (Estate Agents Ordinance), and as a member of the Hong Kong Housing Authority. She is currently a member of the Council for Sustainable Development.
Ms Tam read a Bachelor of Social Science at the University of Hong Kong. She also holds a Master of Town and Country Planning from the University of Sydney. Prior to joining the URA as Executive Director (Planning and Project Control), Ms Tam was the Managing Director of a planning consultancy firm she set up.
Ends/Monday, December 10, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:01
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