MTR Corporation has appointed Mr Lincoln Leong as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 16 March 2015 for a term of three years.

Mr Leong will be responsible for the corporation's overall performance in and outside Hong Kong. He will become a member of the Board on the same day.

Aged 54, Mr Leong obtained a Bachelor of Arts (subsequently a Master of Arts) from the University of Cambridge in 1982 and qualified as a chartered accountant in England in 1985 and Canada in 1986.

Mr Leong joined MTR in February 2002 as Finance Director, at which time he also became a member of the Executive Directorate. In May 2008, his scope was expanded to cover China and International Business, and his position was re-titled as Finance & Business Development Director. In July 2012, he became Deputy Chief Executive Officer to take primary responsibility in realising the MTR's growth strategy in the Mainland of China and overseas and head various strategic initiatives. Since 16 August 2014, Mr Leong has been leading the corporation in the capacity of Acting Chief Executive Officer.

Prior to joining the Corporation, Mr Leong gained extensive management experience in the accountancy and investment banking industries in London, Vancouver and Hong Kong.

Mr Leong actively supports the Hong Kong community and is currently Chairman of the Quality Assurance Council, a semi-autonomous body under the University Grants Committee, Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Housing Society, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Community Chest of Hong Kong.

Dr Raymond K F Ch'ien, Chairman of MTR Corporation, stated:

"Having been a key member of the MTR Executive Directorate since 2002, Lincoln has good appreciation of the Corporation's strengths and areas where it can become better. He also has the skill to steer MTR to achieve its strategic objectives. As Acting Chief Executive Officer since August of last year, Lincoln has led the company through a number of important milestones, including the opening of the Island Line Extension to Western District last December."

"Lincoln, being MTR's first home grown CEO, takes on this important role at a critical and challenging time for the Corporation. However, with his wealth of management experience gained from both in and outside the Corporation, the Board is confident he will be able to lead the Corporation to achieve greater success."

In accepting the appointment, Mr Leong said,

"I would like to thank the Board for placing its trust and confidence in me. It has been an honour to work with the fine team at the MTR and I thank my colleagues for their ongoing support. Looking ahead, we will be focused on how we can further enhance the high-quality service that MTR is recognised for internationally so that we can deliver what matters most to our customers. Another priority will be to overcome the complex challenges of the rail projects we are building in Hong Kong to bring the convenience of rail travel to passengers in even more corners of our city as soon as possible."