Ms Clara CHONG Ming-wah Executive Director Hong Kong Tourism Board

As the most senior executive of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Clara Chong will lead the reconstituted organisation in attaining new standards of excellence and taking Hong Kong tourism into a new era from 1 April 2001.

A consummate marketing professional, Ms Chong joins the organisation after 15 years with Standard Chartered Bank, where since October 2000 she has undertaken the dual roles of Country Head, Credit Card & Personal Loan, Hong Kong and China, and worldwide Group Head, Strategic Marketing & Customer Development. During her stewardship of the credit card business, Standard Chartered has become Hong Kong’s largest credit card issuing bank.

After graduating with Honours in Chemistry from the University of Nottingham, England, in 1980, Ms Chong gained an MBA in marketing from the University of Bradford, then returned to Hong Kong to join the Time magazine group in 1982. She was appointed Circulation Manager for the Asian edition of Fortune International in 1984, then New Business Manager for Time in Southeast Asia the following year.

She moved to Standard Chartered Bank in 1986 as Direct Marketing Manager, Consumer Banking, Hong Kong, then managed the Asset Products and Liability Products businesses before being appointed Senior Marketing Manager, Hong Kong in 1992. Her achievements in marketing were recognised in the Hong Kong Management Association’s Marketing Excellence Awards with Gold Award for Outstanding Campaign in 1989 and a Silver Award in 1996.

As Head of Card Services, Hong Kong, from 1997 to 2000, Ms Chong led the acquisition team for the Chase card portfolio and also secured numerous credit card industry awards for Standard Chartered Bank.

Fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, Ms Chong is married with a young son and among her spare time interests, is a member of the Haven of Hope Old People’s Nursing Home charity.

She took up her new responsibilities on 19 March 2001.