回饋社區 助人為本
專訪獨立非執行董事陳寶莉
Giving Back to the Community
An Interview with Independent
Non-Executive Director
Poh Lee Tan

曾經擔當大型國際律師事務所領導要職的領展獨立非執行董事陳寶莉(Poh Lee)，專業成就非凡，於2015底加盟領展董事會，皆因希望回饋香港社會。「領展致力提供優質購物消閒空間，業務跟香港廣大市民的生活息息相關。領展更是少數於過去五年持續提高董事會女性比例的恆指成份股企業，可見其對性別多元化高度重視。」

Poh Lee憶述時任主席蘇兆明於十周年慶祝酒會上跟她說的一個笑話：「我加入那時正值公司快將慶祝上市十週年，對於公司多項矚目成就，儘管未有作過任何貢獻，即已感到與有榮焉！」該慶祝活動展示公司歷年成果，她感受尤深。「在行政總裁王國龍的領導下，團隊專心致志，刻盡己任，令公司取得連番突破性成就，我特別以此為傲。」

對於領展近年邁向多元化發展，她表示：「公司進軍內地一線城市，取得長足進展，令人興奮。廣州西城都薈廣場是公司內地第三宗收購，我亦有參與當中決策。海濱匯標誌領展首項地產發展項目以及首項辦公室投資，就如內地的投資，是順應公司發展勢頭、有利業務多元化的策略性舉措。香港投資界廣泛支持放寬房託守則有關規限，從證監會的諮詢可見一班，亦令此發展項目得以落實。」

Poh Lee 父親對他人樂於伸出援手，她亦深受啟發，積極參與社會服務，儘管事務繁忙，亦創立關顧長者的慈善機構恩橡基金會。「領展的社區支援計劃已變得更具效益及策略性。展望將來，我希望我們加大力度，於社區推動終身學習及鼓勵長者多參與義工服務。」

It was a desire to contribute back to Hong Kong that prompted Poh Lee Tan, an accomplished lawyer who had served in key leadership roles with a major international law firm, to join Link as an independent non-executive director in late 2015. “Link touches the lives of so many broad sections of the Hong Kong public by providing outlets for unique shopping and leisure experiences. As one of the handful of Hang Seng Index companies that saw greater female representation on the Board in the last five years, Link also stands out as being highly committed to gender diversity,” she said.

“Joining Link just days before its 10th anniversary, I was able to bask in all its achievements, whilst contributing nothing to them!” she said, recalling a joke Nicholas Sallnow-Smith, the then-chairman of Link, shared with her at Link’s Anniversary Reception. This remains one of her most light-hearted moments at Link. “I was particularly proud of Link’s many achievements in breaking new ground for the company, which are due in large part to the many loyal employees who have contributed under the leadership of CEO George Hongchoy.”

Commenting on Link’s moves to diversify its business, Poh Lee said, “Our expansion into first-tier cities in Mainland China has been an exciting development. I participated in the decision-making regarding Link’s third Mainland acquisition, Metropolitan Plaza in Guangzhou. The Quayside, our first property development project and first venture into the office sector, is a natural move for us and a key part of our diversification strategy, as are our Mainland investments. This was possible because of the expansion of the REIT Code, which, as seen in the Securities and Futures Commission’s consultation exercise, was supported broadly by the Hong Kong investment community.”

Inspired by her father, who always cared for those around him, Poh Lee has cultivated a strong passion for social service. Despite her hectic schedule, she founded the Mighty Oaks Foundation, a charity that cares for the elderly. “Link’s community programme is becoming more streamlined and strategic. In the future, I hope we can do more to encourage volunteerism among active elderly residents and lifelong learning in our communities”.