SIMON Murray, the man who helped tycoon Li Ka-shing turn Hutchison Whampoa into one of Hong Kong's major companies, resigned as its managing director yesterday.
Hutchison said Mr Murray, a 53-year-old French Foreign Legion veteran, was stepping down after nine years ''to take up another position in the region'' - thought to be with Deutsche Bank in Singapore.
His departure, predicted for some time after disappointing results in the United Kingdom, sparked a major management reshuffle.
Executive director Canning Fok takes over from Mr Murray as managing director with Mr Li's son, Richard, becoming deputy chairman.
The outgoing deputy chairman, George Magnus, becomes chairman of Hongkong Electric, but continues as an executive director with Hutchison. Mr Li was also named a director of Hongkong Electric.
Mr Murray was unavailable for comment last night, but his departure appears amicable. The Hutchison statement said he would become a non-executive director and a consultant to the board of directors.
He began his career with Hutchison in 1984, taking over from Australian corporate doctor Bill Wyllie.