ICE Hong Kong Association x HKIE Civil Division Joint Conference 2025

Ricky Lau, JP

In October 2021, Ir Ricky LAU was appointed the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) to oversee public works policy and infrastructure development.   

Ir LAU was the director of civil engineering and development from October 2018 to October 2021, and was responsible for overseeing the strategic planning and the implementation of various reclamation, new development area and major infrastructure projects.  

He joined the Government in 1992 as an Assistant Engineer. Before joining the Civil Engineering and Development Department in 2015, he worked in the Highways Department and the Development Bureau. 

Ir LAU is a fellow member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. 

Chi-Keung Hon, GBS, JP

Ir HON Chi-keung, GBS, JP has over 40 years of experience working in the engineering profession and public administration. Ir Hon joined the Government in 1983 and was the director of civil engineering and development from 2011 to 2015 and permanent secretary for development (Works) from 2015 to 2018.

During his tenure in the Development Bureau, he instigated the regeneration of the construction industry by advocating the “Construction 2.0 – Time to change” roadmap and strengthen the leading role of Hong Kong construction industry and promote long term sustainable development in the industry. 

Ir Hon was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2018 for his exemplary contributions to the areas of infrastructure development and promotion of quality improvements in the construction industry.

He served as the chief executive of secretary of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers from 2020 to 2023.

He is currently the chairperson of building technology research institute board and a board member of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. 

Lewis Barlow

Lewis Barlow is the ICE’s Trustee for Carbon and Climate and a leading expert in whole life infrastructure decarbonisation. With over 25 years of experience, he advises local authorities, developers and governments on achieving net zero.

Lewis has managed environmental risks and minimised carbon emissions on projects around the world, earning international recognition for his contributions to the climate crisis. 

As a regular guest lecturer and ICE Tutor, Lewis promotes professional development and actively shares best practice on carbon reduction. He authored and continues to present the ICE’s Carbon Management in Infrastructure and Carbon in Infrastructure Procurement courses. 

Instrumental in developing new carbon management technical guidance and policy, Lewis has significantly impacted major projects and programmes, including through his secondment to the Scottish Government, where he worked on the £5 billion City and Regional Growth Deals capital investment programme. 

Lewis plays a pivotal role in shaping the ICE’s approach to infrastructure decarbonisation, steering the ICE’s Carbon Management Plan and contributing to PAS 2080: Carbon Management in Buildings and Infrastructure.

He advocates for the uptake of PAS 2080 and emphasises the vital role of civil and infrastructure engineers in connecting national net zero targets with project delivery. 

Joyce Lau, JP

Ir LAU is currently the project manager of the North Development Office (NDO) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) leading the planning and implementation of various major projects supporting the development of the eastern part of the Northern Metropolis (NM), including Kwu Tung North and Fanling North New Development Areas, San Tin Technolpole, etc.  

Before joining the NDO, she had also assumed the role of the project manager of the West Development Office of the CEDD leading the implementation of the rest of the NM’s projects, including Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area, Yuen Long South New Development Area, the Loop Development, etc.

In the past, Ir LAU had also worked in the Highways Department as well as the then Environment, Transport and Works Bureau on the planning and implementation of various mega-size major highway projects. 

Joseph Lo, JP

Ir Joseph Lo is the head of Project Strategy and Governance Office (PSGO) of Development Bureau leading the dedicated office with multi-disciplinary professionals for formulating strategic initiatives to promote innovation; strengthening project governance and uplift performance of public works through reinforcing the existing gateway process for cost management; enhancing project delivery capability; leading strategic developments to enhance cost-effectiveness; as well as enhancing collaboration with international counterparts and local industry stakeholders. 

Ir Lo is graduated from the University of Hong Kong and is a fellow of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers.  

Ir Lo joined the Government in 1999 and has since then worked in Development Bureau and various government departments including the Highways Department and Civil Engineering and Development Department. 

Prof Yaojun Ge

Yaojun Ge has been working at Tongji University, specialising in bridge structural analysis, wind engineering, and bridge aerodynamics for more than 40 years.

He has contributed to many R&D key projects, including five key projects of Natural Science Foundation of China and over 50 major bridge projects, including Shanghai Lupu Bridge as the world’s longest arch bridge, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge as the world’s longest sea crossing bridge, Xihoumen Bridge as the world’s longest box-girder suspension bridge.

He has published 9 books and more than 300 technical papers, and has made over 30 keynote presentations in international conferences.

He has received several Chinese National Awards including natural science, technical invention and science and technology progress, and T. Y. Lin Medal 2016 of IABMAS, ICARO Award 2018, Davenport Medal 2022 of IAWE and honoaray member 2023 of IABSE from the international communities.

He was serving as the President of International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) from 2019 to 2022, and the chairman of Bridge and Structural Engineering Institution of China Civil Engineering Society from 2014 to 2023. 

Ashley Welch

Ash Welch is a Nature-Based Solutions and Biodiversity Specialist at AECOM, serving as the Biodiversity Lead for Southeast Asia and Nature Positive Lead for AECOM’s Asia business. With extensive experience in ecological and environmental projects, he has led nature-based solutions (NbS) initiatives across Europe, Southeast Asia, and beyond. 

Ash played a key role in developing AECOM’s "Playbook for Nature-Positive Infrastructure Development", a collaboration with FIDIC and WWF, providing guidance on integrating NbS into infrastructure projects. 

Originating from the UK, Ash was deeply involved in biodiversity net gain and urban design projects, working alongside engineers, architects, and planners to develop NbS with diverse benefits. In Southeast Asia, he has contributed to urban forest restoration, mangrove restoration, and coastal NbS aimed at mitigating climate risks. 

More recently, Ash has been involved in the Natural Capital Initiative, starting with a large-scale forest restoration project in Indonesia, enhancing natural capital and economic value to support local communities and future infrastructure. 

Ash advocates for embedding nature-positive principles into urban planning and infrastructure, using NbS to create sustainable, resilient, and biodiverse environments that benefit both people and the planet. 

Carl Devlin

Mr Devlin joined the company as deputy director – Capital Works on 2 November 2021. He has been the Capital Works director and a member of the executive directorate since 1 August 2022. 

Mr Devlin is responsible for leading the Capital Works Business Unit and overseeing the Company’s capital works portfolio, covering new railway extensions and operations projects. 

Mr Devlin possesses extensive experience across a range of large-scale, complex and multi-disciplinary projects in different sectors including transport, rail and civil infrastructure, aviation, energy, oil and gas.

He has a strong project management background with solid business leadership experience and has worked successfully with stakeholders and international companies in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, United States of America, Canada and Japan.

Before joining the Company, Mr Devlin was general manager, Rail & Mass Transit of Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency. Prior to that, from 2015 to 2018, he was the executive director of construction for Horizon Nuclear Power in the United Kingdom and programme director for Transport for London, United Kingdom, from 2013 to 2015.

He previously held senior leadership roles with Laing O’Rourke, BAA plc and Bechtel Infrastructure.   

Mr Devlin is a Fellow Member of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and a Chartered Member of Engineers Ireland.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering from University College Cork in Ireland. 

Dr Alex Katsanos

Alex is a consultant in the infrastructure and operations space, with 24+ years of experience, and is the managing principal for advisory Asia at Aurecon.

His main focus is public sector policy, digital transformation, operational improvement, capital planning, Smart Cities and procurement excellence.

He has worked across most infrastructure sub-sectors, both for government and private clients in East Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa, though most of his work in the past 20 years has been focused on construction productivity and digitalisation in Hong Kong.

Alex holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Surrey, and is a Policy Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

He is a regular contributor in key industry events and thought leadership initiatives in the city, as well as contributions to media publications and broadcasts. 

Eric Ma, GBS, JP

Ir Eric MA is the President of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Hong Kong and a Chartered Engineer in the United Kingdom.  Ir MA is also a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, United Kingdom, and the Institution of Structural Engineers, United Kingdom. 

He was an executive director and chief executive officer of New World Development Company Limited and NWS Holdings Limited, the Acting CEO of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited and Principal Consultant of the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation. I

r MA was previously the Secretary for Development of the HKSAR Government, overseeing policy areas ranging from urban planning to heritage conservation and addressing the supply-demand imbalance in land and housing; also engaging in the policy making of sustaining the growth of Hong Kong as a modern city through effective land use planning, urban renewal, greening and heritage conservation.

Prior to joining the HKSAR Government, he was executive vice president, Civil and Infrastructure, Asia Pacific, of AECOM Asia Company Limited. 

John Kwong

Ir John Kwong is a seasoned senior executive, an experienced engineering professional and an internationally renowned leader in promoting innovation and reform in the construction industry.  

Ir Kwong graduated from the University of Hong Kong and obtained several postgraduate degrees in engineering and laws.  

During his service in the HKSAR Government, Ir John Kwong was responsible for overseeing the Capital Works Programme to ensure public works projects are delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner.  

He was also responsible for formulating strategies to strengthen governance and uplifting performance of capital works projects as well as the construction industry at large.  

Ir Kwong was also involved in the establishment of the Building Technology Research Institute to spearhead building construction innovation.  

Ir Kwong is currently the vice-president for Development of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. 

Prof Chi Sun Poon

Ir Prof. Chi Sun Poon is currently the Michael Anson Professor in Civil Engineering, Chair Professor of Sustainable Construction Materials, Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), Director of Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE) and Director of Research Center for Design for Safety (RCDfS) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). He is also one of the Directors of PolyU-NAMI 3D Concrete Robotic Printing Research Centre (RCC3D).

He has been awarded the title of Changjiang Chair Professor by the Ministry of Education in 2017.

Ir Prof. Poon specialises in the research and development of environmental-friendly construction materials, waste management, waste recycling technologies, concrete technologies and sustainable construction.

He has been listed among the World’s Top 2% Scientists released by Stanford University and ranked the 4th globally in the field of Building and Construction. Ir Prof. Poon is an Editor of Construction and Building Materials since 2014.

He is also an Editorial Board Member of Cement and Concrete Composites since 2017. He has published over 800 papers in international journals and conferences (including 650 international journal papers, 160 referred conference papers, and 7 book chapters).

He has obtained more than 20 patents related to concrete and waste recycling technologies.

He was awarded the State Technological Innovation Award 2017 (2nd Class). 

Prof Kaimin Shih

Professor Kaimin Shih is the Deputy Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Hong Kong. He received his Ph.D. and postdoctoral training in the Environmental Engineering and Science program at Stanford University.

After joining the University of Hong Kong, Professor Shih established and led the “Environmental Materials Research Group” to work on engineering and employing material properties for innovative environmental, construction, and energy applications.  Professor Shih is ranked as the top 1% researcher worldwide by Clarivate Analytics in his research field and is currently the editor and associate editor in a number of high-impact environmental and civil engineering research journals.

Professor Shih was the President of the Overseas Chinese Environmental Engineers and Scientists Association, Chairman of the Hong Kong Waste Management Association, President of the American Society of Civil Engineers - Greater China Section, and is now the Deputy Chairman of the Environmental Division of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers.

In 2014, Professor Shih received the University of Hong Kong Outstanding Teaching Award for his exceptional contribution to environmental engineering and sustainability education.