Director of Food & Environmental Hygiene Vivian Lau will take up the post of Permanent Secretary for Food & Health (Food) on February 23, the Government announced today.

She will succeed Philip Yung Wai-hung, who will take up the chairmanship of the Administrative Officer Recruitment Board before commencing his pre-retirement leave in May.

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip said Miss Lau is a seasoned Administrative Officer with proven leadership and management skills, adding he is confident that she will serve the community with professionalism in her new capacity.

Mr Nip praised Mr Yung for rendering 37 years of loyal and dedicated service to the community of Hong Kong, revealing that during his tenure as Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), he made zealous efforts in helping to formulate and implement policies on agriculture, fisheries, food safety, animal health, animal welfare and environmental hygiene.

He added that Mr Yung has made great contributions in handling major food incidents and safeguarding environmental hygiene, noting that he demonstrated exemplary leadership in overseeing matters related to quarantine, including the designated hotel scheme during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Mr Nip wished Mr Yung a fulfilling and happy retirement.

Click here for their biographies.