Governance

Our governance structure is led by a Board of Directors comprising ten members. Each board member brings a diverse range of skills and knowledge to the organisation. The Board plays a crucial role in overseeing and monitoring the performance of our management team through regular Board Meetings and a Committee system.

To fulfil its governance responsibilities, the Board formulates comprehensive strategies and establishes policies that align with our mission and objectives. They provide supervisory guidance to our Chief Executive and the management team, ensuring accountability and maintaining effective internal control systems. The Board also sets parameters within which the management team operates, fostering a framework for decision-making and organisational success.

In addition, the Board receives reports from various sub-committees that have been delegated authority to oversee specific areas of concern. This delegation of authority allows for a more focused and detailed examination of pertinent issues, enabling the Board to make informed decisions.

Through this governance structure, IHKSports ensures transparency, robust oversight, and effective management of the organisation to fulfil our mission and serve our beneficiaries.

Our Board members have demonstrated a strong commitment to IHKSports affairs and they are well aware that they are expected to have a sufficient time commitment to the Board. Our Board members disclose twice a year to IHKSports the number, identity and nature of offices held in Hong Kong or organisations and other significant commitments to ensure there is no conflict of interest.

The Board met six times in 2023, including one off-site strategy session. Average attendance at Board meetings was 94%. All Directors attended Board meetings in person or through electronic means of communication during the year.

Our last Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held successfully on 21 December 2023. During the AGM, our Chief Executive and Directors presented the annual financial statements and key operational highlights. It provided an opportunity for the attendees to ask questions and provide feedback. The successful AGM was an important milestone, underscoring our commitment to transparent and accountable governance.

At IHKSports, we are deeply committed to our mission of promoting children’s sports and health development, as well as youth empowerment. Our core principles, which revolve around upholding high ethical standards and values such as integrity, endeavour, excellence, humility, teamwork, and continuity, are at the heart of everything we do.

Sustainability is a key focus for us, and we ensure that all our actions align with long-term success. We firmly believe that acting with probity, transparency, and accountability is essential in achieving our objectives. By adhering to these principles, we not only benefit the children we serve but also create positive outcomes for our employees, business partners, and the communities in which we operate.

Our ultimate goal is to expand our reach and impact, increasing the number of beneficiaries who can experience the transformative power of sports and health development. Through the application of our core principles, we aim to foster a sustainable and thriving environment for all stakeholders involved.

The Board at IHKSports is committed to fostering continuous improvement in the realm of corporate governance. They actively seek opportunities to enhance our governance practices and promptly address any identified areas for improvement.

As part of this commitment, the organisation continuously monitors external developments in the field of corporate governance. This allows us to stay abreast of evolving business and regulatory landscapes, ensuring that our governance framework remains relevant, robust, and aligned with best practices. By doing so, we strive to meet the expectations of our stakeholders and maintain the trust they place in us.

IHKSports recognises the importance of strong corporate governance in achieving our mission and objectives. It is through this dedication to continuous improvement and vigilance in monitoring external developments that we aim to uphold transparency, accountability, and effective governance practices throughout the organisation.

IHKSports has implemented a robust three lines of defense model to ensure effective risk management and assurance. This model delineates the roles and responsibilities of different functions within the organisation.

By adopting this three lines of defense model, IHKSports aims to establish a strong risk management framework, ensuring accountability, transparency, and effective governance throughout the organisation.

The Board, in collaboration with the Risk and Compliance Committee, exercises ongoing oversight of the organisation’s risk register and internal control system. This ensures that risks are identified, assessed, and managed effectively. We were able to strengthen our risk and compliance efforts by leveraging pro bono legal services. As an organisation focused on the welfare and safety of children, safeguarding is a top priority for IHKSports and this has continuously ranked as the top risk. We have proactively developed a comprehensive children protection system that encompasses established policies, processes, and procedures. These measures are implemented across all relevant coaches and staff involved in our coaching activities.

IHKSports conducted an NGO Governance Health assessment developed by The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, in collaboration with GAME for Good Limited and the Centre for Civil Society and Governance at The University of Hong Kong. As shown in the Board Governance Health Index, IHKSports scored higher than both local participating NGOs and the reference group across all categories. The IHKSports Board has committed to annually reviewing its board governance effectiveness and identifying areas for improvement through a board health survey and performance evaluation.