Media

HKU appoints Mr Steven J. Cannon as new Executive Vice-President (Administration and Finance)

28 May 2013

 

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) announced today (May 28) the appointment of Mr Steven J. Cannon as its Executive Vice-President (Administration and Finance) (EVP) for a term of five years.  Mr Cannon will assume office as soon as possible.

The new EVP post has been established in order to enable the University to maximise the opportunities and manage the challenges ahead.  The appointment was made by the Council in its meeting today, upon the recommendation of a seven-member search committee comprising Council, management, faculty, staff and student members and subsequent to a global open recruitment exercise.

Mr Cannon will act as the University’s principal officer to provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight for a portfolio that encompasses the management of fiscal affairs, as well as the direction and co-ordination of administrative operations inclusive of budget and finance management, human resources management for non-academic staff, facilities management, healthcare and safety management, and information technology services.

Mr Cannon is currently Secretary to the University and Director of Operations at the University of Aberdeen. He is responsible for the management of all support services, and was a core member overseeing changes, transformation and restructuring under the leadership of the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, Sir Duncan Rice.  He is looking forward to serving in a new capacity with HKU.

“I have held a deep and long standing admiration for the University of Hong Kong, for its staff, students and its achievements for many years. I consider it to be a great honour to be associated with the Institution in a more permanent capacity and am excited about the prospect of working with new colleagues, establishing new friendships and being part of the extraordinary success story of HKU as it enters its second century," Mr Cannon said.

HKU Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui welcomed Mr Cannon to his Senior Management Team.

“With his substantial professional experience in innovating and improving university operations, I’m confident that Mr Cannon will be able to bring new ideas and good practices to the University, and lead and co-ordinate its support services so as to enhance the University’s capability to excel, even in the ever-changing and increasingly competitive local and international environments,” Professor Tsui said.

Prior to joining the University of Aberdeen, Mr Cannon had worked at the University of Warwick, the University of Dundee and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council.

For media enquiries, please contact Communications and Public Affairs Office: Assistant Director (Media) Ms Trinni Choy, tel: 2859 2606 email: pychoy@hku.hk, or Senior Manager (Media) Ms Melanie Wan, tel: 2859 2600 email: melwkwan@hku.hk.