[Bai Zhigao's resignation] West Kowloon’s CEO has left one after another and scholars call it unusual: the laughing stock of the international cultural circle

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Written by: Chen Shuxia

2020-09-29 18:54

Last update date: 2020-09-29 19:13

The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority has another personnel change. It is reported that Chief Executive Duncan Warren Pescod was asked by the government to leave office nine months earlier.

Since the establishment of the West Kowloon Cultural District, the position of Chief Executive Officer has been changed frequently over the years. He has experienced 3 foreign principals, including Pa Zhigao, Lian Nazhi and Xie Zhuofei. Among them, the first CEO, Xie Zhuofei from the United Kingdom, took office only 5 months "Quick Mob" resigned, and the rapid "job-hopping" after more than a month is even more intriguing.

The West Kowloon Cultural District is not entangled with affairs, and governance has become a "hot potato." During Pa Chigo's tenure, the progress of the project has repeatedly experienced twists and turns, including the financial difficulties of the main contractor of the M+ Museum, Xinchang, and the suspension of the project. Last year and this year, he experienced social events. The completion date has been delayed and delayed. The West Kowloon region will be faced with issues such as the Sino-US trade war and national security laws in the future, and those who take over will face greater difficulties.

Senior cultural man and scholar He Qingji believes that the early departure of the former chief executives of the West Kowloon Cultural District is extremely unusual and has become the laughing stock of the international cultural circle. The West Kowloon Cultural District Board of Directors must rigorously identify the reason why Pa Zhigao was "departed." Operation, "otherwise the next CEO cannot stay for long."

It is understood that Bai Zhigao has resigned.

(Profile picture / Photo by Liang Pengwei)

The current Chief Executive Officer, Pak Chigo, is a Hong Kong native of British origin. He joined the Authority in 2014 as Chief Operating Officer. He was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in August of the following year to succeed Michael Lynch, who resigned.

Pak Chigo is a retired senior official who has served in various departments of the Hong Kong Government for more than 33 years, including the former Civil Affairs Branch, the former Security Branch, the Lands Department, the former Urban Services Department, the former City and Administration Department, and the former Civil Service Bureau.

He served as the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology) from 2008 to 2010, and as the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing) and Director of Housing from 2010 to 2014.

However, because of his lack of art administration background, he has been questioned about his management effectiveness, especially the development of the industry led by laymen. He is even more "inferior". Compared with Lian Nazhi, who is familiar with the market of art and culture, he has a better opinion. .

During Bo Zhigao's tenure, controversies were endless. In 2016, the then Chief Secretary for Administration, Carrie Lam, who was also the chairman of the West Kowloon Administration Bureau, suddenly announced without consultation that he would introduce the Palace Museum of Culture.

The incident has become extremely controversial. In recent years, West Kowloon has been plagued by project delays, including the financial difficulties of the M+ museum contractor. The Administration needs to suspend the contract with Xinchang Construction, which has delayed the original target of completion in 2017. Under the influence of the epidemic, The opening day is even more indefinite. In July last year, a large-scale ground subsidence occurred in the theater complex, revealing loopholes in the project. In addition, the West Kowloon Project was severely overrun. It was criticized as a "bottomless pool" by outsiders, and finally added worry to the administration.

In July last year, a large-scale subsidence occurred in the West Kowloon Complex, revealing engineering loopholes.

(Photo by Luo Guohui)

A look at the West Kowloon’s 2018/19 Annual Report shows that Pa Chigo last year’s salary and other remuneration amounted to 4.96 million yuan, while contract remuneration was 970,000. On average, Pa Chigo has a monthly salary of more than 400,000 yuan.

He attended the meeting of the Board of Directors of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority as usual today to explain the latest progress of the M+ Museum and the arrangements for the epidemic situation in the West Kowloon Cultural District. He also confirmed that he would leave his post as early as the end of November.

"Hong Kong 01" also obtained part of the internal e-mail content sent by Pa Chico to the staff of the West Kowloon Cultural District. Pa Chico stated that in July this year, he informed the chairman of the Board of Directors of West Kowloon, Tang Yingnian, of his wishes. Both parties have agreed to wait until the end of the contract in August next year. Leave office.

Unfortunately, Tang Yingnian conveyed the government instructions to him, stating that the government had decided to ask him to leave early.

As for the last Chief Executive Officer, Lin Nazhi is from Australia. He is an internationally renowned arts administrator with more than 35 years of relevant experience. He has held important positions in London South Bank Centre and Sydney Opera House.

He came to Hong Kong as the Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural Authority in July 2011. After completing the first three-year contract, he originally renewed his tenure for two years. However, Lien Nazhi resigned early at that time and resigned one year earlier than the original contract.

As for the first chief executive officer, Graham Sheffield (Graham Sheffield) from the United Kingdom, unfortunately, after only 5 months in office, he resigned for health reasons.

However, less than two months later, he announced his transfer to the position of artistic director of the British Council, which attracted public speculation about "fraud".

According to Article 7 of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Ordinance, the Authority may, with the prior approval of the Chief Executive, appoint one person as the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority. The Chief Executive Officer is an employee of the Authority.

The West Kowloon Cultural District urged the issuance of a press release in the evening stating that the two parties agreed that the terms of appointment of Pak Chigo will end on November 28.

The Authority will conduct global recruitment in an open and transparent manner to identify the successor to the Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the Authority will seek secondment from the government as a transitional arrangement. Details will be announced in due course.

Bai Zhigao still attended the board meeting as usual today.

(Photo by Zhang Jiamin)

Chen Shuzhuang said frankly that he is more worried about the future financing difficulties of West Kowloon, because the current bidding for ACE projects (art, commercial, exhibition) projects has been suspended, and the completion of the project needs to be delayed.

(Screenshot of the official website of West Kowloon Cultural District)

Chen Shuzhuang, a Legislative Council member who has been a predecessor in politics and a stage actor who has been concerned about West Kowloon issues, said that he did not want Pa Zhigao to resign because of the political environment. She pointed out that although he did not fully agree with his style of work, he was better than having government administrative experience. , Which manages the West Kowloon "Ying Shu", which is wholly owned by the government.

However, Chen Shuzhuang said frankly that he is more worried about the future financing difficulties of West Kowloon. Due to the suspension of bidding for ACE projects (arts, commercials, exhibitions), Tang Yingnian, chairman of the board of directors of West Kowloon, has also played the "opening card" before. "Fill in Tai".

She also pointed out that it is always difficult for cultural facilities to turn into profit. "The Palace Museum may be the only opportunity (to make money)."

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