Laura Cha

Cha received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Santa Clara University in California.⁠[1]

Beginning in 1983, Cha practiced law first in San Francisco and then in Hong Kong.⁠[1][2]

In 1991, Cha joined the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong, where she worked until 2000, becoming Deputy Chairman in 1998.⁠[3]

In 2001, the Hong Kong SAR Government awarded Cha the Silver Bauhinia Star in recognition of her public service.⁠[3]

In January 2001, Cha was appointed Vice Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, becoming the first person from outside mainland China to join the central government of the People’s Republic of China at vice-ministerial rank; she held the post until 2004.⁠[3][3]

In 2002, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on Cha.⁠[1]

In 2004, Cha became a member of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong SAR, serving until 2022.⁠[3]

From 2007 to 2011, Cha chaired Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee (UGC); from 2007 to 2012, she chaired the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee of the Independent Commission Against Corruption.⁠[3][1]

In 2009, the Hong Kong SAR Government awarded Cha the Gold Bauhinia Star.⁠[3]

From 2010 to 2013, Cha was a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Global Financial System.⁠[2]

In January 2013, Cha became the founding chairman of Hong Kong’s Financial Services Development Council, serving until July 2018.⁠[3][1]

In 2017, the Hong Kong SAR Government awarded Cha the Grand Bauhinia Medal in recognition of her public service.⁠[3]

On February 12, 2018, HKEX announced that the Hong Kong SAR Government had appointed Cha as a director of HKEX for a term running from the conclusion of the 2018 annual general meeting to the conclusion of the 2020 annual general meeting. Then-HKEX Chairman Chow Chung-kong welcomed her return to the board. Cha said that HKEX was an important cornerstone of Hong Kong’s financial markets and that she looked forward to serving on the board again.⁠[4][4][4][4]

On April 26, 2018, the HKEX board resolved to appoint Cha as its chairman, and she also took on roles including director of the London Metal Exchange. Following the Chief Executive’s written approval, the appointment took effect on May 4, 2018; she was the first woman to chair HKEX.⁠[5][5][6][1]

As chairman, she established HKEX’s first International Advisory Council, composed of leaders from the international financial community, and pushed to strengthen the group’s governance structure.⁠[1][1]

In December 2019, Cha was appointed the first female non-executive chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited; she was also an independent non-executive director of HSBC Holdings until she left the HSBC board in May 2022.⁠[1][7]

In 2020, Cha was named to Fortune’s list of the 50 Most Powerful Women International.⁠[1]

In January 2021, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University announced that it would confer an honorary doctorate on Cha in recognition of her achievements in finance; PolyU said she had had a profound influence on the development of the financial services industry in Hong Kong and the mainland.⁠[8][8][8]

In June 2022, Ant Group appointed Cha as an independent non-executive director.⁠[7]

In 2023, Cha joined the board of trustees of The Rockefeller Foundation.⁠[3]

After the conclusion of HKEX’s annual general meeting on April 24, 2024, Cha retired from the board, which resolved that Carlson Tong would succeed her as chairman and appointed her as a senior adviser to the board from April 25, 2024, to April 24, 2025; she continued to chair HKEX’s International Advisory Council and its China Mainland Advisory Group.⁠[9][9][9]

Cha’s other roles include member of the Hong Kong-United States Business Council, independent non-executive director of Ant Group, senior international adviser to Foundation Asset Management Sweden AB, member of Sotheby’s International Advisory Board, vice chairman of the International Advisory Council of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, and director of the World Federation of Exchanges. She previously served as an independent non-executive director of Unilever and HSBC Holdings and was a member of the Committee of 100.⁠[3][3][3][2][2]

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited: Official website: https://www.hkexgroup.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[6]

The Rockefeller Foundation: Official website: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/ (opens in a new window).⁠[10]