​The Government announced today (March 1) the appointment of Mr Jack Chan Jick-chi as the new Ombudsman for a term of five years commencing April 1, 2024. The appointment is made by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, in accordance with The Ombudsman Ordinance (Cap 397).
Mr Chan is a seasoned and experienced former senior government official, who had served the Government for nearly 40 years. He served as a directorate officer in various bureaux and departments including the former Civil Service Branch; the former Security Branch; the University Grants Committee; the former Works Branch; the former Environment, Transport and Works Bureau; the Development Bureau; the former Home Affairs Bureau; and the Home Affairs Department. Mr Chan was appointed as the Under Secretary for Home Affairs in the fifth term of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and had served as the Acting Secretary for Home Affairs from January 24 to June 30, 2022.
Mr Lee said, "I am confident that with Mr Chan's excellent leadership, decisiveness and rich experience in public administration, he will lead the Office of The Ombudsman to continue carrying out its statutory functions and ensuring efficiency in the public administration of Hong Kong."
The term of office of the incumbent Ombudsman, Ms Winnie Chiu, will expire on March 31, 2024. Mr Lee said, "Ms Chiu led the Office of The Ombudsman during her tenure with the mission of enhancing the quality and level of Hong Kong's public administration. I wish Ms Chiu a happy life ahead."
An open recruitment exercise was conducted earlier to select the new Ombudsman, and a selection board was appointed to assess the candidates and make recommendation to the Chief Executive. The selection board was chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, with Mr Chan Kin-por, Mr Frank Chan Fan and the Director of Administration as members.
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