HONG KONG Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) chief executive Carrie Lam approved May 19 the reappointment of Laura Cha as chairman of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) with immediate effect.

The approval was made under the Securities and Futures Ordinance. The HKSAR government said it is confident that with Cha's leadership, HKEX will strive to further enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness, and strengthen its position as the premier fund raising and risk management platform in the region.

Cha's chairmanship will coincide with her term of appointment as a member of the board of directors of HKEX, which will conclude at the end of the 2022 annual general meeting.

Cha was elected as chairman of HKEX by the directors at the May 7 board meeting.

The list of positions that Cha holds with HKEX include that of chairman of the Board Executive Committee, Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, Nomination and Governance Committee, Risk Management Committee (statutory) and International Advisory Council. She is also a member of the Remuneration Committee and Risk Committee.

Cha is also chairman of the Listing Appeals Committee and a member of the Listing Nominating Committee of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

The list of other positions held with HKEX group includes that of independent non-executive director and member of Nomination Committee of the London Metal Exchange, and that of independent non-executive director at LME Holdings Limited.

Other major offices Cha holds include those of chairman (2019~) and independent non-executive director (2004~) at the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, as well as a director (2018~) of World Federation of Exchanges. She is also non-executive director (2013~) at Unilever.

Cha has been independent non-executive director (2011~) at HSBC Holdings plc.