Corporate Governance at the Crossroads

The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries Hosted a Forum on Governance that Provided a Unique Opportunity for Members and Senior Market Practitioners to Debate the Effectiveness of INEDs

The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries (HKICS) hosted the 'Corporate Governance at the Crossroads' forum today (8th January 2008) at the Pacific Place Conference Centre in Admiralty.

This forum drew upon a unique blend of experts who have both theoretical and practical experience to address the vexed issues of corporate stewardship, dual listings and ethics. With reference to case studies, the keynote speaker, Professor Deborah DeMott, David F. Cavers Professor of Law at Duke University, highlighted the similarities that family-influenced public companies in the United States of America shared with their Hong Kong counterparts. Her study confirms the diversion between the interests of the family with those of the other shareholders of the company and that the law may legitimate actions taken by directors that favour the former over the latter. The three panel sessions drew upon the vast experience of the speakers to critically debate the effectiveness of independent non-executive directors in Hong Kong; the challenges and opportunities that arise from dual A and H-share listings; and the increasing importance of compliance and ethical conduct as the cornerstones of good corporate culture.

See full Press Release.