Government launches Investor Education Centre

Prof Leonard Cheng is appointed as the chairman for three years.

According to a release, the Securities & Futures Commission announced the launch of the Investor Education Centre and the appointment of Prof Leonard Cheng - a non-executive director of the commission - as chairman of the centre for a three-year term.

The centre is a cross-sectoral investor education body aiming to improve the financial knowledge and capability of the general public, and assisting them in making informed financial decisions.

Seven executive committee members have also been appointed. They represent financial regulators, the financial industry and the Education Bureau. The general manager of the centre also sits on the Executive Committee.

The commission's Chief Executive Officer Ashley Alder said the centre will work to develop a wide range of public investor education programmes and will play a key role in improving financial literacy.

The Securities & Futures (Amendment) Ordinance 2012 came into effect on May 4. The ordinance enabled the Securities & Futures Commission to establish the centre as its wholly owned subsidiary.

The centre’s website is now in operation. Replacing the commission’s InvestEd website, the new site provides the public with investor education information.