Corporate News

International vision essential to Hong Kong's brand building, says Club CEO

9 November 2007

 

To create a successful brand, one first has to have a vision, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges told guests at a "Brand Hong Kong 2007" seminar last night (8 November), recalling that it was the vision of the Club - namely to make Hong Kong a world leader in turf racing, with the world's best horses and horsemen - that first enticed him to come and work in the city nearly 10 years ago.

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges was giving his views as one of five panellists from different walks of Hong Kong life at the seminar organised by the American Chamber of Commerce under the theme of "Shifting Gears for the Next 10 Years".

Hong Kong had a long list of advantages that made it an ideal place to invest in and prosper, he said, especially its "can do" spirit, and there was no doubt that it was a world-class city.  "But 10 years after the return of sovereignty, I feel that Hong Kong is still trying to find its identity under the new political, social and global environment - it's not sure whether it want to be more of a Chinese city or more of an international city.  To me, it should have the vision to be the most international city in China."

There was a lot of common ground in the Club's vision to be a world leader in sporting and betting entertainment and Hong Kong's ambitions as a world city, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said, for example the need to bring in the very best talent from around the world which had been a hallmark of the Club's policy in the past 10 years.  "As well as reaching out to the world's market with our products, we also try to be a proactive member of the community and set examples for world's best practices, which I think is very important," he said.

"For example, on the Central Police Station project, we believe that this is an issue that matters a lot to Hong Kong people and we wanted to take some leadership." Mr Engelbrecht Bresges said.  "It is also our vision to help Hong Kong stage the best-ever Olympic equestrian events next year, as this will bring Hong Kong credit and brand value all over the world well beyond 2008."


Photo 1:
Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges shares his vision of Hong Kong brand-building at Amcham's "Brand HK 2007" seminar last night.



Photo 2:
Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges joins other panellists to address audience questions on Hong Kong's future role.



Photo 3:
(From left to right) Mr Jack Maisano, AmCham President, Mr Zoher Abdoolcarim, Moderator, Mr Winston Chu, Founder, Society for Protection of the Harbour, Mr Jamshed Safdar, Communications & Marketing Committee Chair of Amcham, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms Tisa Ho, Executive Director, Hong Kong Arts Festival, Mr James Riley, Group Finance Director, Jardine Matheson Holdings, Mr David Tang, Founder, Shanghai Tang and Mr Jon Zinke, AmCham Past Chairman, pose for a group photo after the seminar.


 

 

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