Hong Kong, 12 February 2019– The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH) Director of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Janice Lao has been awarded Sustainability Leader of the Year by edie Sustainability Leader Awards 2019, in recognition of her achievements and contribution to Sustainability and Corporate Leadership. Janice is the first Asian person to win the award.
“We are very proud to announce that our Group’s Director of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Janice Lao has been selected as Sustainability Leader of the Year by edie. This is an additional recognition of her leadership and efforts in sustainability after winning the WEF Women of the Decade award in 2018,” said HSH Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr Clement Kwok. “At HSH, we are deeply committed to sustainability for a positive social, economic and environmental benefit on the local communities and the wider societies in which we operate, and Janice coordinates this effort across the many teams and operations in our group. She is currently leading the implementation of our global commitment to transition away from single use plastics by 2020 through reduction, replacement with sustainable alternatives and increased recycling, which we announced in 2018. This award is a testament to her passion, hard work and dedication to global sustainability issues, as well as the commitment and efforts of all our HSH teams which carry out our sustainability efforts on an ongoing basis.”
“I am humbled and honoured to be selected and grateful for the support of my colleagues over the years, with whom I would like to share this recognition. Sustainability and corporate responsibility is always a team effort and I am hopeful that we can continue raising awareness and implementing effective solutions to sustainability challenges, particularly in the area of Sustainable Luxury,” said Ms Lao.
“Janice has exhibited exemplary leadership on sustainable business. She has shown ability to
generate ground-breaking efforts on new issues in new contexts, driving progress on innovative financial instruments and initiatives. These have been followed by different industries in seafood, plastics and carbon trading, and in the luxury sector not traditionally focused on sustainability,” according to the winners report.
Ms. Janice Lao holds a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford. Prior to joining HSH in 2016, she worked in The Philippines and the USA before coming to Hong Kong in 2005 to work with Environmental Resources Management. In 2007, Janice relocated to London to work with Carbon Capital Markets, before returning to Hong Kong in 2008 to take up the position of Environmental Manager, Cathay Pacific Airways. Janice was given a part-time secondment from 2010 to 2014 as Group Sustainable Business Manager with John Swire and Sons (HK) and she held that role concurrently with her Cathay Pacific responsibilities. In 2014, Janice joined MTR Corporation as Senior Manager – Sustainability before moving to HSH in 2016.
About the awards
Organised by specialist sustainability publishing house Faversham House, the awards started in 2007 and since then the event has continued to grow and expand to include all key aspects of business sustainability. Now in their 12th year, the awards were held on Wednesday 6 February 2019 at the London Park Plaza, Westminster to coincide with the two-day conference and exhibition, the edie Sustainability Leaders Forum, taking place on the Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 February 2019 at the Business Design Centre, London.
About The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels
Incorporated in 1866 and listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (00045), HSH is the holding company of a Group which is engaged in the ownership, development and management of prestigious hotel, commercial and residential properties in key locations in Asia, the United States and Europe, as well as the provision of transport, club management and other services. The Peninsula Hotels portfolio comprises The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula Shanghai, The Peninsula Beijing, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula New York, The Peninsula Chicago, The Peninsula Beverly Hills, The Peninsula Paris, The Peninsula Bangkok, and The Peninsula Manila. Projects under development include The Peninsula London, The Peninsula Yangon and The Peninsula Istanbul. The property portfolio of the Group includes The Repulse Bay Complex, The Peak Tower and St. John’s Building in Hong Kong; The Landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and 21 avenue Kléber in Paris, France. The clubs and services portfolio of the Group includes The Peak Tram in Hong Kong; Thai Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand; Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, California; Peninsula Clubs and Consultancy Services, Peninsula Merchandising, and Tai Pan Laundry in Hong Kong.
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