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SCMP Reporter

The South China Morning Post’s chief executive officer, Robin Hu, is stepping down from his post to join Temasek International, part of Singapore’s state-owned ­company Temasek Holdings in December.
Hu, who is departing eight months after steering the Post’s transfer of ownership to the ­Alibaba Group, will serve as a director of the SCMP board.
Alibaba, the world’s largest ­e-commerce company, bought the newspaper from the Kuok Group in April.
The Post’s chairman, Joe Tsai, who invited Hu to sit on the board, thanked him for his leadership over the past four years, crediting him with being “instrumental in driving the digital transformation of the SCMP”.

The pair worked closely over the past months as Alibaba assumed “ownership of a prized heritage”, said Tsai, who is also Alibaba executive vice-chairman.
In a letter to colleagues, Tsai said the pair spent time together on business plans, budgets, people and, most importantly, giving “clarity to a vision of the SCMP that respects its legacy but at the same time looks to the future amid times of technology disruption and economic uncertainty”.
“It has been an absolute privilege for me to work with such a fine gentleman, someone who approaches everything with wisdom, thoughtfulness and class,” he said, adding that he would work with Hu to recruit his ­replacement.
I feel that I can better serve the company by taking on a strategic advisory role and supporting fresh leadership that can marshal the troops to rise to the occasion
Robin Hu
“I want to let you know that it will be business as usual at the SCMP,” Tsai wrote as he ­expressed confidence in senior management.
“I have also had the pleasure of spending time with many of our editors and journalists in the newsroom and am extremely confident that we are in good hands under Tammy’s leadership,” he said, referring to editor-in-chief Tammy Tam.
The Post was now capable of round-the-clock reporting and 24/7 publishing, with a new ­mobile app that accommodates readers’ desire for news on the go, he said.
“Our global readership ­continues to grow because of new methods of digital distribution,” he added.

Hu, an IT and media veteran, will join Temasek International, whose parent company Temasek Holdings owns stakes in Alibaba, as joint head of a new group called the Sustain­ability and Stewardship Group. When announcing the formation of the group in April, ­Temasek said it was part of structural long-term changes meant to align its core priorities in challenging global times.
In his letter to staff announcing his decision, Hu thanked them for their full cooperation as he rolled out the company’s digitisation. Listing the changes that the Post had overcome over the past four years to provide cross-platform round-the-clock reporting, he also cited its new businesses such as events, outdoor advertising and contract publishing as well as the stepping up of corporate social responsibility ­programmes.
“In doing all these, we ­remained profitable in spite of challenges facing the media industry,” he said.
The Post was on the cusp of a great transformation and, with it, immense possibilities, Hu said. Alibaba, as the Post’s new owner, was committed to “taking the company and its marquee masthead on a par with the world’s best”, he said.
I want to let you know that it will be business as usual at the SCMP … Our global readership continues to grow because of new methods of digital distribution.
Joe Tsai


SCMP Group CEO Robin Hu to step down

Robin Hu will relinquish his role as chief executive officer of the South China Morning Post in December. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Alibaba Group Executive Vice-Chairman Joe Tsai at the SCMP Town Hall Meeting at Excelsior Hotel in Causeway Bay. 24MAR16 SCMP/Jonathan Wong

South China Morning Post Leighton Office. 14DEC15 SCMP/ Dickson Lee

Letter to readers of the South China Morning Post, from Alibaba's executive vice chairman 

Our vision is to grow the readership globally, says Alibaba's executive vice chairman, Joseph Tsai. Photo: Reuters

Alibaba’s Jack Ma reveals why he bought the South China Morning Post and what he wants to do with it

Alibaba founder Jack Ma in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. Photo: Sam Tsang

Screen grab shows the headline on South China Morning Post website on Alibaba buys the Group’s media business. 11DEC15 SCMP Pictures

Alibaba buys South China Morning Post Group’s media business, pledges to uphold editorial independence and remove paywall

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Robin Hu will join Singapore’s state-owned ­company Temasek International at end of year


Breaking | SCMP Group CEO Robin Hu to step down

Robin Hu will join Singapore’s state-owned company Temasek International at end of year

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Breaking | SCMP Group CEO Robin Hu to step down

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Robin Hu will join Singapore’s state-owned ­company Temasek International at end of year

Breaking | SCMP Group CEO Robin Hu to step down

Robin Hu will join Singapore’s state-owned company Temasek International at end of year