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31 JUL 2012

Oxfam Hong Kong appoints Dr Stephen Frederick Fisher as new Director General

Oxfam Hong Kong announced today (31 July 2012) the appointment of Dr Stephen Frederick Fisher to succeed Mr John Sayer as Director General of Oxfam Hong Kong for a three-year term with effect from 1 September 2012.

Dr Fisher was formerly the Director of Social Welfare of the HKSAR Government and before that, the Secretary to the Commission on Poverty. Since his retirement from the Government, Dr Fisher has continued his service to the community by volunteering at various non-governmental organisations and universities. Dr Fisher applied and took part in the global recruitment process started in the beginning of this year.

“We are excited to have Stephen on board,” said Dr Lo Chi Kin, J.P., Chair of Oxfam Hong Kong Council. “As the former Director of Social Welfare, Stephen possesses rich experience in different areas of public service, as well as proven leadership skills and an understanding of issues facing vulnerable and marginalised groups in Hong Kong and beyond. In addition to his remarkable background in public administration, I am most impressed by his sense of justice and determination to work with poor people. I am confident that Stephen will lead Oxfam Hong Kong to scale new heights and turn ideas into practice to create a world free of poverty.”

On his appointment as the new Director General, Dr Fisher said, “I identify strongly with Oxfam Hong Kong’s vision and mission to work with people against poverty. It is an honour for me to be joining Oxfam Hong Kong which is committed to assisting disadvantaged people, upholding people’s rights, and advocating for fairness and justice. I look forward to leading a group of dedicated colleagues and working with our trusted partners towards the end of poverty, when women and men everywhere can enjoy wellbeing and rights.”

Dr Lo added that during this period, Mr Sayer will be assisting Dr Fisher with a full orientation and handover of tasks, knowledge and responsibilities.

Brief biographical note on Dr Stephen Frederick Fisher is set out below:

Dr Stephen Frederick Fisher possesses rich experience in different areas of public service and solid expertise in working with the community. Dr Fisher served in various bureaux and departments in the Hong Kong Government, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Health and Welfare Branch, the former Financial Services Branch, the former Chief Secretary's Office, and the former Planning, Environment and Lands Bureau, etc. He was the Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs from 2002 to 2006, the Secretary to the Commission on Poverty from 2006 to 2007, and the Director of Social Welfare from 2007 to 2009 before his retirement.

Since his retirement from the Government, Dr Fisher has continued his service to the community by volunteering at various NGOs and universities. Dr Fisher was the Deputy Chairperson of Hong Kong Unison, and Adjunct Professor of Hong Kong Baptist University and Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Dr Fisher was awarded an SBS in 2010 for his dedicated and distinguished service to the Government and the Hong Kong community.

Dr Fisher holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences and a Master of Philosophy in Sociology from The University of Hong Kong. He also holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology from Carleton University in Canada. 

About Oxfam

Oxfam is dedicated to fighting poverty and inequity worldwide. The international and independent development and humanitarian organisation tackles poverty in four main ways: sustainable development in poor communities, disaster relief, local and global advocacy, and education with Hong Kong youth. Established in Hong Kong in1976, Oxfam Hong Kong is a founding member of Oxfam, an international confederation that has assisted poor people in 92 countries. Oxfam Hong Kong alone has supported poor people in over 70 countries/regions.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Sarah Chu
Oxfam Hong Kong Communications Officer
Tel: 3120 5280 / 9276 0064
Email: sarah.chu@oxfam.org.hk
Melanie Chan
Oxfam Hong Kong Communications Officer
Tel: 3120 5175 / 9654 2048
Email: melaniec@oxfam.org.hk