Mr Eddie Yue was appointed Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) from 1 October 2019. He began his career as an Administrative Officer in the Hong Kong Government in 1986. He joined the HKMA upon its establishment in 1993 and was promoted to Division Head a year later. He was appointed Executive Director in 2001 and subsequently Deputy Chief Executive in 2007 before taking up his current position.
Mr Yue has participated in numerous areas of the HKMA’s work. During his tenure as Deputy Chief Executive, he steered major policies and initiatives relating to reserves management, research, external affairs and market development. Mr Yue was also actively involved in tackling major financial crises and played an instrumental role in enhancing the Linked Exchange Rate System.
Mr Yue was educated at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Harvard Business School.
Described as “an icon in the industry”, Teresa is one of the most prominent corporate and securities lawyers in Hong Kong. She is the founding partner of Freshfields’ Asia equity capital markets practice and has helped numerous Chinese state-owned, privately-owned and international companies to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE), including advising on eight out of the ten largest IPOs in Hong Kong. She also has an impressive record on public and private M&A transactions and advises on joint ventures and corporate governance matters. Among her many public service appointments, Teresa currently serves as vice-chair of the IFRS Foundation Trustees and as chair of its Due Process Oversight Committee. She was also a member of the Trustee Sustainability Steering Committee which oversaw the establishment of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). She was the first female to chair the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s Listing Committee between 2009 and 2011 and was deputy chair for three years before then. She currently serves as co-chair of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s Listing Review Committee and a deputy chair of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC)’s Takeovers and Mergers Panel. She also served as a non-executive director of the SFC in 2012 to 2018. Amongst her many accolades, Teresa was recently recognised as a HERoes Executive Role Model in 2023 for the sixth consecutive year and ranked fifth place in 2023’s list of 100 role models. She was also named in IFLR1000 Women Leaders 2022 - an elite ranking for the most prominent women lawyers globally and in Forbes’ ‘Asia's Power Businesswomen’ list 2021.
Ian Johnston was appointed Chief Executive of the DFSA in 2022, a position he previously held from 2012 to 2018.
From 2018 until his reappointment, Mr Johnston provided advice and consultancy to a number of regulatory bodies across the Middle East, Europe and Asia, including on projects funded by the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Originally a lawyer, Mr Johnston held a number of senior positions within the financial sector, including as CEO of one of Australia’s major trustee companies. In 1999, Mr Johnston moved into regulation joining the Australian Securities and Investments Commission as Executive Director, Financial Services Regulation, and spent several terms as an Acting Commissioner. He served as a Special Advisor with the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission from 2005.
Mr Johnston’s impact extends globally as he chaired the Joint Forum, which comprised representatives of major international regulatory standard-setters such as the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), and the Basel Committee.
Currently, Mr Johnston serves as Vice Chair of the IOSCO’s Africa and Middle East Regional Committee and as an IOSCO Board member. His wealth of experience and commitment to regulatory excellence positions him as a distinguished figure in the global financial landscape.
Mr Johnston is a Board member of two non-profit organisations, the Fred Hollows Foundation (HK) and Opera Scholars Australia.
Mr Eddie Yue was appointed Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) from 1 October 2019. He began his career as an Administrative Officer in the Hong Kong Government in 1986. He joined the HKMA upon its establishment in 1993 and was promoted to Division Head a year later. He was appointed Executive Director in 2001 and subsequently Deputy Chief Executive in 2007 before taking up his current position.
Mr Yue has participated in numerous areas of the HKMA’s work. During his tenure as Deputy Chief Executive, he steered major policies and initiatives relating to reserves management, research, external affairs and market development. Mr Yue was also actively involved in tackling major financial crises and played an instrumental role in enhancing the Linked Exchange Rate System.
Mr Yue was educated at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Harvard Business School.
Based in Seoul, Ali Izadi manages BloombergNEF's activities across Asia Pacific, focusing on the transition of the region's economies to a cleaner more competitive future. Prior to his current role, Ali managed BloombergNEF’s Intelligent Mobility team as well as Japan and Korea Research team. Prior to joining BloombergNEF in 2010, Ali had worked at Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, as well as fuel cell manufacturer, Ballard Power Systems. Ali has an undergraduate degree in Engineering Physics and a Masters in Electrical Engineering from the University of British Columbia, and a Doctorate in Materials Science from Meijo University.
Vijay is the Group Head of ESG and Chief Sustainability Officer for Emirates NBD Group, where he leads the sustainability strategy and its implementation across the organization. He is responsible for the Sustainable and Transition Finance Strategy & Implementation, as well as overseeing the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programs for the Group. With 20 years of experience in sustainability within the banking sector, Vijay has previously worked with the European Bank of Reconstruction & Development, Lloyds Banking Group, and in consulting roles for KPMG UK in Sustainable Finance & ESG Strategy. His expertise includes designing sustainable finance frameworks, conducting due diligence, and managing sustainability risk. Vijay is an active member of several prominent councils, including the UAE Banking Federation Sustainability Leadership Council, DIFC Sustainable Finance Council, ADGM Sustainable Finance Leadership Council, World Economic Forum (WEF) of Sustainability Leaders, and S&P Sustainability Leadership Council. Additionally, he is a Chartered Environmental Scientist and a Member of the Royal Geographical Society.
Kim-See LIM is Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific at the International Finance Corporation. Ms. Lim, is a global investment professional who has been responsible for originating, executing, and managing multibillion-dollar equity and debt portfolios in emerging markets across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. With a career spanning more than 26 years, Ms. Lim has held senior leadership positions as well as corporate board positions at private companies in emerging markets. She has successfully led multi-cultural teams to execute investment strategies across the consumer services, infrastructure, and financial sectors. As Regional Director, Ms. Lim oversees the formulation and implementation of IFC’s investment strategy and advisory business in East Asia and the Pacific. IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has a US$13 billion portfolio in region. Ms. Lim is passionate about climate change, inclusive growth, and innovation. She is based in Hong Kong and is fluent in English, Cantonese, and Bahasa. Ms. Lim has an MBA from University of Maryland, USA and undergraduate degree in Economics and Finance from Flinders University, South Australia, Australia.
Based in Dubai, Sabrin is a seasoned leader with significant expertise in sustainability and strategic partnerships, currently serving as the Managing Director - Head of Sustainability for the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey at HSBC. With a distinguished career spanning leadership roles in one of the world's largest financial institutions, Sabrin has consistently driven her regions to market leadership through innovative product development, strategic advisory services, and thought leadership. Her tenure at HSBC has been marked by numerous accolades, including HSBC being named the Middle East's Best Bank for Sustainable Finance by Euromoney for several consecutive years.
Sabrin's role as the Director of Partnerships for COP28UAE further underscores her ability to operate at the highest levels of global governance, where she was instrumental in shaping and delivering the Presidency Action Agenda. Her contributions supported achieving the UAE Consensus, which laid out the ambitious political and economic actions required to maintain the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
Academically, Sabrin holds a Master's in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge and a Master's in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Sydney, specializing in the intersection of peace and business.
She is also a certified UK Chartered Banker in Green and Sustainable Finance. Recognized for her contributions, Sabrin has been honored as one of Australia's Brightest Young Minds, received the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from Macquarie University, and was nominated for Young Australian of the Year in 2015. She is a member of YPO Dubai and contributes to the Sustainable Finance course at the University of Cambridge.
Emily Woodland is BlackRock's APAC Head of Sustainable and Transition Solutions ("STS").
STS is BlackRock's central sustainability function that leads our firmwide sustainability and transition strategy, drives cross-functional change, supports client engagements, improves product ideation, and embeds sustainability expertise across the firm.
Emily previously served as the Head of Sustainable Investment for Global Public Markets at AMP Capital, and prior to that as Investment Advisor for Asia Debt Management's private credit sustainable investment programs in South East Asia.
Her subject matter expertise in sustainability is grounded in over 16 years of APAC investment management experience with UBS, across asset classes and investment styles. She began her career in equity and convertible bond trading for UBS Investment Bank, then served as a portfolio manager with the firm's Fundamental Investment Group, and later as a portfolio manager in the long/short multi-strategy hedge fund team within UBS Asset Management.
Emily holds a Bachelor's Degree in Financial & Business Economics from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a Masters Degree in Corporate Environmental Governance from the University of Hong Kong, and is a CFA Charterholder.
Ricco Zhang is Senior Director, Asia Pacific of the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) based in Hong Kong. Mr. Zhang is responsible for ICMA’s development in Greater China and works very closely with regulators, financial institutions and other organizations who are active at the capital markets in the region to promote and maintain the best market practice. He has previously worked for international law firms, investment banks and other financial institutions engaged in capital market transactions and mergers & acquisitions in Asia and has extensive experience as a market practitioner. Mr. Zhang graduated from the Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong.
Prof. Christine Loh, SBS, JP, OBE, is the Chief Development Strategist at the Institute for the Environment, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Previously, she held the positions of Special Consultant to the Office of the Chief Executive of the HKSAR Government on the ecological civilization aspects of the Greater Bay Area Outline Development Plan (2019-2020); and Under Secretary for the Environment in the HKSAR Government (2012-2017). She was the CEO of Civic Exchange, an independent non-profit public policy think tank (2000-2012). Before that, Prof. Loh served as a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, first appointed in 1992 and later elected in 1995 and 1998. Earlier, she spent 14 years in the private commercial sector in commodities trading.
Currently, she is a Director of New Forests Pty Limited, Towngas Smart Energy Company Limited, CDP Worldwide, and Global Maritime Forum. She is also a founding Advisor to Hong Kong Green Finance Association.
Raghu Narain brings over 20 years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance and economic policy advisory.
Currently, Mr. Narain is Head of Investment Banking for Natixis, APAC with the responsibility to deliver M&A, Acquisition Financing, Strategic Equity, and DCM solutions. Prior to Natixis, Mr. Narain was the Head of Sector Advisory and Global Industrials Group in RBS Asia.
In his career, he has undertaken over 100 transactions by financing and advising US$100+ billion in completed deals for global companies. He has advised major global entities including Eurazeo, Sanyuan, Tsinghua, Continental Airlines, Fosun, GVK, Lafarge, MISC, MGM, Reliance, Shanghai Electric, Vedanta and UPS.
Prior to working in Asia, Mr. Narain was at Bank of America in New York where he was a Director responsible for M&A and capital raising activities for the Global Transportation and Logistics Group. He began his investment banking career with Salomon Smith Barney / Citigroup in New York.
Mr. Narain has also worked at Bridgewater Associates as an Investment Associate and in the field of development finance at the Harvard Institute for International Development (HIID). He completed his Masters degree from Harvard University. He holds MPA, MBA and BA degrees from the United States. He is a member of the International Honor Society of Beta Gamma Sigma.
Mr. Narain has often been highlighted in leading industry media CNBC Squawk Box, Institutional Investors, The Asset, IFR, Marine Money, Drillers and Dealers Digest and The Daily Deal for his achievements in the field of financial services.
Bénédicte is the Head of the BIS Innovation Hub, Hong Kong Centre. Prior to this appointment, she was a managing director at SC Ventures, the innovation arm of Standard Chartered Bank that leads a series of new ventures across digital banking, banking as a service, SME finance and blockchain. From 2018-2019, she was the Vice President of International Government Relations at Circle, involved in the evolution of blockchain and digital assets. From 2012-2018, she was the Head of Risk & Strategy of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), and in that capacity also acting as the Vice Chair of the Committee on Emerging Risks and the Fintech research lead for the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). From 2007-2012, she was a managing director at Credit Suisse and before that from 1997-2007 she was an associate and executive director at Goldman Sachs. Originally from Belgium, she holds LL.M. and M.B.A. degrees from the University of Chicago and the University of Leuven. She is admitted to the New York Bar since 1999. In 2016, she was a recipient of the China Daily Asian Women Leadership Awards for her efforts related to entrepreneurship, innovation and charity.
Ian Johnston was appointed Chief Executive of the DFSA in 2022, a position he previously held from 2012 to 2018.
From 2018 until his reappointment, Mr Johnston provided advice and consultancy to a number of regulatory bodies across the Middle East, Europe and Asia, including on projects funded by the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Originally a lawyer, Mr Johnston held a number of senior positions within the financial sector, including as CEO of one of Australia’s major trustee companies. In 1999, Mr Johnston moved into regulation joining the Australian Securities and Investments Commission as Executive Director, Financial Services Regulation, and spent several terms as an Acting Commissioner. He served as a Special Advisor with the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission from 2005.
Mr Johnston’s impact extends globally as he chaired the Joint Forum, which comprised representatives of major international regulatory standard-setters such as the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), and the Basel Committee.
Currently, Mr Johnston serves as Vice Chair of the IOSCO’s Africa and Middle East Regional Committee and as an IOSCO Board member. His wealth of experience and commitment to regulatory excellence positions him as a distinguished figure in the global financial landscape.
Mr Johnston is a Board member of two non-profit organisations, the Fred Hollows Foundation (HK) and Opera Scholars Australia.
