Appointment of Executive Director of Legal and Compliance of The Hong Kong Jockey Club

04/02/2015

The Hong Kong Jockey Club today (2 April) announced the appointment of Ms Philana Poon to the position of Executive Director, Legal and Compliance with effect from 1 June 2015.  Ms Poon will also be named the Company Secretary of the Club on the same date.

In her new capacity, Ms Poon will oversee the function that brings the Club’s legal and compliance activities together.  On the legal front, she will be responsible for safeguarding the Club’s interest and managing the Club’s legal risks while on compliance, she will lead the development of the Club’s compliance framework as well as its implementation and maintenance. 

As the Club’s Executive Director of Legal and Compliance, Ms Poon will bring in her business and commercial acumen in working with respective division to ensure the operations and activities of the Club and its subsidiaries are conducted in accordance with the law, both in Hong Kong and other jurisdictions, and to help protect the Club’s rights, brand and reputation.

Ms Poon has over 20 years of post-qualification experience both in in-house and private practice. Prior to joining the Club, she was the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary of the HKT Trust and HKT Limited and the Group Company Secretary of PCCW Limited. Prior to joining PCCW-HKT, She worked for Baker & McKenzie and Lovells (previously Lovell White Durrant).
Ms Poon earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto and a Doctor of Law degree from Cornell University.  In 2014, she was named by Asian Legal Business as Hong Kong’s In-House Lawyer of The Year.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2013/14, its donations reached a record $3.6 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,275 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$19.58 billion in 2013/14. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,800 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong. Please visit 130.hkjc.com.