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The Government announced today (March 5) that under the provisions of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 480), the Chief Executive has appointed Dr York Chow Yat-ngok as the new Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) for a term of three years commencing April 1, 2013.
An orthopaedic surgeon by profession, Dr Chow has also served as office bearer for a number of voluntary organisations promoting equal opportunities for the disabled, including President of Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, and Advisor of the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association. Dr Chow was appointed Hospital Chief Executive of Queen Mary Hospital in 2001 and as Cluster Chief Executive of the Hong Kong West Cluster in 2002. Furthermore, Dr Chow was Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food from 2004 to 2007, and Secretary for Food and Health from 2007 to 2012.
A Government spokesman said, "An open recruitment exercise was conducted by a human resources consultant to select the new EOC Chairperson. A Selection Board was set up to carefully consider each candidate and make recommendation to the Chief Executive.
"The selection criteria included knowledge, ideals and passion towards equal opportunities and anti-discrimination, extensive administrative experience and leadership as well as good communication skills and so forth.
"Dr Chow has spared no effort in working for persons with disabilities over the years, notably considerable practical work in the rehabilitation field and the promotion of the Paralympics. Dr Chow has extensive knowledge and clear vision in promoting equal opportunities and anti-discrimination.
"Dr Chow has extensive experience in public administration and possesses proven leadership, management and communication skills. We are confident that under his leadership, the EOC will continue to actively promote equal opportunities and eliminate discrimination in the community."
The spokesman also expressed gratitude to the contribution of Mr Lam Woon-kwong, the incumbent EOC Chairperson, over the years. "During the term of office of Mr Lam, the EOC made important achievements in many areas including implementing the four anti-discrimination ordinances as well as their respective Codes of Practice, enhancing the EOC's public image and corporate governance, and raising public awareness on equal opportunities in various areas through publicity and public education."
The Selection Board appointed to advise the Chief Executive on the recruitment was chaired by Dr Leong Che-hung and comprised Mrs Laura Cha, Mr Chow Chung-kong, Mr Tsang Kin-ping, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam. The Government spokesman was grateful for the completion of work by the Selection Board in a rigorous, fair and objective manner.
Ends/Tuesday, March 5, 2013
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