Julia Leung has been serving as the deputy CEO of the Securities and Futures Commission since March 2018. (PHOTO / SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION)

HONG KONG – Julia Leung has been appointed the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong for a three-year term from Jan 1 next year.

She will succeed Ashley Alder upon his departure.

A selection panel, chaired by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, made the recommendation to the chief executive on the appointment following a global recruitment exercise

A selection panel, chaired by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, made the recommendation to the chief executive on the appointment following a global recruitment exercise. 

“We have every confidence in Ms Leung's leadership of the SFC and promotion of the regulation and development of Hong Kong's securities and futures markets," the financial secretary said announcing the appointment on Thursday. 

Leung served as the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury from August 2008 to December 2013 after working with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority from 1994 to 2008, according to a government news release.

She joined the SFC in March 2015, appointed as Executive Director of the Investment Products Division and then the Intermediaries Division of the markets watchdog. In March 2018, she was appointed as the Deputy CEO in addition to the Executive Director position for assisting the CEO on Commission-wide policy issues, longer-term strategic direction setting, international engagement and key organizational development.

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"Ms Leung has profound knowledge of and extensive experience in the operation and regulation of the securities and futures markets in Hong Kong and the operation of the SFC, deep understanding of the financial markets in the mainland and overseas, good standing in financial arenas, and the vision for enhancing Hong Kong as an international financial center,” Chan added.