HKCGI Sustainability Governance Academy Breaks New Ground with Hybrid Annual Update

In just one year, the Academy has established itself as the region's premier platform for advancing ESG excellence, setting new standards for sustainability leadership and professional development.

HONG KONG, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute (HKCGI) is proud to announce the first anniversary of its Sustainability Governance Academy (the Academy), marked by the highly anticipated Annual Update and Cocktail on 29 July 2025 at the HKEX Connect Hall.

Launched in July 2024, the Academy is the first sustainability governance platform of its kind in Hong Kong. It supports over 700 Sustainability Professionals, empowering them with resources to drive ESG leadership locally and beyond.

"From day one, we set out to build a platform where Sustainability Professionals could connect and share knowledge, ensuring they remain at the forefront of both their fields and their organisations' sustainable journeys," stated Mr David Simmonds FCG HKFCG, President of HKCGI and Chief Strategy, Sustainability and Governance Officer at CLP Holdings Limited. "Our rapidly growing community and the calibre of thought leaders we attract are a testament to the Academy's influence."

This year's Annual Update will bring together an exceptional line-up of industry leaders, regulators, and global experts, offering insights from regulatory, corporate, financial, and scientific perspectives.

Speakers and topics include:

• Mr David Simmonds FCG HKFCG, Institute President, Chief Strategy, Sustainability and Governance Officer, CLP Holdings Limited:
  Sustainability Governance Academy Update
  
  
• Ms Kelly Lee, Senior Vice President, Listing Division, HKEX:
  Outlook on Sustainability Reporting in Hong Kong
  
  
• Ms Gill Meller FCG HKFCG(PE), International Vice President and Institute Past President; Legal and Governance Director, MTR Corporation Limited:
  ESG Reporting – Beyond Climate
  
  
• Mr Ernest Lee FCG HKFCG(PE), Institute Past President; Technical Partner, Deloitte China:
  Are you ready for HKFRS S1 and S2?
  
  
• Ms Pru Bennet, Partner, Brunswick Group:
  What Investors are Looking For?
  
  
• Mr Wen Xu, Co-founder of Polar Hub; Chair of the Polar Science Expedition Professional Committee, Chinese Association for Scientific Expedition:
  Glacier Protection and Climate Action

Special guest Mr Wen Xu, a glaciologist and the first Chinese explorer to complete a solo trek to the South Pole, will deliver a presentation on the urgent realities of climate change. "Standing alone on Antarctica's ice, I felt the planet's fragility firsthand," said Xu. "The stark changes I witnessed are a global wake-up call—protecting our world requires urgent, collective action. The Academy brings together leaders who are not only talking about change, but actively driving it."

HKCGI invites all Sustainability Professionals and ESG Reporting Certification Holders to an evening of insight, celebration, and networking. Join us in person at HKEX Connect Hall or online via livestream. All participants can take part in Q&A sessions, while in-person guests will also enjoy a cocktail reception with Hong Kong's sustainability governance community.

Register to attend in-person | Register to attend online

Learn more about HKCGI's Sustainability Governance Academy.

For Media Inquiries:

HKCGI Marketing Department
+852 2881 6177
[email protected]

About The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute

(Incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability by guarantee)

The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute (HKCGI) is the sole accrediting body in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland for the globally recognised Chartered Secretary and Chartered Governance Professional qualifications. Formerly known as The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries (HKICS), HKCGI is the Hong Kong/China Division of The Chartered Governance Institute (CGI).

With a legacy of over 76 years, HKCGI has established itself as a trusted and reputable professional body in the region. Its influence extends to CGI's global network of around 40,000 members and students, making it one of its fastest-growing divisions. HKCGI's community comprises about 10,000 members, graduates, and students, with significant representation in listed companies and diverse governance roles across various industries.

Guided by the belief that governance leads to better decision-making and a better world, HKCGI is committed to advancing governance in commerce, industry, and public affairs. It achieves this through education, thought leadership, advocacy, and active engagement with its members and the broader community. As a recognised thought leader, HKCGI promotes the highest standards of governance while advocating for an inclusive approach that considers the interests of all stakeholders, and ensures that every voice is heard and valued.

Better Governance. Better Future.

For more information, please visit www.hkcgi.org.hk.

SOURCE The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute