Ma Shaoxiang
Eric Ma Siu-cheung GBS JP (born 1963) is a Hong Kong engineer specializing in urban planning and architectural design. He has served as CEO and Chief Operating Officer of New World Development, Executive Director and CEO of NWS Holdings, Secretary for Development, and Under Secretary for Development.
Ma studied engineering in his early years and became an engineer, holding key positions in several engineering consultancy firms. In 2014, he joined the Hong Kong government as the first Under Secretary for Development and briefly served as Secretary for Development in 2017. After leaving government, he joined NWS Holdings in 2018 and was promoted to CEO the following year. In 2024, he became COO of New World Development and was appointed CEO in September, resigning two months later.
Biography
Early Life and Education
Ma graduated from Delia Memorial School (Broadway). During school, he developed a keen interest in nearby construction sites, which inspired him to pursue a career in engineering.[1] He earned a Diploma and Higher Diploma in Structural Engineering from Hong Kong Polytechnic in 1982 and 1984, respectively. In 1986, he received a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Hong Kong and a Master's degree in Transport Planning from Monash University in 1994.
After graduation, Ma entered the construction industry and held senior positions in several consultancy firms. He was involved in the development of Sha Tin and Tseung Kwan O New Towns and conducted cross-sector lobbying.[2]
In 2001, Ma joined MVA Hong Kong and was promoted to Managing Director in 2007, leading major projects such as the third runway of Hong Kong International Airport and sections of the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link. He frequently attended District Council and Legislative Council meetings, gaining experience in public affairs.[3][4]
In 2010, Ma was appointed Executive Vice President of Civil and Infrastructure for AECOM Asia-Pacific, expanding its presence across Asia. He is a fellow member of several professional institutions including the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, and the Institution of Structural Engineers, and previously served as chairman of the CIHT Hong Kong branch.
Government Career
In 2013, Ma was invited by then Secretary for Development Paul Chan to join the government due to his extensive experience in land development. He was officially appointed Under Secretary for Development in November 2013, filling a role that had been vacant for over 18 months.
In January 2014, Ma assumed the role of Under Secretary, mainly handling land supply matters. In November 2016, during a controversy involving Arup (a consultancy firm working simultaneously for the government and New World Development), Ma defended the government's decision to ban Arup from tendering for three months, citing commercial confidentiality when declining to release documents. Legislative Councillor Leung Kwok-hung ("Long Hair") attempted to seize documents during a meeting, prompting Ma to report the incident to the police.
In January 2017, following Paul Chan's appointment as Financial Secretary, Ma became acting Secretary for Development. In February 2017, he was officially appointed by the State Council to complete the remaining four months of Chan's term.
During his tenure, Ma promoted the Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) method to improve construction industry efficiency and address labor shortages. Under his leadership, Hip Hing Construction (a subsidiary of NWS Holdings) participated in MiC pilot housing projects at Hong Kong Science Park. He also supported establishing an MiC lab at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Business Career
After leaving government, Ma briefly served as Acting CEO of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Company from February to June 2018. In June 2018, he joined NWS Holdings as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer. He became CEO in January 2019, succeeding Patrick Tsang.
Given New World's extensive land holdings (around 15 million sq. ft.) in the Northern Metropolis, Ma played a key role in coordinating the group's involvement in the project. He participated in multiple partnership agreements with state-owned enterprises such as China Resources Land, China Merchants Shekou, and Shenzhen Investment Holdings.
In July 2022, Ma joined New World Development as Executive Director. In January 2024, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer to assist CEO Adrian Cheng with Hong Kong operations. In September 2024, Ma succeeded Cheng as CEO of New World Development.
Resignation from New World Development
On 29 November 2024, Ma resigned as CEO of New World Development and was succeeded by Wong Siu-mei.
References
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%A6%AC%E7%B4%B9%E7%A5%A5#cite_ref-Poly_1-0
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%A6%AC%E7%B4%B9%E7%A5%A5#cite_ref-PA_2-0
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%A6%AC%E7%B4%B9%E7%A5%A5#cite_ref-Or_3-0
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%A6%AC%E7%B4%B9%E7%A5%A5#cite_ref-4