HKEx’s Women’s Exchange, or WEx, highlighted the importance of “Women on Boards: Role Models and Mentors” in nurturing female leaders at its annual reception held this evening (25 November). The event was part of HKEx’s efforts to promote diversity, particularly gender diversity, with an aim to strengthen boards, provide new perspectives, and help avoid “Groupthink”.
HKEx Chief Executive Charles Li gave the opening remarks and announced the rollout of HKEx’s 2016 Back to Work Programme, which is designed to help women resume their careers after leaving the workforce for a few years.
“We formally introduced our Mentorship Programme this year to enrich career development opportunities here at HKEx,” said Mr Li. “We hope to have a support system for staff to help them grow and benefit from others’ experiences and perspectives.”
Teresa Ko, Partner and China Chairman of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, non-executive director of the Securities and Futures Commission and chairman of the Listing Committee of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange from 2009 to 2012 shared her experience and her views on the topic of Women on Boards.
HKEx’s Chief Regulatory Officer and Head of Listing David Graham also discussed recent changes to the Corporate Governance Code in HKEx’s Listing Rules aimed at promoting board diversity. “Board diversity, which includes gender, helps improve decision-making, leads to better corporate governance and ultimately contributes to good business performance.”
Mr Graham also noted WEx’s contributions at HKEx. “Through its excellent work, the Women’s Exchange has become an important element of HKEx’s corporate social responsibility programme and supported the company’s effort to develop good governance. WEx’s work is also in line with the Stock Exchange’s ongoing regulatory effort to enhance issuers’ environmental, social and governance performance and reporting.”
Over the past year, the Women’s Exchange has presented regular luncheon talks featuring prominent individuals in the financial industry to share their experience as role models, organised a number of meaningful fundraising events for charities, and arranged a series of networking events engaging female professionals. Its plans for the coming year include looking into hosting an informal event for listed companies, potential issuers/bankers and women who have business or leadership experience and may be interested in serving as independent non-executive directors of listed companies.
WEx was started by HKEx staff in 2013 to promote the development of policies and programmes within the company that support women in leadership roles. It also encourages the creation of community outreach programmes which connect HKEx staff with the company’s female clients and raises awareness of women’s issues through the company’s charitable work.
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