HONG KONG, June 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards 2015, 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 15) till September 17, 2015.
The Awards programme recognizes companies that exhibit a holistic approach to corporate governance and business ethics. Nominations for the Awards are open to all companies listed on the Main Board and GEM Board of the HKEx in three categories: Hang Seng Index Constituents Companies; Hang Seng Composite Index Constituents Companies and Others and GEM Board Companies.
As part of the overall assessment in giving Corporate Governance Excellence Awards, the Judging Panel would consider giving a special award on Sustainability Excellence to companies whose performance and achievements in sustainability endeavours achieve an excellent standard. No separate submission is required.
"Corporate governance is a key condition of a stock market as it assures listed companies' quality in decisions-making, internal control and risk management; promotes transparency and accountability, resulting in better investor protection. As the Hong Kong market embarks on increased connectivity with the mainland, this becomes more important. Investors seek higher assurance when they invest across market boundaries and would look to solid corporate governance as an indication of quality and investment worthiness," said Mr. Patrick Sun, Chairman of CHKLC.
"With carefully designed criteria and stringent evaluation process, the Corporate Governance Excellence Awards is the hallmark of excellence in governance and company qualities and will help attract investors to the award winners," Mr. Sun said.
Mr. Eddy Fong, former Chairman of Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong and Council Chairman of the Open University of Hong Kong, will lead the Judging Panel for the third year. This year, the panel welcomes Mr. David Lui, a veteran fund manager as a new member.
"We are pleased to have invited David to join us in our efforts. David is an authoritative figure in Hong Kong asset management. His profound experience in evaluating companies as an investor complements well with the other expertise of the judging panel and provides unique insights for the selection of winners," Mr. Fong added.
Other members of the judging panel are distinguished experts from the fields of regulation, financial, investment, accounting, legal and academic. They 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.
Companies listed on the HKEx are invited to participate in the Corporate Governance Excellence Awards under three categories: Constituents of Hang Seng Index, Constituents of Hang Seng Composite Index, Other Main Board and GEM Board companies. Companies may be awarded the special Sustainability Excellence Awards at the same time or independently.
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, and from 2008 organises the annual "Listed Companies Conference" to provide a forum of discussion of stock market issues on a regular basis, with the 2012 and 2014 events held in Shanghai and Shenzhen, respectively.
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, 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
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 (CG) 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.
There are 3 award categories, namely the Hang Seng Index Constituent Companies; Hang Seng Composite Index Constituent Companies and other Main Board & GEM Board Companies. Special prizes/honorable mentions may also be awarded.
The 2015 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, HKICPA, 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 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 9, 2015.
The Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies
Room 3710, 37/F, Hopewell Centre,
183 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2970 0886
Fax: (852) 2970 0555
Email: info@chklc.org
Website: www.chklc.org
