NEC appoints Development Bureau’s Ricky Lau to chair NEC Asia Pacific Users’ Group

Ricky Lau Chun-kit, the newly appointed permanent secretary for development (works) at the Hong Kong government’s Development Bureau, has become the new chair of the NEC Asia Pacific Users’ Group (APUG). He succeeds SH Lam in both roles following Lam’s retirement in October.

Lau was formerly director of Hong Kong’s Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), a major user of NEC contracts. Current CEDD schemes include the HK$12 billion (£1.1 billion) Tung Chung New Town Extension reclamation and advance works, the largest NEC contract awarded in Hong Kong to date.

On becoming chair of the NEC Asia Pacific Users’ Group, Lau said, ‘I am honoured to take on this important role. NEC has become a pivotal tool for delivery of infrastructure projects in Hong Kong and we will keep our momentum to implant a collaborative culture across the entire industry to meet challenges ahead.’

NEC global head Rekha Thawrani said, ‘I am delighted Ricky Lau has taken over the role of NEC Asia Pacific Users’ Group chair. It further strengthens our collaborative relationship with the Hong Kong Development Bureau, which over the past 12 years has overseen the successful procurement of more than HK$160 billion (£16 billion) of government works contracts using NEC.

‘We are very grateful to SH Lam for his dedication and commitment to chairing the NEC Asia Pacific Users’ Group over the past three years, and we wish him a long and happy retirement.'