Chairman (Session 26/27)
Ir Richard LEE
It is my great honour to be elected Chairman of the Building Division for Session 2026/2027. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all members for your trust and support. I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to serve the Division at a time when the building and construction industry is undergoing profound transformation, both locally and regionally.
I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our Immediate Past Chairman, Ir Cedric Chan, for his dedicated leadership and invaluable contributions during the past session. His efforts have strengthened the Division’s foundation, and I am committed to building upon this momentum as we navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.
This session, the Building Division will continue to pursue its core vision of “Nurturing Young Engineers” by placing renewed emphasis on supporting the development of young engineers, facilitating their career progression, and inspiring the next generation to join our profession. At the same time, we are guided by the HKIE President’s theme, “Connect Minds, Empower Tomorrow 匯聚智慧、創建明天”, together with the rolling Three-Year Strategic Plan, which is built around three interdependent pillars: Sustainability, Evolution, and Engagement. In alignment with these directions, the Building Division will actively translate these strategic priorities into meaningful initiatives that benefit our members and the wider community.
Under the pillar of Sustainability, we will promote best practices in low-carbon design, sustainable materials, sustainable construction and resilient infrastructure. Under Evolution, we will embrace emerging technologies—particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digitalisation—to enhance productivity, foster innovation, and strengthen professional competence, in line with the Institution’s commitment to advancing technological frontiers. Under Engagement, we will continue to strengthen partnerships with industry stakeholders, government, academia, and our members, fostering meaningful dialogue and encouraging both cross-regional and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Hong Kong stands at a critical juncture. The development of the Northern Metropolis, aligned with the national “15th Five-Year Plan”(十五五”規劃”), presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape our built environment, deepen cross-boundary integration, and support the city’s long-term economic growth. As building engineers, we value this opportunity and have a vital role to play in transforming these aspirations into practical, high-quality, and resilient developments by embracing the principles of Sustainability, Evolution, and Engagement, thereby creating lasting value for both society and future generations.
Notwithstanding these advancements, safety must remain our top priority. As projects become larger, more complex, and increasingly fast-tracked, we must reinforce a strong culture of safety excellence throughout every stage of the project lifecycle—from design and planning to construction and operation. The Division will continue to advocate best practices in safety management, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance, while promoting innovations that enhance both worker safety and public well-being.
I am confident that, with your continued support and active participation, we can build a stronger, more innovative, resilient, and sustainable future for our profession and our community. Together, let us embrace the opportunities ahead and continue to make meaningful contributions to Hong Kong’s built environment and the engineering profession.
Ir Richard LEE
Chairman (Session 2026/2027)
Building Division, The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers