Mr William Leung Wing-cheung, an experienced banker and CEO, is well known for his ability to solve problems with innovative ideas and to lead with strategic vision while having a successful career in Hong Kong’s financial sector. His reputation encompasses his modus operandi, which includes astute leadership and management skills, strong business ethics and empathetic care for staff and customers alike.

Mr Leung first became associated with the performing arts sector when appointed to the board of the Hong Kong Dance Company (HKDC) in 2001 after the Company’s control was relinquished by the then Urban Council. During his tenure, he served consecutively as Treasurer, Vice Chairman; and from 2005 to 2009 as Board Chairman. One of the first problems he had to deal with, as Board Chairman, was to increase the attendance at HKDC’s dance productions. Mr Leung’s strategy was to present more dance works based on well-known novels and legends, which led to the adaptation of Jin Yong’s masterpiece, The Smiling and Proud Wanderer into a dance drama. This approach was successful in substantially boosting attendances and bore fruit in future productions such as The Legends of Mulan and Storm Clouds, which reflected Mr Leung’s original idea and influence respectively.

Concurrent with Mr Leung’s Chairmanship of the HKDC, he was appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Academy Council in 2007. During Mr Leung’s tenure as Council Chairman of the Academy from 2010 to 2016, he suggested that as part of the curriculum reform in preparation for a fourth university year, subjects such as pedagogy, proposal writing skills and cash flow management should be added. These proposed subjects were intended to equip students with additional skills to contribute to the performing arts sector while awaiting their own careers to flourish. During his tenure as Council Chairman, the School of Chinese Opera became the sixth degree-conferring school of the Academy, giving this traditional art form a more comprehensive and rigorous structure, so that graduates in this discipline would have the same opportunities as those from the other five Schools. In terms of the future development of the Academy, he suggested that the Academy should develop sustainable competitive edges within the matrix of its unique institutional structure, whereby it housed six schools under one roof and was immersed in Hong Kong’s cultural mix of eastern and western culture.

Besides Mr Leung’s strong attachment to the performing arts sector, he is also active in many public and community services. He is currently Chairman of the Estate Agents Authority, the Employees Retraining Board, the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre, the Hong Kong Baptist University Foundation Alumni Committee and the HKU SPACE Foundation Committee, and Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Heart Foundation. He was previously Treasurer of the Hong Kong Baptist University Council from 2007 to 2012.

Today’s recognition of Mr Leung’s public service follows the conferral of Honorary Fellowships by Hong Kong Baptist University and the Vocational Training Council. In addition, the Hong Kong SAR Government appointed him Justice of the Peace in 2005 and honoured him with a Bronze Bauhinia Star and a Silver Bauhinia Star in 2009 and 2016 respectively.