Members Movements: Oct 2023

New Members

Correspondent

David Pierson, Correspondent, The New York Times
Michael Mainville, Regional Director – Asia Pacific, Agence France-Presse
Mayumi Melissa Maruyama, Cable News Network International
Alexander Lynn, Hong Kong Bureau Chief, Pei Media
Josh Ye, China Technology Correspondent, Thomson Reuters

Associates

Linda Jane Connell , Solicitor
Hyuk Joon John Kwon, General Counsel Global Legal & Strategy, CATL
Kuresh Mohammed Bhai Sarjan, Managing Director, HSBC
Wai Yip Hin, Senior Partner, Henry Wai & Co
Duke Elmo Bonnin Malan, Director of Media, AIA Group
Choy Chak Kwan Eric, Equity Research Director, Citigroup Global Markets Asia
Graham Charles Lannoy, COO, BlackRock
Yiu Tat Suen, Director of IT, ACP Medication Management Centre
David Gregory Adams, Managing Director, AIn’t Games
Ho Stephen Wing Yuen
Cheung Queenie Lissa, Lawyer, Ashurst
Chan Nap Kee Joseph, Founding Partner, Oriental Patron Financial Group
Falaq Kagda, Freelance Editor and Writing Coach
Raul Fabian Lischka, Credit Suisse
Manohar Thakurdas Chugh, Chairman, Nisha Electronic Industries
Lam Joseph Chok, Director, Chok Station
Mildred Hugh Janelle, Retired
Chen Jia Feng, VP/Director, Metro Asia Investment Management
David Harley, Marine Insurance UK P & i Club/Thomas Miller
Richard Leong, The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Qi Jianan, Technical Director, Albamen Capital Partners
John Alexander McLean, General Counsel, Vistra Group
Gregg Li, Orion Astropreneur Space Academy
Ooi Gaik Cheng, Medical Doctor (Radiologist), Self Employed
Chung Wing Sze, Barrister-at-law
Elizabeth Furniss, Head of People Division Asia & Middle East, St James’s Place
Ng Sung Kei Michael, Managing Director of Finance Metropolitan Capital

Membership Replacements

Corporate

Vincenzo Crapanzano, Head of Financial Crime Prevention Audit, UBS AG
Wu Brian Danny, Managing Director, JP Morgan Chase Bank
Christopher Peter Woodward, Head of Family Office, Advisory, Asia Pacific, HSBC

Diplomatic

Venkata Ramana Kuchibatla, Consul General, Consulate General of India
Peter John Lund, Consul General, New Zealand Consulate-General

Absent

Correspondents

Robert James Fenner, Editor, Bloomberg News
Rebecca Anne Bailey, Correspondent, Agence France-Presse

Journalist

Andrea Zavadszky, Managing Editor, Lexipro Media Services

Associates

Peter Barrett, Retired
John McCormick, Consultant, Cathay Pacific Airways
Marguerite Anne Walker, Self-Employed
Simon James Pritchard, Global Research Director, Gavekal Research
Elizabeth Anne Wilson, Managing Director, Lynchpin Bondholder Management
Wijnandus Adrianus van Hoeven, Self-Employed
Yasmin Mahboobani, Managing Director, Jovian Creations
Howard Nathan Wheeler, Owner, LSR Services
James Jia-Chang Louie, Blu Inc Media
Scott Harrison, Managing Director, Aquis Search
Harmina Hilga Warringa, Owner, Summer & Co
Pekka Elias Antero Heikari, CEO, Eurasia Supply Chain Management
Murlidhar Maiya, Managing Director, JP Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific)
Nicholas John Thompson, Director, C & C Consulting
Hendrik Penndorf, Managing Director, YGM Trading
Richard Charles Allen Granger, Self-Employed
Au Wai Keung Stephen, Executive Director, Julius Baer & Co
Olivia Emily Emma Scott, Doctor, Townsville Hospital Health Services
Pang Kai Tao, Adjutant, Administration Group, Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps
Mounir Guen, CEO, MVision Private Equity Advisers Asia
Chan Pui Nga, Director, Bank of Nova Scotia
Dominic Alexander Rigby, CFO, Mvision
Ambar Taneja, CIO, Geomatrix (HK)
Kashyap Krishan Vazirani, Senior Trader, Macsteel International Far East
Wong Suk Yin, Chief Marketing Officer, Invest Hong Kong
Li Chun Hin Justin, Self-Employed
Tse Sharie Ross, Total Media
Li Quentin Chun Yin, Private Wealth Management, Goldman Sachs (Asia)
Wan Sim, Retired
Wu William Wai Leung, Self-Employed

Reactivated

Correspondent

Nury Vittachi, Columnist
Anthony Spaeth, Editor, Korea Joong Ang Daily

Associates

Fok Kwong Hang Terry, Managing Director, T & F Equities
Julian Michael Stargardt, Director
Brett Anthony Rohrsheim, Self-Employed
Chan Kylie Candy Kei Kei, Associate Director, The Wall Street Journal
Elaine Davis, Chief Operating Officer, Nine Masts Capital
Gavin John Herrmann, Managing Director, Standard Chartered

Resigned

Journalist

Nicola Karen Burridge, Freelance
Chi Pan Year Ernest, General Manager, Sing Tao News
Fung Wai Kong, Consulting Editor, Hong Kong Economic Journal

Associates

Shanti Govindaraju, Senior Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Anthony Langridge, Chairman, OneGlobal
Daniel Curry Chinoy, Self-Employed
Natalie Ann Williams, Vice President, Bank of New York Mellon
Tsui Yuk Siang Mabel, Barrister-at-Law, Victoria Chambers
Kishor Mistry, CEO, Peak Pacific
Mark Stephen Steed, Principal, CEO, Kellett School

Category Changes

Terry Duckham, Director, Asiapix Studios: Correspondent to Silver Correspondent
Wai Fun Angelina Hathey Cheung, Director, Hathey Int’l Holdings: Honorary Widow

Members Movements: July 2023

New Members

Correspondent

Lau Lauren Faith, Journalist, Bloomberg
Orla Elizabeth Ryan, Deputy Asia News Editor, Financial Times
James Wilson, Asia News Editor, Financial Times

Journalist

Kieran Cash, Production Editor, South China Morning Post
Becky Lee, Executive Producer, Freebase Media (HK)
Elisabet Maria Erika Helande, Editor in Chief, Bulletin
Lok Ho Yin Evelyn, Freelance Writer
Luk Chun Kau, Senior Managing Editor, Ming Pao Newspapers
Zheng Wei William, Senior China Correspondent, South China Morning Post

Associates

Edward Alexander Gordon Alder, Barrister at Law
Nicholas John Appel, Self-owned, Sourcing Solutions Far East
David Benskin, Co-Founder, 28 Advisory
John Binks, Strategy Director, Central Venue Management
Lawrence Brader, Investment funds & ETFs specialist, HSBC Hong Kong
John Charles Bugg, Self Employed / Investor
Mark Carr, Managing Director and Chief Enterprise Architect, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing
Nicholas Case, Founder & Chief Operations Officer, Armstrong-Hilton Communication
Chan Ka Shun Raymond, Food Business Director, Advance Caterers
Chan Wing Ping, Assistant General Manager, Takungpao Newspaper
Alexandre Huguet
Amos Chan, Associate Manager, Bank Julius Baer
Janssen Chan, Tax Professional (CPA), Anssen Consulting
Meryl Reine Chantilly, Managing Director, Ryuvision Holdings
Chen Peter Guang, China Partner, Deloitte
Cheng Kai Wah, Consultant, JTC Solicitors
Gautam Chellaram, CEO, KC Maritime Hong Kong
Veronica Chow, Lawyer, Howse Williams
Gerald Clough, Consultant, Catalyst International
Rianna Manoj Chugani, Account Director, Forrester Hong Kong
Chung Kaiwan, Pilot (Management), Greater Bay Airlines
Angus Roderick James Davidson, Fund Manager, Natixis Investment Managers
Michael Edward Sean Denmark, Chairman, Great Entertainment Group
Nicholas Drapac, Chief Executive Officer, Goldstrom
Tsoi Wai Kwan Michele Emmanuelle, Retired
Ho Chun Ki Frederick, Partner, Ho Tse Wai & Partners
Natalie Lee Fung, Consultant, PrincewaterhouseCoopers
Lee Ka Hok George, Partner, Guantao & Chow Solicitors and Notaries
Matthew Alexander Grange, Senior Communication Manager, HSBC
Michael Jeremy Griffiths, Retired
Richard Goss, Lecturer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Kazutora Hayashida, Seiga Asset Management
Roberta Hamilton
Michael Hieb, Chief Risk Officer, Segantii Capital Management
Paul Robert Hill, Investment Director, Ship Street Advisors
James Hill, Managing Partner, SEC Newgate Greater China
Trevor John Inglis, Procurement Executive, HSBC
Christopher John Purdon, Chief Investment Officer, Ship Street Advisors
Mukesh Kalra, Director, Mercury Global
Vibha Karnik, Partnership Manager, The Zubin Foundation
Lo Nga Lam Anna, Self-Employed
Wendy Leadbeater, Medical Support + Vet Nurse Education Manager, Mars Veterinary Health
Marcus Lee, Executive Officer, Government of the Hong Kong SAR
Vincent Gar-Gene Leung, CFO, AOP Capital
Tuomas Lilleberg, Entrepreneur, TMVL Consulting
John Lovell, Director, Diemens Pty
Sandeep Singh Mand, Finance Manager, Wolver Hill Asset Management Asia
Springer Maximilian, Managing Director, Salire Trading Company
Minal Ramesh Mahtani, CEO & Founder, OCD and Anxiety Support Hong Kong
Lee Shu Nung
Eileen O’Connell, Partner / Business Development, Ernst & Young (Hong Kong)
Russell Parker, Managing Director, Crater Gold Mining
Keng Guan Catherine Por, Solicitor, Messrs Stevens
Hitesh Chandiram Ratnani, Manager, C. Doulatram & Sons
Michael Rogers, Managing Director, Overland Trade
Peter Joseph Ryan-Kane, Investment Advisor, Perk Advisory
Nichlas Rydin, Vice President of Sales, Norebo Hong Kong
Tiger Shi, Chief Executive Officer, BANDS Financial
Clare Jane Marian Skinner, Operations Executive, Carey Olsen
George Gee Foo So, Retired
Benedict Sutton, Co-Founder and Executive Director, 28 Advisory
Joey Sung, Senior Director, Restructuring & Insolvency and Head of Forensic Services Perun Consultants
James Stewart, Managing Director, Goldman Sacks
Sze Lee Wah George, Managing Director, Systems Integrators <Asia>
Tai Choi Pan, Shipbroker, Clarksons Hong Kong
Tsang Wai Kit
Matthew Glynne Thomas, English Specialist, Consulate General of Japan
Ronald Brien Thompson, Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal Corporate Finance
Anthony Williams, Consultant, Korn Ferry
Lo Po Wing, Barrister
Ceicy Wong, Managing Director, Vegware
Wong Cheuk Fung, Senior Executive Director Head of Sales (HK & SEA), CSOP Asset Management
Wong Hoi, Executive Director, First Distributor for films
Wong Kin Leung James, Partner, KPMG
Wong Tat Lun George, Director, Gtech Services (Hong Kong)
Woo Chiu Shui Dominic, Self-employed
Candice Yip, Head of HR International, Point 72
Young Cho Yee David, Director, Kingsway International Holdings
Mok Sin Yung, Senior Legal Manager, Ogier
Rumen Yordanov, Founder & Managing Director, Asian European Engineering

Membership Replacements

Corporate

Chan Tak Kin Kent, Technical Sales Manager, Gulf Oil Marine
Mark James Phin, Head of Investor Relations, Asia- Pacific, HSBC
Li Wah, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Hong Kong Tourism Board
Loke Kevin Weng Yew, Executive Director, UBS AG

Diplomatic

Merks Lucille, Deputy Consul General, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
David Lyons Stanford JR, Diplomat, Consulate General of the United States of America Christopher
Peter Woodward, Diplomat, British Consulate General Hong Kong

Absent

Correspondents

Enda Curran, Asia Finance Reporter, Bloomberg News
Linda Victoria Jenkins, Freelance Journalist
Anette Jonsson, Deputy Website Editor/Senior Equities Editor, FinanceAsia
Liu Heung Shing, Photographer, Shanghai Center of Photography

Journalist

Rachel Autherson, Freelance Journalist
Hui Kwan Yu, Jessie, Freelance
Christopher George Lincoln, Broadcaster
Elizabeth Lai Shar Lui-Belshaw, Freelance

Associates

Andrew A. Bruce, Barrister, QED Chambers
Angelo Catalano, Responsible Officer, Zhong Shan Asset Management
Eric Charrington, Retired
John Corbett, Psychologist / Lawyer
Christopher J. Dillon, Principal, Dillon Communications
Chen Hongyi, Senior Adviser, Hong Kong Institute for Monetary and Financial Research
Tan Shen Guan, Regional Executive Creative Director, Young & Rubicam
Karl M. Hurst, Owner, HT Capital Management
Michel Jospe, Managing Director, Methong Plastics (H.K.)
Lam Chun Yu Cadence, Director of Foster and Adoption Ministry, Solomon’s Porch
Law Pik Lin, Jessica, Vantage Asia Publishing
Leung Ho Ming, Founder & CEO, VICO Capital
Leung Ka Man, Portfolio Manager, Bluepool Capital
Li Jeremy Yuen Lim, Solicitor, Joseph C.T.Lee & Co. Solicitors
Wendy Evelyn McTavish, Managing Director, Expat Services
Gregory Pearce, Managing Director, One Space
Chan Pak Lin, Perry, Barrister-at-law, Olympia Chambers
Richard Stokes, Systems Advisor, Asia, CNN
Virginia Davis Wilmerding, Partner, Finsbury Glover Hering
Wong Ing Kwong, Douglas, Editor, Bloomberg Intelligence

Reactivated

Correspondent

Bill Condon, Contributor – Comment HK, China Daily Hong Kong

Journalist

Brittyn Kim Clennett, Foreign Correspondent, ABC News

Associates

Anthony Robert Dick, Retired
Carolyn Sue Barwick, Retired
David Paul Grodentz, Group Systems Interface Lead, HSBC
Dagmar Claudia Jurick, Director, Pentland
Marguerite Anne Walker

Resigned

Correspondents

Chad David Williams, Senior Editor, Agence France Press

Journalist

Lucy Rebecca Rose Jenkins, Wine and Spirits Director, Tasting Kitchen

Associates

Dauwood Khan Malik, Managing Partner, Clifford Chance
Giuseppe Milito, Managing Partner, China & Singapore / Executive Coach, Clifford Chance
Wong Lena Sing Ying, General Manager, Fossil

Category Changes

Journalist to Correspondent

Karlene Rebeca H. Cox, Regional Managing Editor, Tatler Asia
Danai Carolyn Howard, Newsdesk Editor, Agence France-Presse

Correspondent to Silver-Correspondent

Tan Lee Hock, Publisher & Founder, Asia Asset Management

Deaths

We regret to announce the deaths of:

Bhagoo Hathey, Director, Hathey Int’l Holdings

Honorary Widow

Lance Montague Burbidge, Chief Investor Relations Officer, AIA
Lucy Burger, Research Fellow

The Correspondent, July – September 2023

The July 2023 issue of the magazine highlights our new Board of Governors and new members, as well as the results from our latest press freedom survey. Read now!

The Correspondent, April – June 2023

The April 2023 issue of the magazine drills down on the changes that technology has introduced to the practice of journalism, with features on innovative media sites like Bellingcat and The Wire China. There is also a new tech column, a salute to International Women’s Day and a farewell to Mark Erder, who is finally hanging up his cameras after three decades of stellar filming.

Members Movements: April 2023

New Members

Correspondent

Vicky Feng, Video Producer, Bloomberg
Robin Harding, Editor Correspondent, The Financial Times (Hong Kong) Limited Asia
Paul Tait, Senior Editor Correspondent, Agence France-Presse

Journalist

Lucy Jenkins, Wine and Spirits Director, Tasting Kitchen
Caleb Loong, Principal Reporter / Sub-editor, Now TV

Associates

Marc Baloch, CEO, Resonance Asia
Michael Bugel, Managing Director, Co-Head of APAC, Alternative Investment Management Association
Wenwen Chai, Senior Associate, Karas LLP
Paul Christopher, Managing Partner, Mourant Ozannes (Hong Kong) LLP
Timothy Davis, Senior Director of Security, Prudential
Charles Donohoe, Director, BlackRock
Francis Law, Executive Director, Toyo Mall Limited
Michael Lin, US Patent Attorney and Ohio Attorney, Marks & Clerk
Neville Metcalfe, Regional IT Director of Asia, Mayer Brown
Gareth Shaw, Captain, Jet Aviation Hong Kong
Minny Siu, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Syed Pervez Hussain, Chairman and Founder, Syed Group of Companies
Peter Szekely, Managing Partner, Tanarra Credit Partners
Angie Tse, Head of Development, Hong Kong Maritime Museum
Marco Warmelink, Partner, Actuarial Leader, APR, Oliver Wyman
David Watt, Senior Advisor, BentallGreenOak
Shirley Wong, Retired
Li Xiaobing, President of South China & Hong Kong, ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.
Robert Yang, Retired
Gary Yin, Partner, Simmons & Simmons

Diplomatic

Henry Chan, Honorary Consul, Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Namibia
Colin Crosby, Deputy Consul General, US Consulate General
Roxie Houge, Diplomat, US Consulate General
Klára Jurčová, Consul General, Consulate General of the Czech Republic
Lam Kwok Hing, Honorary Consul, Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Senegal
Matthew Lam, Honorary Consul, Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Estonia
Gregory May, Counsel General, US Consulate General
Raj Sitaldas Motwani, Honorary Consul, Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Lithuania

Absent

Correspondents

James Chambers, Bureau Chief, Monocle
Chiang Susie Su-Hui, Chairman, CS Culture Foundation
Zachary Coleman, Opinion Editor, Nikkei Asia
Chen Hangyu, Video Producer, Time Magazine
Mary Kavanagh, Freelance Journalist and Editor
Joyce Lau, Breaking News Editor, Washington Post
Mitya New, Director, Leading Organisations
Richard Newell, Managing Editor, IPE International Publishers

Journalist

Edward Chin Chi Kin, Freelance Journalist and Commentator, HKEJ
Rachel Duffell, Freelancer Editor
Daniel Kadison, Founder, NewsWhistle
Tang Yuk Shan, Business News Editor, Hong Kong Economic Journal
Yuen Kin Kwok, Freelancer

Associates

Brandon Chau, Barrister-at-law, Cheng Huan SC Chambers
Johnny Cheng, Retired
Maxwell Cooke, Chief Executive Officer, Lauren Richards
Anthony Dick, Director, Tea Concepts
Simon Dodd, Director, ABN AMRO Bank
Adam Enright, Senior Captain, Cathay Pacific Airways
Michael Fagan, General Counsel, PCCW
Terry Fok, Managing Director, T & F Equities
Robert Grieves, Chairman, Hamilton Advisors
Vanessa Hemavathi, Head of Investment Services, Privium Fund Management
Mary Ho, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Jon Zinke Keesal, Resident Partner, Young & Logan
Li Yan Lin, Physician, Queen Mary Hospital
Christopher Morley, Partner, Morley Chow Seto
Shirley Ng, Self-Employed
Andrew Paterson, Regional Head, Asia Pacific, ADEC Innovations
Jenny Pu, Consultant of Neurosurgery, Queen Mary Hospital
Gustav Ronnholm, Director, Finn-Flare
Vikram Singh, Managing Director, Air Logistics
Jonathan Sparks, Managing Director, Emerge 360
Su-Mei Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, Media Trust
Michael Tomordy, Technology & Risk Advisory, Engage Asia
Polly Yu, Director, Polly Yu Production

Reactivated

Correspondent

Gavin Greenwood, Freelance
Linda Jenkins, Freelance Writer

Associates

Eric Charrington, Retired
John Cook, Director, Consulting On Q
Pekka Heikari, Chief Executive Officer, Eurasia Supply Chain Management
Stephen Hire, Vice President of Marketing, Viavi Solutions
David Hodson, Hon. Fellow, The University of Hong Kong
Goran Kostic, Product Management, Swift SCRL Head of Integration
Philip Krichilsky, Chief Executive Officer, Innovative Directions
Jessica Law Pik Lin, Self-Employed
Ng Man Fong, Director, Another Factory
Michael Pitcher, Retired

Resigned

Correspondents

Jonathan Breen, Equities Editor, Global Capital Asia, Euromoney Institutional Investor
Roger Clark, Vice President & Bureau Chief, CNN
Philippe Massonnet, Regional Director, Agence France-Presse

Associates

Gabrielle Churchouse, Director, Portwood
Frank Proctor, Pacific Edition General Manager, Newsweek
Wong Yu Hon Johan, Managing Director, Wepro180

Corporate

Ella Lee Wai Man, Director, The University of Hong Kong
Leong Ka Chai, Director, Roctec Credit
Max Shen Zuojun, Vice-President & Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), The University of Hong Kong

Diplomatic

Warren Ke, Diplomat, US Consulate General

The question of European unity

European diplomats and experts break down the case for the European Union, and whether unity is truly a part of the continent’s future. Morgan M Davis sums up the debate at a club lunch last November.

The question of European unity, and the power of the European Union (EU), has been greatly debated following Britain’s precipitous exit in 2020. Now the purpose of the EU and its ability to maintain stability in Europe is again in question, as Ukraine fights for its existence.

“The EU is not a state… it is in-between,” says Stefan Auer, associate professor at the University of Hong Kong. “That in-betweenness has worked very well for decades. [But] in times of crisis, the EU has not worked well.”

Auer argues that the EU is not fit for purpose because no one knows what its purpose is, something that leads to cataclysmic results when lives are on the line, such as they are in Ukraine.

But others countered that the EU can offer compromise in the face of conflict.

“Of course the EU is not a nation state. There is no problem with that,” says Stefan Bredohl, deputy consul general for Germany’s Federal Foreign Office in Hong Kong.

“As I grew up and I followed political debates… I knew that all of this was difficult,” says Bredohl. But “we always have to figure out and make a compromise”.

Despite political conflicts, agreements have been reached, says Thomas Gnocchi, head of the EU office to Hong Kong and Macau. Gnocchi believes there has been a high degree of unity in the response to the Ukraine situation. “If there wasn’t unity or a sense of purpose, I don’t think we could have mobilised,” he says, referencing the EU’s support for Ukraine thus far.

Likewise, the EU’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, its first major health crisis, shows its adaptability. “This should be underlined when it comes to talking about if countries achieve more when they come together,” says Gnocchi.

But the EU is often criticised for its cumbersome bureaucracy, which drags out difficult decisions, and highlights the schisms that have long rankled Europeans.

“From where I stand, the EU has not delivered on its many promises, and that is a liability for democracy in Europe,” says Auer. What works well for the EU in times of peace hinders it when conflicts arise.

“The idea that you can accomplish peace through conversation is what led to the disaster that Ukrainians now suffer,” says Auer.

Part of the EU’s value is its ability to hand more power to small or medium-sized states that otherwise could fall by the wayside in international discussion. “We do not play a big part in international relations on a global scale, but as part of the EU we can and do play this role,” says Aleksander Dańda, consul general for the Republic of Poland in Hong Kong and Macau.

Dańda points out that the EU is strongly supported in Poland, citing a study from February 2022 that found 82 percent of Poles were in favour. He has faith in the EU’s ability to come together despite clear differences among member states.

Still, Dańda cautions that the EU must not patronise countries such as his, as there is no true union without central Europe or a voice for smaller nations. Polish resentment toward the EU could easily build “if we only have to sit and listen but are not listened to”, says Dańda.

For the time being, Ukraine and the EU’s approach to dealing with Russian aggression has outweighed most other concerns in the region. But other underlying problems are simmering, with the related energy crisis topping the list. How the EU responds to these problems, and whether it can hold its member states together, is still up for debate.

Rhapsody in Bert’s

Bert’s has hosted many a diverse gathering over the years, but one Saturday last November it was the venue for the first time for two training courses about mental health, led by the charity Mind Hong Kong, write Kuma Chow and Olivia Parker.

A survey by The Correspondent (see the October 2022 issue) found that journalists in Hong Kong are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD at significantly higher levels than the rest of the population. Members of the profession made up a large part of the 30-strong audience at these engaging sessions, with some of the personal stories highlighting just how prominent mental health issues are in many people’s lives.

“This is not just an occasional occurrence,” said Dr Hannah Sugarman, a clinical psychologist and a lead clinical advisor for Mind Hong Kong, who ran the English- language session.

It’s completely normal to hover at the “struggling” end of the mental health spectrum for short periods of time, she explained. “Having negative emotions makes you human, not defective.”

Common mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, however, are distinguishable from occasional low moods or jitters by the length and severity of symptoms. If you feel that you can’t get on with your life in the way you want to because of these symptoms, that’s when it’s worth seeking help, she said.

Henry Chan, training manager at Mind Hong Kong, who led the Cantonese-language session, said the long working hours and emphasis on perfectionism in some Asian cultures have contributed to stress levels among Hong Kong’s population. He suggested we try to get more in tune with the different stressors in our lives, which could have a combination of biological, social and psychological roots, and keep an eye on whether our chosen coping strategies are releasing stress or creating new problems.

Getting professional help is not always straightforward in Hong Kong, where shortages of public sector psychiatrists can mean waiting up to 94 weeks to get help. (The wait times for urgent cases are much shorter, Dr Sugarman noted.) Adding to the problem is a lack of awareness about mental health conditions and support, including among GPs, and the fact that mental health support is rarely covered by insurance policies. Other barriers are caused by language; and stigma about mental health conditions, which is still heavily felt in Hong Kong.

Help is available, however, said Dr Sugarman. Mind Hong Kong’s community directory, which lists more than 60 free to low-cost services provided by NGOs in Hong Kong, is a good place to start. And even if it’s the last thing you feel like doing, staying connected with anyone who you suspect might be struggling could help their mental health in very significant ways.

Mind Hong Kong’s training courses: mind.org.hk/training

Members Movements: January 2023

New Members

Journalist

Danai Howard, Digital Production Editor, South China Morning Post
Jarrod Watt, Specialist Digital Editor, South China Morning Post
Laura Westbrook, Correspondent, South China Morning Post

Associates

Geoffrey Blowers, Professor (Faculty of Social Sciences), UOW College Hong Kong
Chiang Hsin, Executive Director, Goldman Sachs (Asia)
Chiu Yeung, Executive Director, L&D Consultants Incorporation
David Chou Tse Young, Self-Employed
Derryl D’Silva, Head of Resource Management, Bank for International Settlements
Ernest Dodoo, Neurosurgeon, Hospital Authority
Simon Goddard, Global Deputy Head of Investigation, Prudential PLC
Sean Hung, Golf Professional, Pacific Pine Sports
Nichola Irwin, Doctor, Optimal Family Health
Vincent Li, Valuer, Colliers
Liu Ho Yuen, Senior Manager, Pricewaterhouse Cooper
Howard Liu, Risk Consulting Associate, The Risk Advisory Group
Martin Lo, Associate, Vivien Chan & Co
Jonathan Macey, hairman & Founder, Macey & Sons Auctioneers and Valuers
Thomas Macey, Partner, Cask Master
Fernando Rys, Director, Innoin
Nicholas Tam, Legal Manager, Ogier
Aldrich Victorino, Business Development Director, Dynasty Enterprise (Asia)

Diplomatic

Clay Adler, Diplomat, Consulate General of the United States of America
David Lie, HM Honorary Consul, The Honorary Consul of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Laurence Vandewalle, Deputy Head, European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao

Membership Replacements

Diplomatic

Sapphire Le Sage, Consul (Political & Communications), British Consulate General
Alastair Stewart McEachern, Diplomat, Australian Consulate-General Hong Kong
Christine Elizabeth Meyer, Diplomat, Consulate General of the United States of America
Timo Kantola, Consul General, Consulate General of Finland
Zhang Tao, Bank for International Settlements, Chief representative

Absent

Correspondents

Matthew Brooker, Columnist, Bloomberg
Elizabeth Anne Lucy Colback, Freelance
Jennifer Huang, Freelance
Jennifer Hughes, Asia Columnist, Thomson Reuters
Huh Dong Hyuck, Reporter, New Daily Korea
Tripti Lahiri, Asia Bureau Chief, Quartz Atlantic Media
Joseph Leahy, Asian News Editor, Financial Times
Natalie Koh Sui Li, Acting Managing Editor, Haymarket
Emiri Yamamoto, Head of Asia TV, Bloomberg

Journalist

Andrew Shuen Pak Man, Presenter, YouTube SPM Channel
Wong Yee Wai, Freelance

Associates

Carolyn Barwick, Retired
Daniel Chinoy, Self-employed
Ellen Coetzee, Wine Manager, Dairy Farm Company
Neil Donovan, Head of Department, Singapore International School
Jonathan Garner, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley Asia
Vijay Kumar Valiram Harjani, Retired
Ashley Howlett, General Counsel and Legal Director, Gammon Construction
Catherine Morris, Client Partner/Program Manager, Menrva Group
Ivy Ng Wing Yee, Director, DAKA Fine Wines
Leon Price, Chairman, Dragon Racing International
Jacinta Reddan, Chief Executive, Australian Chamber of Commerce
Kaushik Roy, SHEQ Manager, Mitsui OSK Lines
Divya Sahney, Founder, Hi Didi
Mona Shroff, Director, Mona Shroff Jewellery
William Stork, Contributing Editor, Yale International Alliance
Tsang Meiling, Economics Teacher and IA Coordinator, Dulwich International High School Suzhou John B Wilson, Director (Technical), SCB Management Consulting Services
Bruce Yung Pak Keung, Self-employed

Reactivated

Correspondent

Michael Duckworth, Publisher, Hong Kong University Press

Journalist

Enid Tsui, Arts Editor, South China Morning Post
Owen Fung Heung Wang, Reporter, TVB Pearl
Mark Graham, Proprietor, Mark Graham Associates

Associates

David Cain, Executive Managing Director, Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions
Maxwell Cooke, CEO, Lauren Richards HK
Philip Eisenbeiss, Partner, Executive Access
Antony E Keenan, Retired
Justin Li Chun Hin, Self-employed
Christopher Morley, Partner, Morley Chow Seto
Nigel Raymont, Coaching & Training Consultant, N Consulting
Brett Rohrsheim, Self-employed
Shalean Sen, Director, Mobius Advice
Michael Tomordy, Managing Director, Engage Asia
Alexander Williams, Chairman, Wogen Pacific

Resigned

Correspondents

Raymond Barrett, Editor-in-Chief Insurance, Asia News
Ryan Brooks, Senior Producer, Thomson Reuters
Richard Dowell, Asia Editor, Wall Street Journal
Paul Geitner, Editor, Bloomberg
Ravi Mattu, Deputy Asia News Editor, Financial Times
Filipe De Souza Azambuja Pacheco, Reporter, Bloomberg
Catherine Rice, TV News Journalist, Worldwide TV News
Matthieu Jean Joseph Verrier, Journalist, Urban Utopia (France)
Thomas Walker, Freelance

Associates

Alberto Aliverti, Director, Sailetto China
Colin Bennett, Managing Director, Kaplink
John Berry, Business Development Director, Asia Plantation Capital
Audrey Campbell-Moffat, Judge, Court of First Instance
Jay Chen, Director, Golden Holdings
Catherine Cheung Ka Yin, Chief Operating Officer, Tybourne Capital Management
Peter Goulston, Vice President, Fox-Pitt Kelton
Charles Scheyd, CEO, FJS Consultants

Category Changes

Associate to Silver Associate

Connie Leung Bolland, Chief Economist, Economic Research Analysis

Correspondent to Associate

Michael Duckworth, Publisher, Hong Kong University Press

The Correspondent, January – March 2023

The January 2023 issue of the magazine leads with a wide-ranging report on Hong Kong’s environmental state of health, backed up by a dispatch from one of Cambodia’s foremost correspondents, interviews with the trio of new Clare Hollingworth Fellows, and a clutch of book reviews that encompass the pitfalls of the Joint Declaration and the tale of a (fictional) swashbuckling Gurkha officer.

The Correspondent, October – December 2022

The October issue of the magazine will lead with the results of an exclusive survey into Hong Kong journalists’ mental health.