The third interview in our Giving Back series is with Gill Meller FCG HKFCG(PE), International Vice President and Institute Past President, and Legal and Governance Director, MTR Corporation Ltd.

How and when did you first get involved with the Institute? And what was your professional position at that time?

‘I became the MTR Corporation’s Legal and Governance Director in 2011, which was when I initially connected with the Institute. My first formal role was in 2013, as a member of the Governance Professionals Panel (formerly the Company Secretaries Panel). I became a Fellow in 2016 and the following year was elected to Council, and also became a member of the Professional Development Committee, of which I was later Chair. I served as Vice-President in 2019 and as President for two years from 2020 to 2021, which was actually a very challenging period.

In November 2020, Ellie Pang FCG HKFCG(PE) joined us as our new CEO while we were transitioning our training and CPD programmes online due to Covid, and we were also in the midst of our major rebranding from The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries to our current, more expanded role as The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute. These are among the achievements I’m proudest of during my presidency.’

You took on the role of International Vice President in July 2024. Can you tell us a little about your professional and personal journey to that role?

‘Having been involved with the Institute for many years, I had seen at first hand the important work it does – not just for our members but also for Hong Kong in general, as well as internationally through our global body, The Chartered Governance Institute. When the opportunity arose to take on the role of International Vice President, it felt too meaningful to pass up. Seeing the contributions of past leaders, such as Edith Shih FCG(CS, CGP) HKFCG(CS, CGP)(PE), was also very inspiring. Stepping into this position was a chance to give back to the profession and to the Institute itself on a more global basis.’

What aspect of the Institute’s activities and initiatives inspire and engage you the most?

‘I’m passionate about Hong Kong’s long-term success as an international financial centre and I consider strong governance to be fundamental to that – the Institute plays a critical role in helping shape our status in that capacity. Transparency, accountability and trust in markets underpin Hong Kong’s competitiveness. Governance matters across all types of organisation – from corporates to NGOs to sports bodies – because a robust governance framework supports sustainability and balanced stakeholder interests.

Beyond that, I’m particularly proud of the Sustainability Governance Academy and the Institute’s growing work in sports governance. These initiatives not only broaden our impact and reputation, but also contribute meaningfully to Hong Kong. Our advocacy work, from hot-topic articles to training to engagement with regulators, truly strengthens the governance landscape.’

Why do you feel giving back is important?

‘I’ve been very fortunate in my career and, as you become more experienced, you realise you have skills and knowledge that can genuinely help other organisations and individuals. Many challenges are universal, even across vastly different sectors, so the ability to contribute is greater than one might think earlier in one’s career.

There’s a wonderful Madeleine Albright quote: “There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.” I feel similarly about society as a whole. Those of us who are able to give back should do so to help build a more robust, inclusive and sustainable community. And while it is an act of service, I also gain a great deal from it personally, in terms of the people I meet, the impact I see and the energy it gives me.’

Over the years, many individuals have contributed behind the scenes to the Institute’s growth. From your perspective, how have the efforts of these volunteers shaped the Institute’s development and success?

‘The Institute’s strength comes from the partnership between its professional Secretariat and its volunteers – Council members, committee members and others – who contribute practical governance experience. When Council discusses qualifying programme updates or advocacy priorities, for example, it relies on the input of volunteers who bring their insights and real-world perspectives of governance professionals.

We simply could not achieve what we do without these individuals who generously offer both their time and their expertise. The upcoming sports governance certification programme is a good example. We now have an exceptional lineup of speakers, including many external experts who are also committed to giving back. Hong Kong has a remarkable culture of volunteerism and, as people become more experienced, many feel a natural obligation to contribute – this is one of Hong Kong’s strengths.’

Are you involved in other philanthropic activities outside the Institute and what motivates you in your personal life? How do you ensure that the ‘well does not run dry’?

‘I sit on the Board of Hong Kong China Rugby and I also help run Launching and Inspiring Female Talent (LIFT), a 12-month leadership development programme for women in the rugby community. This covers topics like confidence building, male allies, public speaking, personal branding, cultural intelligence, mentoring and more. The goal is not to push participants into leadership roles, but to help them realise their potential and to build a pipeline of future leaders. Watching participants grow has been incredibly rewarding.

Personally, a quote I love from Maya Angelou captures my approach to life: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive – and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour and some style.” I’m naturally an enthusiast and I find that the more you give, the more you gain.’

What value do you believe governance brings to organisations and the wider society, and how does the Institute contribute to that?

‘Governance is the cornerstone of any organisation. It sets the framework for decision-making, policy implementation and accountability. Good governance fosters transparency, equity and regulatory compliance. In today’s complex and fast-changing world, organisations must understand their stakeholders’ expectations, perceptions and needs, and must work to balance these while staying aligned with their core purpose. A strong governance framework supports resilience, adaptability, long-term sustainability and, ultimately, trust.’

第三篇薪传治理系列采访对象为国际公会副会长、香港公司治理公会前会长、香港铁路有限公司法律及管治总监馬琳女士FCG HKFCG(PE)。

您最初是如何、又在何时开始参与公会工作的？当时的职务是什么？

‘我在2011年成为香港铁路有限公司的法律及管治总监，那也是我最初与公会产生联系的时候。我的第一个正式角色是2013年加入 Governance Professionals Panel（当时称为Company Secretaries Panel）。我于2016年成为资深会士，翌年当选为理事会理事，并加入专业发展委员会，后来更担任其主席。我在2019年担任副会长，并于2020至2021年连续两年担任会长。那是一个非常具有挑战性的时期。

2020年11月，彭京玲女士FCG HKFCG(PE)加入公会成为新总裁，当时我们正因新冠疫情而将培训和持续专业发展课程全面转为线上，同时也正经历品牌重塑的重大转变，从原来的香港特许秘书公会转变为如今职责更广的香港公司治理公会。这些都是我在会长任内引以为傲的成就。’

您在2024年7月出任国际公会副会长。可以谈谈您在专业及个人方面通往这个职位的历程吗？

‘多年来参与公会的工作，让我亲眼见证了公会的重要作用，不仅为我们的会员带来裨益，也令香港整体受惠，还透过我们的全球机构特许公司治理公会在国际层面发挥重要作用。因此当有机会担任国际副会长这样的领导角色时，我觉得意义重大，不容错过。看到历任领导者的贡献，例如施熙德女士FCG(CS, CGP) HKFCG(CS, CGP)(PE)，也深深启发了我。能够走上这个位置，是我在更广阔的全球层面回馈这个专业与公会的机会。’

公会的哪些工作或活动最令您投入或受到启发？

‘我对维持香港作为国际金融中心的长远成功充满热忱，而稳健的治理是国际金融中心的重要基础，公会在这层面帮助塑造香港的地位方面扮演着关键角色。透明度、问责性以及市场信任是香港竞争力的基石。治理于各类型的机构都至关重要，包括企业、非政府组织、体育机构等，因为良好的治理框架能够支持可持续发展与平衡各方利益。

除此之外，我尤其为可持续发展治理学院以及公会在体育治理方面日益扩展的工作感到自豪。这些计划不仅扩大了我们的影响力，提高我们的声誉，也为香港做出了有意义的贡献。无论是发表文章、提供培训，还是与监管机构的沟通，我们的倡议工作确实强化了整体治理生态。’

为什么回馈社会对您如此重要？

‘我在职业生涯中非常幸运。而随着经验的累积，你会意识到自己具备的技能和知识能够确实帮助其他机构和个人。许多挑战在不同领域之间是共通的，所以个人能够贡献的空间其实比年轻时想象的更大。

我很喜欢Madeleine Albright的一句话：“不帮助其他女性的女人，在地狱会有特别的位置。”我对整个社会也有类似的看法。既然我们有能力回馈，就应为建设一个更稳健、更包容、更可持续的社区尽一分力。虽然这是服务他人，但我个人也从中获得许多，包括遇见的人、看到的影响，以及它带给我的能量。’

多年来，许多人默默付出，推动了公会的发展。从您的角度来看，这些志愿者的努力如何塑造了公会的发展与成功？

‘公会的力量来自其专业秘书处与志愿者之间的合作， 这些志愿者包括理事会理事、委员会成员等，他们带来了实用的治理经验。例如当理事会讨论资格课程的更新或倡议工作的优先次序时，它会依赖志愿成员的意见， 他们带来了治理专业人士的见解和真实的实践视角。

若没有志愿者慷慨投入时间与专业知识，我们绝不可能取得今天的成果。即将推出的体育治理认证课程便是一个好例子。我们如今有非常优秀的讲者阵容，包括许多同样致力于回馈社会的外部专家。香港有着浓厚的志愿服务文化，随着人们经验的增长，许多人都会自然而然地产生贡献社会的责任感–这是香港的优势之一。

除了公会以外，您是否参与其他公益活动？在个人生活上， 是什么激励着您？您如何确保自己保持充沛精力、不被“ 掏空”？

‘我在中国香港榄球总会担任董事，也协助运营女性领导力发展计划LIFT (Launching and Inspiring Female Talent)项目， 一个为期 12 个月、旨在培养橄榄球界女性人才的领导力发展项目。课程内容涵盖建立自信、男性盟友、公众演讲、个人品牌、文化智能、导师计划等。这个项目的目标并不是推动学员立即担任领导职位，而是帮助她们认识自身潜力，并建立未来的领导梯队。看到她们的成长，非常令人欣慰。

在个人方面，我很喜欢Maya Angelou的一句话：“我生命的使命不仅是生存下来，而是要活得精彩，以热情、同理心、幽默感和风格来实现。”我天生是个热心的人，而我发现付出越多，反而得到越多。’

您认为良好的治理对机构与社会有何价值？公会又如何作出贡献？

‘治理是任何机构的基石。它为决策、政策执行与问责提供框架。良好的治理提升透明度、公平性及合规性。在当今复杂且快速变化的世界中，机构必须理解利益相关者的期望、观感与需求，并在坚持核心使命的同时平衡上述诉求。强而有力的治理框架能支持韧性、适应力、长期可持续性，并最终建立信任。’