(Hong Kong, 29 November 2011) – Mr Nicholas Sallnow-Smith, Chairman & Independent Non-Executive Director and Mr George Hongchoy, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, both of The Link Management Limited, have won Directors of the Year Awards 2011 in Non-Executive Directors and Executive Directors Categories respectively. The awardees were announced at a media conference held by the Awards’ organizer – The Hong Kong Institute of Directors, at noon today.

 

The Panel of Judges praised Mr Sallnow-Smith for his remarkable contribution to The Link with his extensive industry knowledge, experience and international exposure and for leading the company through a fundamental change in early 2009 in improving corporate governance, internal controls, risk management, transparency and corporate social responsibility (“CSR”).

 

“I am delighted to have won this Award and glad to see that The Link REIT ("The Link") has been seen as a role model in corporate governance practices in Hong Kong. I aim to support the improvement in governance across Hong Kong’s institutions as it is vital to Hong Kong’s continued success,” said Mr Sallnow-Smith.

 

Mr Hongchoy was presented with the Director of the Year Award in the Executive Directors Category. The fact that Mr Hongchoy played a pivotal role in driving The Link’s CSR and sustainability practices and in establishing a strong engagement with stakeholders and shareholders convinced the Panel of Judges, who also acknowledged that Mr Hongchoy had initiated, defined and implemented The Link’s vision, mission and core values and achieved excellent financial performance, internal controls and risk management.

 

“This prestigious Award further reinforces my determination to build a clear corporate culture for The Link and to lead the management team in developing a sustainability framework in such key areas as staff, community, corporate governance, asset/brand, economic, tenant and environment. Our vision, in the end, is to be a world class real estate investor and manager serving and improving the lives of those around us,” said Mr Hongchoy.

 

The Link Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) is Hong Kong’s first and Asia’s largest REIT, owning and managing 181 commercial properties. The majority of members of The Link’s board of directors are independent non-executive directors.