Duncan Pescod re-appointed as WKCDA Chief Executive Officer

West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) is pleased to announce the re-appointment of Mr Duncan Pescod as the WKCDA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a second term, which will commence on 3 August 2018, pursuant to section 7 of the WKCDA Ordinance (Cap. 601).
 

Announcing the re-appointment today, the Honourable Henry Tang Ying-yen, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Board of WKCDA, said Mr Pescod has made significant contributions to the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) project.
 

“Duncan has been instrumental in delivering positive outcomes for WKCDA and leading it to progress from planning phase to operation phase during his first term as the CEO. Thanks to Duncan’s substantial contributions to driving the design and construction programme, Xiqu Centre, the Art Park, Freespace and M+ are making very significant progress. Duncan is insightful and highly effective in the planning and formulation of delivery strategies for arts and cultural facilities including the Hong Kong Palace Museum and Lyric Theatre Complex, as well as for other development packages for the Enhanced Financial Arrangement to enhance the sustainability of the operation of the cultural district,” said Mr Tang.  


“On the development of cultural software, Duncan has provided inspiration and strong support to the artistic teams in strengthening programme development, audience building, capacity building and professional development. Duncan’s direction and efforts enable the community and the youth to better comprehend WKCDA’s commitment to enriching the cultural life of Hong Kong through outreach engagements and family-themed programmes,” added Mr Tang.
 

“These achievements are testament to his strong leadership, vision for the district, and sense of corporate governance. I have confidence that Duncan will, together with the management team, continue to realise the vision of transforming WKCD into a world-class arts and cultural district for everyone,” said Mr Tang.
 

On his re-appointment, Mr Pescod said, “I am extremely grateful to the Chairman and the WKCDA Board for placing their trust and confidence in me. When I was appointed to the position of the CEO in 2015, I pledged to drive the design and construction programme to ensure that the commissioning schedule of the WKCD facilities will continue to remain on track. Now as a prelude to the commissioning of these arts and cultural facilities, the emphasis over the last few years has been on WKCDA’s artistic programme as we work to inspire people, strengthen the connection with the community and communicate the artistic vision of WKCD to raise public awareness and build audiences.” 
 

Mr Pescod added, “I relish the opportunity to extend my involvement to realise the WKCD project and, most importantly, I am delighted to be able to continue to work alongside a group of committed professionals, dedicated to creating a local and international destination to realise the huge potential of arts, culture and entertainment for Hong Kong.”
 

Mr Pescod has been serving as the CEO since 3 August 2015. He joined WKCDA as the Chief Operating Officer in October 2014, responsible for the infrastructural development and commercial and operational planning of the project. Prior to that, Mr Pescod had 32 years of service with the Government in Hong Kong. He served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Home Affairs Branch, the former Security Branch, the Lands Department, the former Urban Services Department, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Civil Service Branch, the Tourism Commission, and the Efficiency Unit. He was Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Communities from March 2006 to August 2008, Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology) from August 2008 to April 2010, and Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing) and Director of Housing from May 2010 to April 2014.
 

Mr Pescod was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star and the Chief Executive's Commendation for Government/Public Service by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government for his contribution to the territory and his distinguished community services.
 

The re-appointment of the CEO will ensure WKCDA is well equipped to handle the ongoing challenges of growing the arts and cultural industry through its cultural assets to generate community value, whilst achieving financial self-sufficiency and high performance.
 

Remarks

About the West Kowloon Cultural District

Located on Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour, the West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the largest cultural projects in the world. Its vision is to create a vibrant new cultural quarter for Hong Kong. With a complex of theatres, performance spaces, and museums, the West Kowloon Cultural District will produce and host world-class exhibitions, performances, and cultural events, and will provide twenty-three hectares of public open space, including a two-kilometre waterfront promenade.