Sir David Akers-Jones, KBE CMG JP

Hon President

Since his arrival in Hong Kong in 1957, David Akers-Jones has had a long and influential career in the Hong Kong government, serving important posts such as Principal Assistant Colonial Secretary, Secretary for City and New Territories Administration, Chairman of the Hong Kong Housing Authority and Acting Governor of Hong Kong in 1986.  During the lead up to the handover, he was appointed an Advisor on Hong Kong Issues to the government of the People’s Republic of China.  In 2002 he was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in recognition for his lifelong contributions to Hong Kong’s well-being.  After retired, he was involved in a number of charitable and non-government organisations that included the Worldwide Fund for Nature, the Jackie Chan Charitable Organisation, Operation Smile (China) and Outward Bound Hong Kong.

Mr. John Strickland, GBS JP

President

Former Chairman of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd, John Strickland has honorary doctorates from City University and the Polytechnic University and honorary fellowships from the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Computer Society, the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers and the Hong Kong Management Association. He serves as Chairman of Octopus Holdings Ltd and The Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation and as a board member of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd, Esquel Holdings Inc, Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association, Hong Kong Adventure Corps and Asia Society Hong Kong Centre.

Mr. Helmuth Hennig

Executive Committee Chairman

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Helmuth completed his higher education in Denmark before joining the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd. After working with the company in Germany, Australia and New Zealand for several years, Helmuth returned to Hong Kong in 1983 and has worked for Jebsen & Co Ltd ever since.  He is currently the company’s Group Managing Director and is responsible for the Group’s overall business, operations, strategies and development.  In his free time, Helmuth is involved as a board/committee member for several Hong Kong organisations, including the Hong Kong Management Association, the Photographic Heritage Foundation, the Hong Kong Country Club and Outward Bound Hong Kong

Ms. Machiuanna Chu

Hon Legal Advisor

Machiuanna specialises in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital investments, and joint ventures.

Machiuanna counsels companies in a diverse spectrum of industries including energy and resources, asset management, property development, and product manufacturing and distribution. She also advises private equity and hedge funds on joint ventures and corporate restructuring. Machiuanna regularly advises clients on protection of shareholders’ interests, directors’ duties and structuring of multinational business operations.

Machiuanna also advises on foreign direct investment in the PRC including investment structures, establishment of foreign investment enterprises, labour issues, property issues, sino-foreign fund management joint ventures, corporate restructuring and investment exits in the PRC. She also counselled various property developers on acquisition of land use rights in the PRC, project development, and sale and purchase of property development projects in the PRC.

Machiuanna is the Chief Representative of Deacons’ Guangzhou Office.

Mr. Jonathon G Lee

Treasurer

Jonathon is HSBC’s Chief Accounting Officer for Asia-Pacific, having worked in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom in audit, advisory and consulting roles across the banking, insurance and asset management industries with KPMG.

Jonathon graduated from the University of Bath with a BSc.(Hons) Degree in Economics, and holds an Executive Masters in Business Administration jointly from the University of Edinburgh and École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, Paris.  He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Jonathon spends most of his free time with his young family, has a keen interest in sports (rugby, tennis, football), and has recently been working with The Pathways Foundation in Hong Kong which provides support to children with learning difficulties.

​Ms.Clara Chan

Ms. CHAN Yuen Shan, Clara is the Chief Executive Officer of Lee Kee Holdings Limited (stock code: 637).  She has over 20 years of experience in metals and commodities industries.  Ms. Chan is a member of the Listing Committee of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, a member of the Lead and Zinc Committee of the London Metals Exchange and a member of the Board Risk Committee of LME Clear Limited. She is also a member of Energy Advisory Committee of HKSAR, a member of Vetting Committee of the SME Development Fund and the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (Organisation Support Programme), a Senior Vice-Chairman of Hong Kong Foundry Association, an Executive Vice-President of Hong Kong Young Industrialist Council.  She holds a Master of Social Science Degree in Global Political Economy from The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Mr. Peter Clarke

A long-term Hong Kong resident, Peter Clarke worked as an investment banker for 30 years with Saloman Brothers and Merrill Lynch. He retired in 2000, where he then took on the role as a non-exec of various private companies. Peter has attended multiple Outward Bound courses over the years in the UK, Colorado and Nepal, enjoying these to such an extent that he is now a member of the OBHK board. He very much embraces the Outward Bound philosophy of adventures in the outdoors, enjoying travel, running, skiing and climbing, and takes part in various Adventure Races all over the world.

Ms.Teresa Ko

Teresa is China chairman of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and the founding partner of the firm’s renowned Asia equity capital markets practice. Teresa specialises in securities and M&A work in Hong Kong and Mainland China.  

Teresa has advised on many high profile and first of its kind M&A and IPO transactions involving Hong Kong listed companies, state-owned enterprises, privately-owned enterprises and multinational corporations.   

Over the years, she has often advised and spoke on corporate governance issues, crisis management, and regulatory risk and compliance issues.

Teresa is a Non-Executive Director of the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong and a deputy chairman of the Hong Kong  Merger and Takeovers Panel. She served on the Listing Committee of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange from 2006 to 2012, the first three years as a deputy chairman and the last three years as chairman. She also served as a member of the Hong Kong Exchange Fund Advisory Committee from 2010 to February 2016. Teresa is currently a member of the Expert Advisory Committee for M&A by the China  Securities Regulatory Commission.

Ms. Deirdre Lander

Deirdre has extensive Australian and Asian experience as a management consultant, corporate executive and academic helping organizations implement business strategy and improve performance through effective people management.  Her focus includes organizational change, governance, talent and reward strategies. She is actively involved through leadership, executive coaching and mentoring programs, as well as membership of corporate diversity and inclusion interest groups in Hong Kong.  Her career has spanned more than twenty five years in diverse industries such as banking and financial services, consumer products, hospitality, transportation and education. Relocating from Australia to Hong Kong in 2004, she has participated in the dynamic growth of Asian businesses in Hong Kong, China and most other countries across the region. Deirdre is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a registered psychologist and Member of the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management.

Mr. Edward Jr. Ma

Edward is the Secretary-General of the Yidan Prize Foundation, which aspires to create a better world through education by recognising outstanding works around the world in Education Research and Education Development.

Having personally benefited from learning through experience with Outward Bound and receiving the Gold Award of Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the U.K., he is a firm believer of the role of experiential education in both character building and teamwork.
He is a keen sportsman with interests including basketball, football, rugby, table tennis, golf, hiking and swimming.

Mr. Richard Winter

Richard Winter is Deputy Chairman of Quam Group. He has worked in the investment banking and corporate finance advisory field in Hong Kong since 1987. He serves on a number of committees and councils that include the Securities and Futures Commission’s Advisory Committee, and Takeovers and Mergers Panel and Takeovers Appeal Committee, and is also Chairman of British Chamber of Commerce Financial Markets Committee. Richard has been a member of the OBHK Exco Committee since 2000.

Ms. Jean Sung

Jean Sung is Head of The Philanthropy Centre, Asia for J.P. Morgan Private Bank.

Prior to joining The Philanthropy Centre, Jean was Head of Global Philanthropy for JPMorgan Chase in Asia Pacific (2006-2013), managing the firm’s corporate giving in 13 Asian countries. In this role, Jean developed programs and services designed to develop livelihood and workforce skills. She implemented these programs with non-profits and multi-lateral partners. She also developed and initiated country specific needs assessments. This included KPIs, budgets and timelines to respond to social needs with programs and services aligned with the company’s corporate giving strategy and focus in economic development, financial empowerment and workforce development.

As Head of The Philanthropy Centre, Asia for J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Jean works with clients and their families to enhance philanthropic impact nationally, regionally and globally by offering strategic and innovative advice, thought leadership and learning opportunities. The philanthropy advisory assists philanthropists across Asia to develop, articulate and strengthen their giving strategies as well as determine giving vehicles and structures that would be most effective and efficient.     

Jean is recognized for her ability to identify social gaps, customize collaborative alliances with multilaterals and cross-sector organizations, and connect like-minded peer groups. She serves as Board Governor of Bai Xian Asia Institute, Executive Committee Member of Outward Bound, and Executive Committee Member of Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children.

She is fluent in English, Mandarin, Shanghainese and Cantonese.

Mr. Stephen Taylor

Aged 59, Partner, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Mr Taylor is senior partner in national audit and assurance technical department of Deloitte China and head of the Deloitte Asia Pacific IFRS centre of excellence based in Hong Kong. Mr Taylor is currently the Chairman of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Listing Committee. He is a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, where he is also a member of the Professional Standards Monitoring Expert Panel and its Sustainability and Integrated Reporting Advisory Group. Mr Taylor is a member of IFRS Advisory Council the formal advisory body to the Trustees of the IFRS Foundation, an Honorary advisor to the Financial Reporting Council and a member of its Oversight and Operations Committee. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a fellow member of the Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants.  Mr Taylor graduated from Lancaster University with a degree in Accounting and Finance.

Mr. Christopher Pooley

Christopher Pooley served at sea in the British merchant Navy, where he obtained his Master Mariner’s Certificate, before moving to Hong Kong in 1971 and joining the Swire corporation. In 1985 he became a director of all shipping related business which led to overseas postings in New Zealand, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore. In 1989 he returned to Hong Kong, serving in various senior capacities until his retirement from the Group in August 2003. His final position was as CEO of the HUD Group [a joint venture with Hutchison]. An avid traveler, Christopher’s home remains in Hong Kong, where he is actively involved in charity work. Christopher sits on the Boards of the HK Sea School, Outward Bound and Adventure Ship.

Mr. Jeremy Young

Jeremy Young is a District Councillor of the Central and Western District. He is the Vice Chairperson of the Food,Environment, Hygiene & Works Committee and a Member of the Culture, Leisure & Social Affairs Committee under the Central and Western District Council, he is also a member of the Hong Kong Youth Development Council. 

Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Oxford and a Master of Science Degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science of the University of London.

Mr. Christopher Pooley

Chairman

Chris arrived to work in HK with the Swire Group in 1972 remaining with the Group until retirement in 2003. Since then he has continued to live in HK and is active in the community. He has served on the OBHK Executive Committee with various responsibilities since 1997.

Mr. Mike Armstrong

Mike is the Head of Operations of Outward Bound Hong Kong and he has 25 years of experience of working with Outward Bound in various senior positions, most recently as the Program and Safety Director for the North West Outward Bound School. Mike has also worked at OB Australia early in his career and has lead several programme and safety reviews for OBI and OBUSA.

Mr. Ruy Barretto S.C.

Ruy is a top HK barrister specializing in accident and medical litigation. Ruy is active with a number of non-profits focusing on education and the environment.  He serves on the safety committee in the legal profile.

Dr. Sarah Borwein

Sarah is a Canadian doctor who runs TravelSafe: a dedicated travel and tropical health clinic. She is also part owner of Central Health Medical Practice.  Sarah serves on the Executive Committee and on the Safety Committee her profile is that of Medical Doctor.

Mr. Nick Cotton

Nick was the vice-principal of United World College, Shatin, and previously established an outdoor program of UWC-SEA, which is now the largest school-based outdoor faculty in Asia.

Mr. Cameron Ferguson

Cameron has over 40 years of sailing experience with many yachting qualifications including RYA/MCA Ocean Yachtmaster and RYA Examiner/Instructor.  He is the  Chief Instructor at Hong Kong’s only RYA sailing school and he fills the safety committee profile of yacht specialist.

Mr. Patrick Lee

Patrick Lee is a Superintendent of Police who looks after leadership and management development of middle to senior management in the Force. He is an alumnus of Outward Bound Hong Kong and also an ex-venturer in Raleigh International Siberia expedition. He enjoys hiking and long distance running, and is keen to run around the world through different marathons.

Mr. Li Yun Tai

YT Li is the immediate former chairman of the Safety Committee.  He served as Executive Director of the railways and Mass Transit System of HK and serves the safety committee in the profile of Industrial Safety.  

Mr. John Shanahan

John is a licensed psychologist who specializes in children and adolescents. John has an interest in Wilderness Therapy and fills the role of Psychologist on the Safety Committee.