Top 5 job changes in HK that caught readers' attention in 2023

Talent crunch has been an ongoing challenge for businesses and companies across the globe over the past year and it is expected to continue in 2024. According to the latest report by ManpowerGroup Greater China, about 78% of Hong Kong-based companies were struggling to locate talent as they head into next year, despite a slight improvement from the 17-year high of 85% earlier this year.

The report also showed that some businesses in the city are planning to offer higher wages to overcome their shortages, with employees expected to enjoy an average salary rise of 3.3% in 2024.

The top five skills global employers report the most difficulty finding include IT and data; engineering; sales and marketing; operations and logistics; manufacturing and production.

The brightest sector in Hong Kong is communication services with a net employment outlook (NEO) of +63%, increasing by 15 points since last quarter and 31 points since this time last year. In fact, Hong Kong ranks second globally for the communication services sector's NEO, above the 41-country average NEO by 32 points.

In the realm of marketing and communications, we also observed various notable job transitions that have piqued the interest of our readers. Here are the five most captivating career changes in Hong Kong that garnered significant attention.

1. Deliveroo names new interim GM for HK as Andrew Hui steps down

Nicholas Price made a significant impact this year with his recent appointment as the general manager for Deliveroo's operations in Hong Kong, creating ripples within the industry.

After stepping into the role of interim general manager for Deliveroo Hong Kong in July this year, Price assumed responsibility for strategic planning, operations, marketing, commercial development, and staff development, as well as being tasked with building relationships with restaurants, riders and customers.

Price joined Deliveroo as finance and strategy director in May 2021 leading the team in Hong Kong and subsequently took on Singapore in December 2022. As a key member of the leadership team, Price played a pivotal role in accelerating Deliveroo’s growth in Asia, according to the company. 

2. HKTV bolsters eCommerce biz with new business development and marketing director role

Hong Kong Technology Venture Company (HKTV) made headlines when it appointed Ken Chan as director of business development and marketing for its subsidiary eCommerce platform HKTVmall in June 2023.

In this newly created role, Chan reports to Jelly Zhou, chief executive officer (Hong Kong) of HKTV. He leads multiple marketing functions, including all facets of eCommerce marketing, design and “Wet Market Express” (街市即日餸) delivery business. He also leads the new business development team to further expand HKTVmall services beyond Hong Kong.

Prior to HKTV, Chan had previously helmed the role of brand marketing head, Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area of HSBC and regional commercial and marketing director of Procter & Gamble (P&G). Chan has garnered strong commercial leadership experience across Hong Kong, Taiwan and Greater China with solid experience in branding, digital marketing, social, media, communications and go-to market omni-channel commercial execution capability.

3. TamJai International names new chief marketing officer

TamJai International (TJI) appointed Ronald Wong as its new chief marketing officer in mid-September, succeeding Agnes Lung. He reports to Daren Lau, chairman, executive director and chief executive officer of Tam Jai International.  

Within his new role, Wong is tasked with bringing the TamJai brand to a number of overseas markets. His key focus is to transform the brand to ensure its core brand essence is well explained to the overseas customers and that it is meaningful to them.

Prior to TamJai, Wong had been with DFI Retail Group for over four years, with his most recent role as the vice president of brand and marketing and the co-founder of DFI's loyalty programme yuu.

“It’s rare to find such an exciting mission to bring a true Hong Kong legend to the world! Tam Jai grew up with many HongKongers and now it’s time to take this brand & famous Hong Kong delicacy to diners of the world,” said Wong.

4. Uni-China Group nabs TamJai International's Agnes Lung as new group CMO

TamJai International’s executive director and group chief marketing and digital officer Agnes Lung departed after two and a half years to join Uni-China(Business) Management as group chief marketing and digital officer, effective from 5 June.

In this newly created role as part of the company's business expansion, Lung reports to Jackie Ling, chairman of Uni-China Group. She is responsible for formulating marketing and branding strategies for the group, developing new brands, enhancing the company’s digital transformation and advocating the customer digital journey for the group.

In a conversation with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Lung said she had been working in the retail business industry for 15 years and she was excited to take up a new challenge in the industry. 

5. foodpanda HK onboards Oatly's Amanda Chan as head of PR

Oatly’s marketing and communications lead of Asia Amanda Chan has left the firm to join foodpanda HK as head of communications and public relations, effective from October 2023.

Within her new role, Chan reports to Ryan Lai, CEO of foodpanda Hong Kong. Chan is tasked with overseeing all rounded communications and public relations roles, including media relations, internal and external communications, brand communications, issues and crisis preparedness and handling.

Prior to foodpanda, Chan had been the marketing and communications lead of Asia at Oatly for over five years. During this time, she was responsible for establishing the Oatly brand across Asia, developing marketing and communications strategies, and managing crisis. Before Oatly, Chan also helmed various senior PR roles at F&B brands such as McDonald's and Hong Kong Maxim's Group.

In a conversation with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Chan said reflecting on the years at Oatly, it has been her honour to play a role in shaping the brand across Asia and contributing to the growth of the plant-based movement in the region.

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