Britain in Hong Kong November 2013

Page 1

Britain

IN HONG KONG November 2013

Vol 28

No 9

www.britcham.com

Building Upwards: Creating Gender Equality in Business

Not For Sale

10

Tour of Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal

18

Qianhai: The Answer to Hong Kong’s Space Challenge

22

An interview with Karina Stewart, Kamalaya Koh Samui



Britain in Hong Kong

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Contents Job Hopping: How Much is Too Much?

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6

Building Upwards: Gender Equality in Hong Kong

Lifestyle: An interview with Karina Stewart, Kamalaya Koh Samui

5 Chairman’s Message 6 Building Upwards: Gender Equality in Hong Kong 8 Selecting Your Logistics Provider 10 Tour of Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal 12 HK Employers to Step-up Talent Management Strategies as Retention Pressures Increase

22 Lifestyle: An interview with Karina Stewart, Kamalaya Koh Samui 24 Luncheon with Boris Johnson, Mayor of London 26 Recent Events 28 Member Discounts 30 Member Get Member 2013 32 Sterling Members

14 Job Hopping: How Much is Too Much?

33 News

18 Qianhai: The Answer to Hong Kong’s Space Challenge

35 Shaken Not Stirred

34 New Members

20 Head of the Table

Britain in Hong Kong Editor Sam Powney Design Winnie Li Lilian Yu Ken Ng Advertising Contact Charles Zimmerman Project Management Vincent Foe

Jointly Published by Speedflex Medianet Ltd and The British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong 1/F, Hua Qin International Building 340 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Tel: 2542 2780 Fax: 2542 3733 Email: info@speedflex.com.hk Editorial: sam.powney@speedflex.com.hk Advertising: charles@speedflex.com.hk

British Chamber of Commerce Secretariat Executive Director CJA Hammerbeck CB, CBE General Manager Jessie Yip Marketing and Communications Manager Emily Ferrary Events Manager Stephanie Rose Events Executive Mandy Cheng Business Development Manager Phillippa Cook

Membership Manager Lucy Jenkins Accountant Michelle Cheung Personal Assistant Dorathy Ko Secretary Yammie Yuen Office Assistant Sam Chan Events & Marketing Assistant Emily Chan

Room 1201, Emperor Group Centre, 288 Hennessy Road, Wanchai Tel: 2824 2211 Fax: 2824 1333 Website: www.britcham.com

© All published material is copyright protected. Permission in writing from the Publishers must be obtained for the reproduction of the contents, whole or in part. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the opinions of the Publishers. The Publishers assume no responsibility for investment or legal advice contained herein.



Britain in Hong Kong

Chairman’s

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Message In May 1980, the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone was created. Perhaps some of you remember the announcement. I would love to know (and I guess we can check the archives of the SCMP) whether the ranks of newspaper pundits fought to be the most cynical about its prospects. My guess would be that many would have cautioned not to expect too much. Too few details were clear. The Chinese government would take years before it would allow genuine reforms. Others might have acknowledged the possibility of significant change but would probably have wrung their hands about the risk of damage to Hong Kong’s economic supremacy.

My musings on this subject were, you probably will have guessed, prompted by the lather into which many commentators have got themselves over Shanghai’s free trade zone. Most have been scoffing at the chances of anything meaningful emerging (it’s all just a property play…). We have heard similar world-weary dismissal of the prospects for the Qian Hai zone adjacent to Shenzhen, and for Heng Qin, between Macau and Zhuhai. Of course free trade environments within a Communist system are full of barriers to market based enterprise. Yet I would guess the same was said of the Shenzhen SEZ 33 years ago. When Deng Xiaoping was asked what would happen to Hong Kong in 2047 he noted that by that time Hong Kong and the mainland would have converged. And this meant, he explained, not that Hong Kong would have become like China in 1997 but the other way around. It seems to me worth bearing in mind these sentiments. The cynical would regard them as party propaganda. But suppose they are genuine. Do not the steady building of domestic capital markets, the growing of the private sector and the reduction of size of the SOE sector (the opposite direction to many countries in Europe), now followed by the creation of more significant free trade areas on the mainland, fit exactly with this long term strategy? The outcome for the Shenzhen SEZ was neither a failure of the reforms nor damage to Hong Kong. On the contrary the world was amazed by what a communist regime could accomplish and at what speed. And Hong Kong was equally amazed by the scale of the opportunities created for its entrepreneurs. We are all witness to the massive error that those dismissing Shenzhen’s future would have made. It is at least possible that that surprise could be repeated. Perhaps a decade or so from now, this will be regarded as the moment when China finally grasped the free market nettle. And will it also be the one when Hong Kong’s entrepreneurs can do it again and grasp their opportunities? Or perhaps there are too few left to do the grasping.

Nick Sallnow-Smith

Chairs of Specialist Committees Business Angel Programme Neil Orvay Asia Spa & Wellness Limited

Environment Committee Anne Kerr Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited

Logistics Committee Mark Millar M Power Associates

Small & Medium Enterprises Committee Viktoria Kish International Study Programmes

Business Policy Unit Tim Peirson-Smith Executive Counsel

Financial Markets Committee Richard Winter Quam Limited

Marketing & Communications Committee Adam O’Conor Ogilvy & Mather Group

Strategic Supply Chain Forum Dominic Jephcott Vendigital Limited

China Committee Tim Summers

HR Advisory Group Brian Renwick Boyden Search Global Executive

Real Estate Committee Jeremy Sheldon Jones Lang LaSalle

Women in Business Committee Sheila Dickinson The Fry Group

ICT IT Committee Craig Armstrong Standard Chartered

Scottish Business Group John Bruce Hill & Associates

YNetwork Committee Rory Gammell Jones Lang LaSalle

Construction Industry Group Education Committee Stephen Eno Baker & McKenzie


C ove r S t o r y

Building Upwards:

Gender Equality in Hong Kong

Has the movement towards gender equality in the

local NPO Community Business and the UK’s Cranfield

workplace ground to a halt? That is the concern which

School of Management.

seemed to hang in the air in the British Chamber of Commerce’s recent Women in Business panel event.

It can seem that a balance of women in the boardroom

Despite there being more women than men in employment

is the last major goal of gender inequality. If so, it is proving

and despite ongoing progress towards equal pay, there

a hard one to reach. Despite international companies

is still a serious shortage of women at the highest levels

being keenly aware that diversity is essential for business,

of business and government. Women hold only 8.9 % of

progress is still difficult to achieve. Those firms which have

directorships in Hong Kong’s top companies. The

actively promoted their senior female staff to the executive

percentage is even lower, 7 %, when it comes to executive

level, have often inadvertently created a dearth of women

directorships, according to a study published in 2009 by

in the preceding ranks of administration. This has led naturally to the question: why does female representation thin out the higher one looks in corporate structures, and is it something that will improve as time goes on? At present, roughly speaking, Hong Kong’s young men and women are employed in equal numbers and earn the same pay for the work they do, but will this trend continue as the younger generation grows older? There is strong reason to think not. The latest statistics present a worrying picture of the overall situation for women in Hong Kong. Here is the broadest conclusion from Civic Exchange’s report on ‘The Changing Faces of Hong Kong: A Graphical Survey of Women’s Status, 1991 – 2011’ which was published in February this year:


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In general, women still have a long way to go to achieve equality in the work place, particularly in taking up leadership roles. Although the proportion of women in the labour force has steadily increased to almost half in 2011, there are noticeably few women in senior positions in the private, public and academic sectors. This is reflected in census data on earnings and occupation, as well as in several recent independent studies. Women still underperform relative to their male peers in all age groups from 30 years upwards, although the gap diminishes with decreasing age. More recently, the WEF’s 2013 Global Gender Gap index has been raising eyebrows, especially in the UK, which has consistently slipped down the World Economic Forum’s gender inequality index over the past six years (the proportion of British women in work has levelled off since 1991). But the debate has fallen rather flat here, because Hong Kong does not show up in the rankings. Unfortunately, when it comes to looking for international comparisons, Hong Kong often falls between two stools. Groups like Community Business and the Women’s Foundation have long warned that Hong Kong can find itself in a statistical vacuum, despite the relative ease of conducting surveys here. The World Economic Forum’s information gathering provides a prescient example. In 2011 the WEF’s Financial Development Index placed Hong Kong on top for the first time, edging the US and UK into second and third position respectively – a momentous recognition of the city’s outstanding financial prowess. When it comes to gender equality comparisons, Hong Kong finds itself adrift. However, it is possible to analyse the trends that prevail within Hong Kong itself. While the SAR now has more women in work than men, it also has a growing gender

imbalance curiously opposite to that of mainland China, with a current sex ratio of 876 men for every 1,000 women. This, taken together with pay inequality and the immeasurable impact of domestic helpers, makes Hong Kong’s employment ratio unconvincing as a marker of gender equality. It appears highly unlikely to translate into a greater increase in the number of women in high level positions of responsibility in the foreseeable future. But perhaps focusing on the relatively small number of women at the very top is part of the problem rather than the solution. A top-down view of that kind is only likely to tinker with the end result of a systematic problem. This issue was touched on by feminist journalist Susan Faludi in her critique of Sheryl Sandberg’s popular book Lean In. By encouraging women to take an individualistic view and simply adapt their behaviour to better suit the environment they are in, Sandberg may be undermining solidarity and obstructing broader approaches to gender issues. Furthermore, without mastering the basic facts, figures, history and concepts which underpin one’s own disadvantaged ‘group’ or ‘category’, it is much harder for anyone to succeed individually let alone collectively. In contrast, Civic Exchange’s report is ground-breaking precisely because it aims to assess women of all ages and in all kinds of employment. Moreover, it takes a view over 20 years rather than the short-term outlook of so much of the data we are used to seeing. Considering the wider picture of women in employment might well provide a better base from which to address the declining gender ratio within the pyramid of the typical corporate structure.

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Business

Selecting Your Logistics Provider Mark Millar, MBA, FCILT, FCIM, GAICD, Logistics Committee Chairman

Outsourcing More to Less Recent studies confirm that companies are now outsourcing more of their logistics activities – and they are outsourcing to a fewer number of third party logistics service providers (3PL). • The Third-Party Logistics Study found that 65% of shippers are increasing their use of 3PL services • The Logistics Outsourcing Strategy survey by Eye-forTransport reported that customers are consolidating their vendor base of logistics service providers – the proportion of customers using between one and three service providers has more than doubled year-on-year to 58%, whereas last year almost 60% of respondents were using four or more 3PL’s

Challenges in selecting a 3PL provider The selection process will typically take 3-4 months and involves considerable effort managing the Request For Quotation (RFQ) project. With the majority of 3PL service providers offering a comprehensive range of capabilities, it can be quite challenging to differentiate between them. The consequences of selecting an unsuitable 3PL provider are significant. The potential impact on your supply chain ecosystem could adversely impact customer service, profitability and stakeholder value. Engaging an external resource on a contract basis can benefit the process of evaluation and selection by combining project leadership – alleviating the burden on in-house resources from the additional workload – together with industry experience and expertise, to provide an independent and knowledgeable perspective to the project.

Therefore, the selection of your Third Party Logistics Provider (3PL) is becoming increasingly important to empower effective and efficient supply chain ecosystems that are essential for competitive advantage.

Process for selecting your 3PL provider

With increasing reliance on a fewer number of 3PL providers to execute even more of your supply chain, selecting the appropriate logistics partner is critical and requires both a diligent selection process and transparent evaluation criteria.

With increasing reliance on a fewer number of 3PL providers to execute even more of your supply chain, selecting the appropriate logistics partner is critical and requires both a diligent selection process and transparent evaluation criteria.


Britain in Hong Kong

My recommended 9-Step 3PL Selection Process is as follows: 1. Compile Customer Logistics Requirements into RFQ 2. Issue RFQ and NDA to invited 3PL Vendors 3. Receive and Review Proposals from 3PL Vendors 4. Presentations from 3PL Vendors of their Proposed Solutions

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When selecting a 3PL provider it is very tempting to focus on evaluating items 2, 3 and 4. These ‘hard’ dimensions are tangible and relatively straightforward to compare across multiple vendors. However, the ‘soft’ factors – the intangibles in items 5, 6 and 7 – are of equal – if not more – importance. These soft factors are what will determine the long term sustainability and success of your chosen service provider and their logistics solution.

5. Short List 3PL Vendors to preferred candidates 6. Conduct Site Visits to shortlisted Vendors 7. Take up References – call or meet with existing and former Clients 8. Conduct Executive Engagement Session with Vendor’s Senior Management 9. Finalise Evaluation & Selection via transparent multi-party Rating System

Evaluation Criteria for selecting your 3PL provider In compiling your evaluation criteria, include both quantitative and qualitative factors, together with consideration of future potential requirements. Consider the following seven main categories for your evaluation criteria to support your selection process. Seven Evaluation Criteria for Selecting your 3PL Provider 1. 3PL PROVIDER Hard

2. Logistics Solution

3. Economics & Financials

4. Technology & Integration

Soft

5. Future Proof

6. Value Add

7. Services Delivery

1. 3PL Provider – size and scale of their operations, people and finances, what is their standing in the industry? Are they a good organisational fit for your company? 2. Logistics Solution – do they have the operational capabilities? Does the proposed solution meet your business needs? Similar solutions for similar customers? 3. Economics – how do they rank from the financial perspective – are they competitive on price? 4. Technology – how robust are their information technology platform and systems, and their ability to integrate with your IT systems? 5. Future Proof – are they and their solution able to grow with you as your business grows? Is their solution scalable and flexible? 6. Value Add – do they have the experience, knowledge and expertise to help you improve your company’s logistics activities? 7. Services Delivery – your confidence levels in their ability to ‘deliver on the promise’. What are the experiences of other customers – through anecdotal evidence and client references?

Conclusion It is critical to adopt good process and proven evaluation criteria to choose your 3PL provider. The selection process is an intensive, time-consuming project that requires specific expertise and additional resources – over and above normal business activities – for the duration of the project. The consequences of making a mistake are significant. The anecdotal consensus at a recent logistics conference was that changing your 3PL provider will take 9 to 12 months and will cost between 15 to 25% of your annual logistics spend! In the context of delivering services, prior experience is a very powerful means to evaluate alternative providers – successful service delivery manifests itself through the three P’s of Services – the Physical results, the Processes and the People. In the context of references in service businesses, I like to use my litmus test of customer satisfaction, just two simple, closed questions: Would you buy again? and Would you recommend?

Mark Millar provides value for clients with independent and informed perspectives on their supply chain strategies in Asia. His series of ‘Asia Supply Chain Insights’ presentations, consultations, seminars and corporate briefings help companies to improve their understanding of the complex landscapes, make better informed business decisions and increase the efficiency of their global supply chain ecosystems. Acknowledged as an engaging and energetic presenter, clients have engaged Mark as Speaker, Moderator, MC or Conference Chairman at more than 300 events in 20 countries. He is a Visiting Lecturer at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and is recognised by the Global Institute of Logistics as “One of the most Progressive People in World Logistics”. London based business publisher Kogan Page have recently commissioned Mark to write the book entitled “Global Supply Chain Ecosystems”, due for publication in 2015. He serves as Chairman of the Logistics Committee at the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. mark@markmillar.com

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Business

Tour of Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal Lucy Jenkins, Membership Manager, The British Chamber of Commerce

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is the world’s largest cargo airport, handling four million tons of air freight per year – compared for example to London Heathrow, which handles 1.5 million tons. This year, the new Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal opened at HKIA, and on 17th September the Chamber’s Logistics Committee organised a site-visit for members and guests to tour these new state-of-the-art facilities, with Cathay Pacific’s Director of Cargo, Nick Rhodes hosting what proved to be an extremely enlightening visit. Cathay Pacific Services Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific Airways Limited. The Company was formed in January 2008 and was awarded a 20-year franchise by Airport Authority Hong Kong in

Mark Millar, Logistics Committee Chair and Nick Rhodes, Cathay Pacific

March 2008, to design, build and operate a new cargo terminal at the Hong Kong International Airport – the

They then went on to explain the highlighted features of

Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal – CPCT.

the terminal, where absolute attention is paid to 100% security protection, enhanced transhipment capability and

The visit started with Nick and his team giving us a review

‘just-in-time operations’.

of the construction and development of the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal. They discussed the key developments,

The terminal, it was explained, has had positive economic

and commencement of the terminal; the programme was

implications to Hong Kong; it has enhanced the

set up in May 2005, and stage one of full operation was

competitive edge of Hong Kong International Airport cargo

completed in February 2013.

handling capabilities, adding 50% of cargo handling


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capacity at HKIA to 7.4 million tonnes per year. It has also

system – with the outside temperature being 33 degrees

created 1,800 job opportunities, as well as strengthening

centigrade and the cold rooms being minus 18!

Hong Kong’s reputation as a hub for transhipment. Logistics Committee Chairman Mark Millar commented Next on view was an impressive and intricate model of

“Hong Kong Airport is recognised throughout the industry

the layout of the terminal. Nick explained the background

as the world’s leading and largest air cargo hub and the

of how the terminal was developed, as well as showing

new Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal reinforces our global

the complex structure of each floor of the terminal.

leadership in the global airfreight sector. The tour proved to be very popular, attracting guests from a range of

Nick also covered the environmental standards Cathay

industries. We are grateful to Nick and the Cathay teams

Pacific adhered to when developing the terminal. The

for hosting a very informative and enjoyable site visit.”

design of the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal incorporates many sustainable and environment-friendly features,

With future expansion plans, the Cathay Pacific Cargo

including energy-efficiency in the Materials Handling

Terminal will eventually be able to handle up to 4 million

System design. Optimal planning helps to maximise

tonnes per year, whilst total air cargo throughput at Hong

energy efficiency, with chilled-ceiling cooling in the

Kong airport as a whole is expected to reach a total of

terminal’s offices expected to cut power consumption by

8.9 million tonnes in 2030.

up to 30%, no air-conditioning units are used within the facility, and the use of natural daylight is maximised

In subsequent issues of Britain in Hong Kong, Logistics

throughout the building.

Committee Chairman Mark Millar will be exploring the Headwinds and Tailwinds that are impacting the Global

The next stop on the tour was a visit to the terminal itself where Nick described how the staff at CPCT managed the logistics of the stacking, moving and planning of airfreight. The terminal is capable of handling 2.6 million tonnes of cargo per year. There were hundreds of rows of containers stacked neatly waiting to be transported in every direction while CPCT staff worked around them. Watching the crane operators load and unload the container was very impressive. The tour ended with us being able to experience the extremely cold temperatures of the cold storage rooms, reserved for perishable goods, which was a shock to the

Air Freight Sector.

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Business

HK Employers to Step-up Talent Management Strategies as Retention Pressures Increase Andy Bentote, Senior Managing Director of PageGroup in Hong Kong and Southern China

The

war for talent in Hong Kong is becoming more important than ever, considering the growing number of companies establishing regional head offices in other locations such as mainland China or South East Asia. In addition, lifestyle factors in Hong Kong are drawing talent away from the country and employers will need to refocus their talent management strategy. According to more than 1,000 employees surveyed for the 2013/14 Michael Page Hong Kong Employee Intentions Report, 46% of respondents say they will consider looking for work overseas. Of these respondents, some 63% plan to seek a job in Asia, most likely as the larger mainland

Chinese cities and Singapore are an attractive hub for companies to establish their regional operations which provide the international exposure needed to advance their career. Large multinational companies expanding in Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines are also providing opportunities and influencing employees’ decisions to look for work in another country. However, Hong Kong is still a popular location for employment; over the remainder of 2013 and in the first half of 2014, some 37% of respondents are ‘very likely’ to look for another role in Hong Kong, followed by 27% who are ‘quite likely’ to seek a new position. A demand


Britain in Hong Kong

for talent has been created in line with consistent levels of business activity, sustained by steady economic conditions in Hong Kong and China, and the gradually improving banking sector. Also, companies are becoming more specific in their demands for new talent and this can contribute to a perceived shortage of quality skills on the market. Respondents are also optimistic about the future strength of the job market for the sector they work in, with 49% indicating it will remain the same and 37% anticipating an improvement on current employment activity. With a volume of professionals likely to look for a new role in Hong Kong over the rest of the year and in the first half of 2014 – and almost half of all respondents are open to working overseas – employers will need to offer appealing incentives to secure in-demand talent. The best talent management strategies will be a mix of financial and nonfinancial enticements that together aim to encourage professional development, recognition and reward and staff engagement. Financial incentive is the primary factor in choosing a new role or deciding to stay in a current position, according to surveyed employees. Some 34% will stay in their current role if offered financial reward based on performance, though 29% will accept a new role if offered a salary increase. Almost two thirds of all respondents will ask their current employer for a pay rise, a significant increase from 47% of professionals surveyed last year that can be attributed to companies looking to become more efficient and effective, which is placing pressure on

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current staff. An increase of 10-12% is the preferred salary rise whether looking for a new job or staying in the current role. In addition, 72% of staff would like to receive flexible working arrangements from their company to achieve better work-life balance. This is followed by extended leave (42%) and additional leave options (37%), which may include sabbaticals, volunteer leave or parental leave. In terms of attractive incentives in a new role, scope for career progression (17%), more seniority or a promotion (14%), a likeable company brand and reputation (13%) and opportunities for learning and development (13%) follow in importance after financial reward.

Overall, Hong Kong’s job market is in good shape, though not as strong as pre GFC conditions, but certainly strong enough for the best professionals to find excellent opportunities. To read the 2013/14 Hong Kong Employee Intentions report in full, visit the Michael Page Hong Kong News & Research Centre at www.michaelpage.com.hk

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Business

Job Hopping: How Much is Too Much? Gary Kwok, Managing Director of Bó Lè Associates Hong Kong

Historically, senior executives with a working history of less than 3 years with each company raise eyebrows, as it is believed that the short stint is insufficient to produce any meaningful contribution to the company and hence not enough to demonstrate much of a candidate’s values. In addition, job hopping is often perceived as a sign of bad decision making. However, according to the BBC, the nature of employment is changing and factors such as layoffs, salary freezes and the emergence of more flexible employment have pushed people from one job to another. Moreover, the stagnant global job market has greatly limited the opportunities for ambitious employees who are then prompted to seek new challenges at other companies. So how much is too much when it comes to job hopping for senior executives? According to Gary Kwok, Managing Director of Bó Lè Associates Hong Kong, most clients nowadays are satisfied with candidates who stay for at least 5 years at each company. Obviously, some career moves make more sense than others so candidates should carefully evaluate their options and understand how each will fit into their future projectile. In this global economy, it is increasingly important to gain and secure a valuable set of contacts and learning opportunities. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that 49% of CEOs at the largest firms in Europe and Asia had experience in more than 1 industry and 17% had experience in 3 or more industries. Hence, many people job hop with the belief that moving into different industries can broaden and deepen their expertise. If done wisely, moving from one company to another might prove beneficial in the long run, especially if it is justified by the prospect of a promotion in the near future. However, the same study found that 40% of job changes are lateral moves while 20% are actually demotions. Therefore, senior executives must keep their ultimate goal in mind and carefully plan out their career moves; they should not be easily distracted by a bigger paycheck or a bigger pool of direct reports. It is crucial to determine whether each and every move will help you reach your ultimate goal or hinder your ability to do so. As for people who evaluate resumes, it is important to note whether the hops are merely fast upward leaps that don’t often secure long-term success or a slower ascent that includes a mixture of both lateral and upward movement that will eventually pay off. A study published in the February 2013 issue of the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly reveals findings in organisational


Britain in Hong Kong

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an outsider because you have established your reputation and ability as a trustworthy and accomplished leader. Yet when you change companies, you can still gain the trust and respect of your new colleagues and be able to adapt to the new company culture.

Bó Lè Associates is the largest executive search firm in Asia with a well-developed network of 25 wholly owned local offices worldwide (Hong Kong, Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Shanghai, Suzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, psychology based on the analysis of the career paths of C-level hospitality executives. It was found that job-hopping may be an early and positive sign of entrepreneurial drive. Essentially, “researchers found that the timing or rhythm of job-hopping was literally ‘musical’ in nature, with a more steady rhythm for traditional ‘organisation men’ and a more erratic rhythm for opportunistic and entrepreneurial

Chengdu, Chongqing, Taipei, Singapore, Jakarta, Surabaya, Manila, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, and New York), and 550+ staff including 500+ experienced consultants and researchers, and 50+ support staff including Finance and Accounting, IT, inhouse Recruitment and Training, and Marketing and Communications specialists. We have been ranked No. 1 in China and Indonesia and also in the top three in

‘trailblazers’.” While this study only focuses on hospitality

Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Bó Lè Associates

executives and cannot be generalised to other subject

is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RGF, the world’s fifth

pools, we can say that nowadays, companies are more

largest and Japan’s largest HR service provider.

interested in the patterns and reasons behind a candidate’s moves.

Our top 10 clients are all Fortune 100 companies. Bó Lè Associates has been recognized as a leader and top

Fundamentally, a résumé that can demonstrate a balance

provider of quality services. We are the first international

between external and internal moves is most desirable.

search firm to be granted by the government with

Resume reviewers are especially interested in the patterns

multiple licenses to operate in China. We have won

of your work history – evidence that you are able to handle

numerous prestigious awards, including two “China

both internal and external changes are crucial. It is

Recruitment Firm of the Year: awards from a Euromoney

important to showcase that your company has decided to

publication. For more information, please visit our

promote you from within the organisation as opposed to

website at www.bo-le.com

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Impressive triple-height office lobby

Exclusive drop-off area

Leasing Enquiry: Tel: +852 2830 5790 Email: office@hysan.com.hk Website: offices.leegardens.com.hk The Lee Gardens, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay


Business

Lee Gardens Offices Fostering Business Success

Stunning harbour view

Hysan Place awarded LEED & BEAM Spacious triple-height lobby at Plus platinum green building certifications The Lee Gardens

Most businesses today are seeking office spaces that help them stay competitive in a rapidly changing market. With its prominent location and exceptional reputation as a business hub of choice, Lee Gardens Offices offers you idea spaces for top-tier business facilities and amenities. Premier Office Space in the Heart of the City Lee Gardens Offices at Causeway Bay is a mere stone’s throw from the Central Business District. It puts you right within one of Hong Kong’s most dynamic urban areas, replete with an excellent transportation network. Comprising four recognisable Grade A towers: The Lee Gardens, Hysan Place, Caroline Centre and 18 Hysan Avenue, as well as other quality office spaces, Lee Gardens Offices offers high efficiency floor plates, stunning harbour views, spacious triple-height office lobbies and exclusive drop-off areas, ensuring the comfort of occupants and visitors. All office spaces are first-rate, reflecting top value for the pricepaid. Prestigious companies, from commercial banks, wealth management companies and management consultants, to professional service providers and top retail brands have taken the step to move into Lee Gardens Offices.

Unrivalled diversity of amenities right at your footstep

Hysan Place’s office environment is very pleasant. Its high ceilings, large windows and attractive views of the harbour [and even around Leighton Hill] all add up to create a bright, spacious and pleasant environment to work in. It is the first building awarded LEED green building certification at Platinum level in Hong Kong- My staff especially like the idea of urban farming and enjoy the farming once a week on the rooftop. Access to the building from the MTR station is great for staff commuting on MTR lines. Last but not least, its location offers a lot of exciting dining options both within the building and in the neighbourhood - something which our staff really enjoy. Alice Wong

Head of Hong Kong Operations and Business Management Asia National Australia Bank

Portfolio Map of Lee Gardens Offices

The Business of Life Amenities that improve your staff’s work-life balance also improve their productivity and sense of belonging, ultimately enhancing your company’s competitive edge. Located in vibrant Causeway Bay, Lee Gardens Offices is perfect from 9-to-5 and even better after 5. You’ll find a plethora of shopping, dining and entertainment options which add extra delight after a busy day for everyone, from staff and clients to friends and family. By moving to Lee Gardens Offices, you demonstrate measurable value and achieve support, higher productivity, as well as a true sense of belonging from your contented staff. Find out more about Lee Gardens Offices:

Tel: +852 2830 5790 Email: office@hysan.com.hk Website: offices.leegardens.com.hk


Business

Qianhai:

The Answer to Hong Kong’s Space Challenge

Craig Shute, Senior Managing Director, CBRE Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan

Hong Kong needs space to allow its economy to

the restraints that occupiers face in Hong Kong, new

grow. Some of Hong Kong’s key decision makers believe

developments such as Qianhai are now attracting attention.

the solution to the space challenge may not lie exclusively within Hong Kong’s physical boundaries. Lack of available

So which business sectors are most likely to produce

office space in Hong Kong is a major concern for occupiers

candidates to occupy space there?

and if this is not addressed then over time we could see some occupiers reassess their commitments here.

The finance sector would be keen to explore two main options – front office trading (subject to regulatory approvals

Vacancy in Hong Kong is currently close to a historic low

with HKSE) and potential back office functions that would

despite the less than robust economic environment, yet

support the Pearl River Delta area.

pipeline supply forecasts suggest a shortfall in new completions going forward. Moreover, a lot of space

The ability to secure large floor plate buildings, purpose

scheduled for completion through to the end of the decade

built for the requirements of the finance sector, including

will be unsuitable for major occupiers, either because the

dual cores, space for generators, power and cooling, could

building floor plate is too small or the anticipated fragmented

be a key driver to relocating this business from elsewhere

ownership is less than ideal. The lack of options for

in the PRD. The labour force is available to support both

occupiers contributes not only to high occupancy costs

of these functions drawing from the numerous universities

but also market volatility, which combine to hinder long

and higher education facilities in the area.

term planning for corporates in Hong Kong. Despite being built on reclaimed land, the IT sector could Less than one hour away from Central, across the border

also seize the opportunity to construct purpose built data

in Qianhai, development land has been sold, or is soon to

centres to support both Qianhai and the wider PRD. In

be tendered, which will allow for the completion of

addition, the establishment of R&D facilities within the

approximately 14 million sq ft of office space by 2018. Given

Qianhai area is expected, drawing on the immediate talent


Britain in Hong Kong

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pool and favourable tax incentives that are anticipated to be offered by the joint governing body. A key driver for this sector is flexibility – the ability to flex their workforce (and therefore real estate) up and down to reflect local, regional and global market trends. There is also significant opportunity for the logistics sector given the large amount of land available in the area. This would allow service providers to build or secure modern warehouses and logistic facilities which interface with the latest electronic goods handling technology. The excellent transport access – Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong airports are all within easy reach as well as the ports of the PRD – make this an interesting opportunity. The Qianhai authority aims to attract professional services, and accountancy, audit, law and other functions that support the finance and IT sector will follow in-time. If the regulator permits trading functions for the HKSE and SSE then we could see this early on. If there is a delay in front line trading operations establishing in Qianhai then audit and back office functions could locate first, utilising the talent pool to support regional and global functions.

Qianhai could also offer very attractive packages to MNC’s, including tax and other financial incentives. With numerous universities in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, the quality of the workforce is expected to be high and therefore of significant interest to all of the aforementioned sectors. In addition, the language skills of this domestic non-migrant workforce (Cantonese, Mandarin, English) facilitate local, regional and global business. Transport infrastructure is also a positive factor as macro-connections in this part of the PRD are excellent, with 3 major international airports within 30 minutes of each other. All of this is not necessarily bad news for Hong Kong as Qianhai may in fact prove complementary, rather than compete with the existing stock here. In fact, given the proposed Free Trade Area in Shanghai one could argue that Hong Kong needs to greatly augment its offer if it is going to remain competitive. All of this must be viewed in the context of major developments in the wider Pearl River Delta, such as in Hengqin Island and the Nansha new Development Zone. The Pearl River Delta is a hive of activity with major transport infrastructure such as the Hong Kong – Macau – Zhuhai bridge, and the high speed and other inter-modal links that connect 100 million people within a one hour living sphere. The rationale behind the drive to integrate the PRD is becoming clear, and various high profile projects are starting to make sense. Qianhai could potentially act to release some of the pressure in Hong Kong and make it more attractive for occupiers by facilitating higher vacancy rates and lower rental levels.

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Business

Head of the Table

Hosted by David Roberts, former CEO of Aedas Global Rory Gamell, Manager, Jones Lang LaSalle

In early October, the YNetwork were hosted by Veteran Architect David Roberts for a delicious dinner at the Hong Kong Club. The latest iteration of our Head of the Table series was unanimously appreciated as one of the best yet. Dave is a man who needs no introduction, but a quick bio for those who don’t know – originally from North Wales, he spent 10 years in Australia before arriving in Hong Kong in 1988, where he joined a small architecture firm with a workforce of 28 people. Driven by a passion for great design, over the following three decades under his reign, the firm, which became known as Aedas, evolved into one of the world’s largest and most

respected architectural practices. Globally, Aedas now employ more than 2,000 staff across 26 offices. Most of their projects are on a colossal scale, including the Express Rail Link West Kowloon Terminus being built in Hong Kong, pictured, apparently one of the more exciting schemes he has had a hand in. Visiting 20 countries a year to cover all 31 offices was part of the CEO’s job description – a fairly demanding lifestyle choice that few could keep up with. Months ago, Dave left Aedas, effectively retiring just before hitting 50 to concentrate on family, drive his lovely cars, hit around his golf course and tinker with some of his own smaller business ventures.


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Dave has certainly set the benchmark for us young

Dave’s passion for design extends to all kinds of things

whippersnappers. How on earth did he manage to do all

– from the bespoke worktop on his boat (later rolled out

this? Well, this is what Head of The Table is all about – a

by a major boat manufacturer) to building a house or a

chance for the young to catch a few wise snippets from

skyscraper. To make one of his own developments stand

those who have excelled beyond the Joe Bloggses of

out, he picked up a pile of teak from the bonfire site of

this world and really made something of themselves.

an army base in Burma. Unusually, he likes to make a point of not maximising the plot ratios of his developments

Dave, calm and welcoming, is a relatively unassuming

in favour of creating properties that stand out as different

man. Only his occasionally flamboyant shirts give away

and appealing.

the artistic roots beneath... Perhaps appropriately, he hosted us in the most arty of all the Hong Kong Club

Interestingly, Dave cited the place with the best appetite

rooms, the Hong Kong Room – home to an extensive

for exciting architecture as the Middle East, yet sadly they

collection of fine paintings. The evening began

seem to be less good at making projects financially viable

interactively, asking us a little about ourselves before

there, with egos often tending to prevail over business

telling us a bit about himself. Rather than a monologue,

acumen. By contrast, he mentioned that Hong Kong’s

it was very much a discussion, with everyone around the

architecture is largely dictated by the very high land

table actively involved throughout. We touched on many

prices, meaning that for developments to stack up

subjects, from the difficulties with the British planning

financially, plot ratios invariably must be maximised,

system (and why Asia’s cities have grown so much faster)

limiting scope for creativity and often leaving little choice

to evolving workplaces becoming key to staff retention,

but to build another glass box.

to an anecdote about a heated clash between an architect and an engineer in Dubai involving the wrong

One reassuring point he made is that Hong Kong is a

shaped piece of steel.

great place to start a business as there are lower costs of starting up than many other parts of the world and less

Some of the key points he made were to do with loving

red tape. So there is hope for us all.

what you do. Despite evidently being a very talented businessman, it became clear that his motivation and

It was incredibly generous of Dave to offer to host us, and

focus (perhaps slightly a-la-Steve Jobs) has always been

with a fantastic combination of enthusiasm and humility

on great design before making money. The message was

despite all his achievements. On behalf of the YNetwork,

that if you’re passionate enough about what you do and

I want to thank Dave very much for sharing such an

you devote enough energy to it, the money should

enlightening evening with the young’uns. People like Dave

eventually follow: ‘if you wake up at night thinking about

don’t tend to really retire, so I think we are all very intrigued

a project, that’s a good thing – challenging yourself is

to see what trick he has up his sleeve next...whatever it

key’.

is, you can bet it will probably look pretty cool.

21


Lifestyle

Kamalaya

An interview with detox expert Karina Stewart

Nikki Pang, Regional Marketing Manager, Lightfoot Travel

Karina Stewart is the Founder of Kamalaya, an amazing wellness sanctuary and holistic retreat in Koh Samui, Thailand. We asked Karina to impart a few words of wisdom to Lightfoot Travel that we could share with our clients.  Below she discusses her thoughts on superfoods, advice on what you can do to detox at home, and whether you really have to cut out alcohol and caffeine in order to be healthy. What’s the biggest misconception people have about wellness retreats? (That they starve you?) That they are going to be punishing, restrictive and that you have to suffer with food deprivation, punishing exercise regime, and lack of sleep and that the whole experience is going to be unpleasant. On the contrary Kamalaya provides a seamless and nurturing experience for guests with no boundaries. At Kamalaya we have a flexible and humanistic approach aimed at accommodating each guest’s personal goals, whether that is to simply find a tranquil healing hideaway or participate in an empowering, inspiring and guided wellness program.

What are your top five tips for someone who wants to do a detox at home? a) Start the day with a mug of warm water and the juice of 1/2 a lemon or lime. This stimulates the liver and kidneys, providing a gentle flush from your nights’ rest. It also works to alkalise your system. b) Fuel your body – try a green smoothie for a healthy breakfast option. Place a handful of organic dark, leafy greens (kale, spinach, rocket) into your blender with cucumber, celery, ½ a green apple, ginger, fresh herbs, flaxseeds and water. Blitz until a smooth consistency has been reached. Add a scoop of pea protein powder for an alkaline, easy to digest energy boost. c) Hydrate your cells. Start your water intake early and continue to sip around 1 ½ - 2 litres of clean filtered water throughout the day. This will help to flush water soluble toxins via your kidneys and you can supplement your drinks with antioxidant high green tea which is high in free radical fighting compounds and also helps to boost metabolism. Aim for 3-4 cups during the day. Another healthy alternative is mulberry leaf tea, which is caffeine-free and very high in anti-oxidants. d) Fitness: Light cardio daily for 30 minutes – not strenuous. e) It is important to eat an early light dinner (before 7pm is ideal). In so doing you can digest your food and relax before getting an early night, as 8 – 9 hours’ sleep per night is essential for allowing the body to heal and rejuvenate, especially when detoxifying, an extra hour can give extra support to the organs of your body. Important detox processes happen while we sleep so turn off all stimulating distractions such as the television, your mobile phone and computer and prepare yourself for sleep.

Do you believe in superfoods and if so what is yours?  Yes absolutely, and Kamalaya’s cuisine incorporates many so-called superfoods such as goji berries which you will find in a selection of our salads and sauces.  If I had to single out my favourite I would say the Green Smoothie I make and drink daily which is blend of various green superfoods; spirulina, chlorella and barley green among others. I will make this Green Power Smoothie once or twice a day depending on my energy requirements.


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Coffee and alcohol – cut out completely or in moderation?  While research supports the notion there are some health benefits associated with drinking coffee, there are also health risks and so moderation is key.  For some people with specific constitutions and certain health conditions, coffee should be completely taken off the menu. During stressful times, coffee is often the first thing people reach for.  Its stimulating affect keeps the eyes open and pace up, but it can also exasperate adrenal fatigue and make for sleepless nights. So, instead of reaching for a cup of coffee try oolong or green tea with light caffeine or caffeine-free mulberry or rooibos. Add ginger or peppermint to those for a slight stimulating effect. When we are stressed or tired we can turn to alcohol as a relaxant and usually the immediate effects can have a relaxing effect on our mood and temporarily make us feel better. However, in the long term alcohol can damage our health in many ways including depleting our energy and vitality by disturbing our sleep patterns. If you are going to have one or two drinks then have a glass of water in between. Both coffee and alcohol reduce the effectiveness of the adrenal glands, reduce absorption of nutrients, make you dehydrated and can lead to digestive complaints so it is important to keep your intake of both in check, and reserve these for occasional use rather than daily use.

Does yoga make a person happy?  Absolutely, it is a tonic for the nervous system and the endocrine system (strengthening and building the hormones) and affects us on a physiological and psychological level. It is a good foundation for happiness and this is why we offer many different types of yoga at Kamalaya.  Guests can choose to do the Personal Yoga Synergy wellness programme, which includes Ayurvedic treatments, or opt for one of the complimentary yoga classes offered as part of the daily holistic activities available each day.

You travel a considerable amount, any tips for jetlag recovery? When I land at my destination I love to have either a therapeutic foot massage (it is my absolute favourite as it i s s o re l a x i n g a n d healing) or a full body massage if possible or at least a neck, shoulder and head massage. I try to get in daily exercise as soon as I arrive – preferably outdoors as this will help with jetlag (sunshine, particularly on the backs of the knees for 10 minutes over the next 3-4 days will help jetlag recovery amazingly well).

Bespoke travel company Lightfoot Travel (www.lightfoottravel.com) is an Asia-based tour operator specialising in tailor-made holidays, honeymoons, short breaks, boutique accommodation and private villas in Asia and beyond. For more information please call +852 2815 0068 or email info@lightfoottravel.com


Events

On the 18th of October we were thrilled to host a major luncheon with Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London. The luncheon sold out in just over 6 hours to almost 550 guests making it one of our most popular events ever. Boris inspired guests with comparisons of London and Hong Kong and a reflection on the synergy that makes them two of the top world cities to live in. He spoke with enthusiasm about the UK’s plans to enhance business connections with China and Hong Kong and held an engaging Q&A session that saw questions returned to the crowd as he sought out Chamber member’s opinions on the current relationship between the two regions. The Mayor was accompanied by a large local and international press contingent who interviewed him on the Star Ferry and rode with him on the new Routemaster Double Decker bus that was shipped over to Hong Kong for the Mayor’s trip. The Chamber event was featured frequently in the press and footage from the day can be viewed on Britcham’s YouTube channel. We would like to take this opportunity to extend a big thank you to Swire for their support as Title Sponsors of the event and also to everyone who attended the lunch. As a special offer we would like to extend a one-off membership offer to non-members who attended the event and are interested in joining the Chamber! To find out more please contact lucy@britcham.com


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Recent Events What Does it Take To Make it?

Sponsored by

A Women in Business Panel Event

On Tuesday 29th October, our annual Women in Business Panel Event, sponsored by Barclays, took place at the Hong Kong Club. This year’s panel was made up of Bin Wolfe, Managing Partner -Talent, Asia Pacific, Ernst & Young, Heidi Badgery, Senior Director, Strategy and Business Development, Symantec, Henry Ingrouille, Chief Operating Officer, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Nick Marsh, Managing Director, Harvey Nash, Asia Pacific and it was moderated by Angie Lau, Markets Reporter, Bloomberg. The panelists took the discussion about the impact of gender diversity on corporate leadership to the next level and looked at what it actually takes for female executives to succeed in the corporate world today.


Britain in Hong Kong

The Annual Economic Debate

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Sponsored by

Nothing is Certain but Uncertainty – Where Should You Put Your Money in the Year 2014? In this much anticipated annual event, the Scottish Business Group once again invited Dr. Jim Walker and Simon Ogus, of Asianomics and DSGAsia respectively, to share their insight and engage the audience in a lively and interactive debate held at the Island Shangri-La on Wednesday 30th October. In a departure from the previous “proposition” based debate, this time they shared their opinions on where they would put their money in the year ahead. The sense of humour of the two speakers no doubt made this informative session an even more enjoyable experience.

GLOBAL POSITION, WORLD’S BEST LOCATION Sydney’s central business district has a new international address. Now Leasing. ITS2015.COM

John Hickey +61 2 8243 9901

Mark Lacey +61 2 9257 0286

Tim O’Connor +61 2 9220 8680

Artist impression only, as at October 2013. Subject to planning approval.


m d

ember iscounts

There are many great benefits of being a member of The British Chamber of Commerce. One of those is the Member Discounts programme 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 find these benefits listed below and for more details please visit our website www.britcham.com

ood & Beverage & Accommodation Accor

Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

Members will receive 10% discount on top of the lowest rates that Accor’s Asian hotels are offering on the day. This applies to over 1600 Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure, Thalassa & Orbis hotels worldwide. You will also receive 5% discount on top of the best unrestricted rates for hotels including ibis (in specific countries), All Seasons & Hôtel Barrière. For more information please contact Regina Yip on 2868 1171 or email regina.yip@accor.com

15% discount on food and beverage at The Grill and 10% discount on treatments upon spending HK$1,000 at Plateau Spa. To make a reservation please contact The Grill on 2584 7722 or the Plateau Spa on 2584 7688

Alfie’s Members of the British Chamber of Commerce can benefit from a 10% discount at this chic restaurant in Hong Kong. To make a reservation please call 2530 4422 or email booking.alfies@ keeclub.com

Berry Bros. & Rudd Members can benefit from a 10% discount on all retail prices as well as receiving invitations to free tastings and other wine events during promotional period. For more information please call 2907 2112

Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong Members will receive a 20% 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 15% discount on the bill. For more information please call 2810 6988 or email dotcod@hkcc.org

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

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

Renaissance Harbour View Hotel Members will receive a 10% discount on the total bill at award-winning Dynasty Chinese Restaurant, all day dining at Cafe Renaissance, Scala Italian Restaurant and the Lobby Lounge. To make a reservation please call 2802 8888

W Hong Kong Members will receive 15% off the lunch buffet in Kitchen and dinner in Sing Yin Monday to Friday, and 10% off in all venues at all other times. For more information or to make a reservation please call 3717 2222


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ifestyle & Travel British Airways

sense of touch

As a member of the British Chamber of Commerce you can enjoy exclusive offers from British Airways. For more information please visit: www.britcham.com/memberdiscount/ british-airways

Britcham members will receive 20% off all treatments on their first visit upon a total spend of $1,000, 10% off facials and massages in all subsequent visit as well as a $1,000 treatment coupon when purchasing a $10,000 cash package. For more information please call 2201 4547

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

Virgin Atlantic Airways

VisitBritain British Chamber members can get 5% on all purchases from VisitBritain’s online shop by entering the code TR7DE67! at the checkout. Please visit www.visitbritaindirect.com/world for further details.

Special offers are available exclusively for members of the British Chamber of Commerce. Please call 2532 6060 for more details or to make a reservation

usiness Services Compass Offices

Regus

Compass Offices are offering all Britcham members a free, no obligation 1 month Virtual Office Address Package to help you get set up in Hong Kong as well as 50% off meeting room rental. Please email hksales@compassoffice.com or call +852 3796 7188 to find out more.

Britcham members will receive a complimentary six-month Businessworld Gold card that gets you access to 1,200 business lounges in prime central city business locations in Asia and around the world. For more information or to accept this offer please visit www.regus.hk/localpartnership and enter the activation code APHKBCC in the Promotional Code box.

The Executive centre Members can enjoy a complimentary Serviced Office for 1 month, 50% off for Virtual Office subscription and up to 20% off meeting room and video conference bookings. Please contact +852 2293 2299 or email hongkong@executivecentre. com for more details.

The Hive The Hive is offering one additional month’s membership at no extra charge for any member who signs up for 6 months. For further details, please visit www.thehive.com.hk


MEMBER GET MEMBER

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Make a successful referral to the British Chamber of Commerce and enjoy a fantastic meal for two! If you happen to refer the most new members to the Chamber, you will win a stunning prize: a complimentary brunch for four at Cafe Deco Bar & Grill, courtesy of Cafe Deco Group.

Cellarmaster Wines The British Chamber is delighted to announce the launch of the 2013 ‘Member get Member’ Campaign which will run from April 2013 – March 2014. As part of this new scheme we are pleased to announce that any new member who signs up through this referral programme will receive a complimentary bottle of Champagne Pommer y, cour tesy of Cellarmaster Wines. In addition, if you successfully introduce a company to us that results in them joining the Chamber, you will receive a fantastic dinner for two courtesy of a top restaurant in Hong Kong.

Cafe Deco Bar & Grill Sunday Brunch For the most amazing views of Hong Kong, Cafe Deco Bar & Grill is a great brunch option. Indulge in a wide variety of delicious specials whilst overlooking the Peak’s spectacular view every Sunday and public holiday from 11am to 3pm at Cafe Deco Bar & Grill. Guests can pay $468, which includes free-flowing Clair diamant blanc de blanc N.V., Nugan 3rd Generation semillion & Chardonnay, Chateau Fontaubert Bordeaux and soda. For kids aged between 3 and 11 years old brunch costs $238. This brunch features Canadian sustainable sea urchin specials for customers to feast upon and a kids’ entertainer to keep the little ones occupied.


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So what are you waiting for?  Spread the word throughout your network to enjoy a complimentary meal for two at one of these fantastic member restaurants: The Bostonian, The Langham, Hong Kong This well-established restaurant has been a Hong Kong favourite for well over a decade.  Located at the lower lobby level of The Langham, Hong Kong, The Bostonian has an excellent reputation for its superb steaks, and more recently its fully sustainable seafood menu. Featured by one of Hong Kong’s influential restaurant bibles, “The Hong Kong Best Restaurant Guide” since 2000 and recommended by The Michelin guide, the Bostonian is a hallmark for impeccable service and exceptional food. Guests can indulge in a tantalising array of fresh seafood from around the world at the “Raw Bar”, including home-made smoked salmon, prawns, crabs and freshly shucked oysters. The enticing menu also includes gourmet favourites such as maine crab cakes, sautéed foie gras, clam chowder, as well as separate menus for the restaurant’s specialties – the Boston lobster galore, seafood sharing platters and Bostonian grill.

cafe TOO, Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong The innovative cafe TOO brings casual dining to a higher level of creativity. Their ten cooking theatres, each featuring a different culinary style, are showcases for the best of international cuisine as well as stages for their chefs’ engaging performances.

Café Renaissance, Renaissance Harbour View Hotel Hong Kong Café Renaissance is the perfect place for all day dining. Located on the Mezzanine floor, the 210-seat all-day dining café serves a wide variety of dishes from all over the world. Café Renaissance serves wholesome breakfasts, chef crafted lunches and dinner buffets plus à la carte menu daily and brunch on weekends, in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. In addition to the great array of fresh seafood delights using the freshest ingredients, guests can also enjoy a tantalising array of international favourites and local specialties from live cooking stations.

To enter: • Consider who among your contacts might be interested in joining the Chamber • Email phillippa@britcham.com with the name and contact details of your suggested company • If appropriate, contact your suggested company and let them know that the Chamber will be in touch • The Chamber will follow up with each suggestion directly • If your referral is successful, the Chamber will contact you with details of how to book your dinner Terms & Conditions • You must be a member of the British Chamber to be eligible for this offer • The dining vouchers will only be provided if your referral results in a new member for the Chamber • This offer is valid for all members whose referral results in a new Corporate, Overseas or Startup member of the Chamber. It does not apply to Additional members or additional YNetwork members • The Chamber will allocate the restaurant vouchers. Members will not be able to choose which restaurant they visit and must adhere to the terms and conditions


In Memory of Derek Smyth As many of you will know, Derek passed away last month to the shock of everyone who heard the news. He had seemed such a fixture in the affairs of the Chamber; it is hard to envisage our membership without him. Derek’s warm and approachable personality made everyone who had the good fortune to know him enjoy life that little bit more. His presence helped make the chamber a more special place to share business ideas and common interests. Derek arrived in Hong Kong in 1980 and joined Gammon Construction, then as now, the leading construction business in our Chamber. His career both at Gammon and in his other business activities, not only in our Chamber but also as Director of the Business Environment Council, stands as an example to everyone in business of how to achieve great personal career success while simultaneously enriching the broader business sector. Derek joined the Chamber in 1996 and had been actively involved ever since. He soon took over the Chair of the Construction Industry Group and under his leadership it became a major force in bringing the industry together to push for change; in safety, productivity, the improvement of working standards for staff in the industry, and many other areas. Without him, it is doubtful so much could have been achieved. The execution of the work he began is not yet complete. Earlier this year the work he led to produce the Vision 2020 document, jointly with the Hong Kong Construction Association, created an executable plan for the next 7 years, through which the construction industry in Hong Kong could be brought up to world-class standards. It would be a fitting memorial to Derek’s career, if we in the Chamber could play our part now in achieving his aspirations. We have lost a friend; let’s retain his hopes.

The British Chamber’s Sterling Members

Thank you for your continued support


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News Accor Hong Kong Launches Cross-regional Scavenger Hunt, demonstrating how Social Media has Revolutionised Travel Hong Kong was alive with the buzz of social media representatives from across SE Asia and as far away as Australia as seven teams of two battled it out in the inaugural Accor Hong Kong Es-capers scavenger hunt from 9-11 September, using their social media contacts to assist them. In a challenge designed by the teams at Novotel and ibis Hotels in Hong Kong, each team of two travel-writers from Singapore, Malaysia, China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia had to reach checkpoints, find clues and hunt down special photo opportunities to win points towards their team’s final tally. Using social media and their contacts to assist them and a special hashtag of #EsCapersHK, they instagrammed, tweeted and updated their Facebook profiles as they reach the checkpoints. From Kowloon to Hong Kong Island, the Hong Kong Es-capers were easily identifiable in their special polo-shirts as they zipped around the city, culminating in a cruise where prizes and accolades were handed out to the winning teams in a series of creative challenges. By night they were invited to see Hong Kong’s famous skyline on a sunset cruise and to meet five lucky guests who were staying in-house on the night of 10th September after being awarded a special invitation to a sunset cruise and a prize each of 20,000 points in Accor’s guest loyalty programme, Le Club AccorHotels to reward their loyalty. The Malaysian team won the contest overall. The 2-day event generated a buzz, using the special hashtag on Twitter #escapersHK generated 1,018,917 impressions and reached 125,841 Twitter accounts. Instagram recorded 192 photos uploaded, with each receiving a minimum of three likes each. This event was run in collaboration between Accor, Cathay Pacific, Garuda Indonesia and the Hong Kong Tourism Board to see how social media has changed the way people travel. The first event of its kind, it showcased how new media channels have changed the way people plan, execute and report on their travel experiences, while simultaneously highlighting some of the most interesting attractions in Hong Kong.

Eversheds to become a Sterling Member of the British Chamber

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FOOKIE MOTORS CO. LTD. Shop 7, G/F, Paramount Bldg., 12 Ka Yip Street, Chai Wan, Hong Kong.

The British Chamber are delighted to announce that Eversheds has become their 18th Sterling Member. Eversheds, the international law firm, recently celebrated the 5th anniversary of the opening of its Hong Kong office by hosting a Jazz Cocktail Party at SEVVA. Eversheds has seen rapid growth as it has taken a progressive approach to building its business in Asia by partnering with its clients to deliver global solutions to their legal requirements. Key growth areas for Eversheds have been litigation, corporate, M&A and banking. The firm has developed some forward thinking techniques to deliver high quality legal advice in a spirit of cost effectiveness and efficiency – a message that has resonated with its clients. Over 200 guests together with Eversheds Global Leadership Team attended the Cocktail party – a great time was had by all!

Rising Demand for Procurement Professionals in Hong Kong Demand for Procurement Managers in Hong Kong’s retail sector is increasing as China continues to open new factories and plants, says recruiting experts Hays Procurement in Hong Kong. According to the recruiter, this market will continue to blossom as China has been capitalising on countless opportunities from international businesses. “Today procurement is seen as a strategic function that not only improves an organisation’s profitability but also helps to streamline processes, reduce prices for raw materials and identify better quality of supply,” says Marc Burrage, Regional Director of Hays in Hong Kong. “Given that Hong Kong remains one of the world’s major retail centres, we are also seeing demand from retail and FMCG operations for back office Merchandisers to regulate the flow of goods and how they are allocated within regional markets. There are a lot of candidates in this space however quality candidates remain in short supply,” says Marc. “We are also seeing demand for Sourcing Managers as these professionals track down quality suppliers and maintain quality products and services. This is an important priority since many organisations have their head offices located in Hong Kong but most of the manufacturing and supplier development is anchored in the Southern Chinese provinces.”


New Members STERLING

ADDITIONAL STARTUP

Eversheds Stephen Kitts Managing Partner, Asia Tel 2186 3262 Stephenkitts@eversheds.com 21/F, Gloucester Tower, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Legal

John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Ltd. Ben Ellinger Corporate Planning Manager Tel 2767 3690 ben.ellinger@haeco.com 33/F, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong Conglomerate/Holding Company

Saxo Capital Markets HK Limited Flemming Helbo Managing Director Tel 3760 1388 fhe@saxobank.com Unit 1201-1202, 12/F, Agricultural Bank of China Tower, 50 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong Financial Services

Standard Life Investments (Hong Kong) Limited Shukyi Yun People Consultant Tel 3589 3105 shukyi_yun@standardlife.com 40/F, Tower 1, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Asset Management

White Crane Group Limited Anthony Hope Director Tel 5411 4024 ahope@whitecranestrategy. com 13/I, Hoi Kung Court, 264 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Consultancy

HKUST Roger Levermore Interim Director, MBA Programs Tel 2358 8749 rjleverm@ust.hk The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, SBM Dean’s Office, Room 6415, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong Education

The Boat Company Limited Jonathon Fletcher Director Tel 5190 5280 jonathon.fletcher@boat.com.hk B38 Discovery Bay Marina, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong Property Asset Management

CORPORATE Globaleye (Hong Kong) Ltd Jason Conlin Director Tel 3621 0020 jconlin@globaleye.com Suite 504, 5/F, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong Asset Management Bird & Bird Richard Keady Partner Tel 2248 6067 richard.keady@twobirds.com 4/F., Three Pacific Place, 1 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong Legal

Know your way around Relocating means preparing everything, and everyone for a new home. Relocating is a big change for most people. It can be difficult and stressful, but it should be exciting and rewarding for everyone. Our experience and knowledge, built up from nearly fifty years as a worldwide relocations company, is shared by all our people in more than 200 locations. We’ll always be there to help you get the most from your relocation.

Tel: +852 2636 8388 hongkong@crownrelo.com

Go knowing

www.crownrelo.com/hongkong

OVERSEAS

INDIVIDUAL

Foster & Son Richard Edgecliff-Johnson Chairman Tel 020 7930 5385 chairman@foster.co.uk 83 Jermyn Street, St. James, London, SW1Y 6JD, United Kingdom Fashion

Niall Archibald Tel 2884 7702 narchibald@kroll.com 1701-02 Central Plaza, 18 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong

YNETWORK Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Ltd Jesse Lee Graduate Engineer – Aviation Tel 9457 3765 jesseleeuk@yahoo.co.uk 20/F, Two Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong Consultant Engineers

Robert Glover Tel +86 10 8470 2735 robert@careforchildren.com.cn Care for Children, Diplomatic Residence Compound, 5-2-81, 1 Xin Don Street, Chao Yang District, Beijing, 100600, China Scherzade Westwood Tel 2868 0696 s.burden@oln-law.com 5th Floor, St. George’s Building, 2 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong


Britain in Hong Kong

Shaken Not Stirred Sponsored By

26th September 2013, asia medical specialists

Bruce Anderson (Mededs Video Productions), Dr. Jason Brockwell (asia medical specialists)

Neil Logan (Henley Business School), Llewelyn James (IP Global)

Jim Mackie (Forth Capital), Rob England (en world), Martyn Ludlow (Forth Capital), Dennis Chan (Henley Business School)

Phillippa Cook (British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong), Andrew Primrose

Elliot McMahon (AGS Four Winds), Aaron Smith (Asia Medical Specialists)

Rob England (en World), Steve Vickers (Steve Vickers Associates)

Elliot McMahon (AGS Four Winds), Steve Vickers (Steve Vickers Associates)

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