Head of Public Affairs, Hong Kong Jockey Club
Ms Irene Chan joined The Hong Kong Jockey Club as the Head of Charities (Communications and Engagement) in 2015. She led the Charities Communication team to spearhead the development of an integrated communications strategy for the Club’s charities projects and engagement strategy with key stakeholder groups. In February 2019, she was appointed to the position of Head of Public Affairs (Corporate & Charities Communications). She now leads and coordinates the Club’s external communications efforts as to showcase the Club’s unique integrated business model and strengthen our development and positioning of the Club as a world class racing and charity organisation to fulfill our purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of society.
Irene possesses extensive experience in management, public affairs and corporate communications. She held senior positions in Beijing Olympics Broadcasting Company, The Walt Disney Company and Shell Companies. Prior to joining the Club, Irene served as the Chief Executive Officer of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Hong Kong. In Walt Disney, Irene was a core member of the senior leadership team that orchestrated the communications strategy in the region and the opening of the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.
Irene obtained her first degree in Policy Making and Administration from the University of Essex, an MBA in Industrial Relations & Personnel Management from the City University Business School in London and a Master of Philosophy in International Relations from the University of Cambridge. She also finished a part-time research course in Communications at the Peking University.