HONG KONG, June 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards 2017, jointly organized by The Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies ("CHKLC") and the Centre for Corporate Governance and Financial Policy ("CCGFP") of Hong Kong Baptist University is open for nominations starting today (June 19) till August 18, 2017.
"The Chamber is pleased to continue to organise this event to promote a strong corporate governance culture of our market. In recent months, the market is marred by companies with excessive share price volatility and other corporate behaviours that jeopardize shareholders interests. This award programme serves as a reminder of the importance of corporate governance that honour sharehoders rights. By giving recognition to the success of leading companies in corporate governance, we showcase the benefits it will do to the companies and all shareholders, thus encouraging more companies to follow suit," said Mr. Francis Leung, Chairman of the Chamber.
"Ultimately, we wish to spread the message that corporate governance is key not only to the success of individual companies but the reputation and well-being of the entire market," said Mr. Leung.
The nomination for the 2017 Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards begins today and ends on August 18.
The Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards recognizes companies that exhibit a holistic approach to corporate governance and sustainability and demonstrate excellent achievements. Nominations for the Awards are open to all companies listed on the Main Board and GEM Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
In addition to the existing three categories: Hang Seng Index Constituents Companies; Hang Seng Composite Index Constituents Companies and Others and GEM Board Companies, from this year onwards, two new award categories will be created, namely Chinese Enterprises and Newly Listed Companies. The former category is opened to companies who are constituents of the Hang Seng China (Hong Kong-listed)100 Index while the latter is for companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong within three years prior to the year of nomination.
"The creation of the two new categories is to enable a wider spectrum of companies to get recognition," said Mr. Leung. "There will also be simplified application procedures to encourage more companies to come forward."
As part of the overall assessment in giving Corporate Governance Excellence Awards, the Judging Panel would consider giving an award on Sustainability Excellence to companies whose performance and achievements in sustainability measures achieve an excellent standard. No separate submission is required.
The panel of judges will choose the winners using a model of eight key corporate governance and sustainability aspects respectively, developed by the CCGFP. Special attention will be given to companies that demonstrate innovation and significant improvements in corporate governance and/or sustainability made over the last three years; efforts made to internalize and pursue the highest principles of corporate governance and/or sustainability over-and-beyond compliance with requirements; and the ability to show positive business impact of the corporate governance and/or sustainability spirit and practices.
For press enquiries, please contact:
The Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies
Amy Leung Tel: 2970 0886 Email: amyleung@chklc.org
About the Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies
Incorporated in September 2002, CHKLC is a non-profit organization serving listed companies in Hong Kong. The Chamber strives to promote sound corporate governance, function as an effective communication channel between listed companies and regulatory authorities, strengthen the commercial linkage and foster co-operation among listed companies from Hong Kong and China and uphold Hong Kong's position as an international trade, commercial and financial centre. Since 2007, the Chamber organises the annual "Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards" jointly with the Hong Kong Baptist University to advocate best practices of corporate governance and recognize excellence.
About the Centre for Corporate Governance & Financial Policy of Hong Kong Baptist University
The Centre aspires to be a "Centre of Excellence" on corporate governance in the region. It promotes quality policy and academic research on corporate governance and related financial policy issues covering Hong Kong, Mainland China and the Asia-Pacific economies, with the aim to improve the quality of corporate governance practices. Additionally, the Centre provides professional executive education activities to disseminate knowledge and advance the highest ideals of responsible business leadership. Through consultancy projects, the Centre also assists organizations to design, improve and assess their corporate governance systems and structures.
Notes to Editors:
About the Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards 2017
The Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards are conferred annually since 2007 by the Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies and the Centre for Corporate Governance and Financial Policy, Hong Kong Baptist University and are designed to promote and award excellence in corporate governance of listed companies in Hong Kong. The Awards Programme provides recognition and prestige for listed companies in achieving outstanding commitments to shareholder rights, compliance, integrity, fairness, responsibility, accountability, transparency, board independence & leadership, and corporate social responsibility.
From 2017, there are five award categories, namely the Hang Seng Index Constituent Companies, Hang Seng Composite Index Constituent Companies, Hang Seng China (Hong Kong-listed)100 Index, Others & GEM Board Companies, and Newly listed Companies (those listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong within three years prior to the year of nomination).
The 2017 Awards Programme is sponsored by BDO as Bronze Sponsor and supported by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, Securities and Futures Commission, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association, and the Hong Kong Investment Funds Association. Hong Kong Economic Times is Sole Chinese Newspaper Sponsor of the event; Metro Finance is Exclusive Radio Partner; Quamnet, irasia.com and EQS TodayIR are Online Media Partners, and PR Newswire as Regional News Release Distribution Partner.
Any Hong Kong listed companies can self-nominate or be nominated for the Awards. Entry forms can be downloaded from www.chklc.org. Results of the awards will be announced at the prize presentation gala dinner to be held on December 14, 2017.
