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SCMP Reporter

HONGKONG Bank chairman, John Gray, was appointed yesterday to the Executive Council to replace his predecessor, Sir William Purves.

  Mr Gray will join the council immediately with no fixed term for the appointment.

  The Governor, Chris Patten, said: ''I am very pleased to welcome John Gray to the Executive Council. His wide experience in business and finance, and his impressive record of public service, will enable him to provide the impartial and authoritative advice which is characteristic of the Executive Council.''   But government spokesman Mike Hanson rejected suggestions that Mr Patten had reserved a council seat for a Hongkong Bank official.

  He said Mr Gray was appointed in his personal capacity.

  Mr Gray said he was honoured to take the appointment and would contribute on financial matters.

  He said it was difficult for him to comment on the Sino-British row over Hong Kong reform plans before he took up his new post, but he hoped the talks would come to a successful end.

   Legislators welcomed the appointment.

  United Democrat legislator, Cheung Man-kwong, said it was natural for the Governor to appoint someone from Hongkong Bank - the most important player in the banking industry - to sit in his inner cabinet.

  He said the appointment would serve to stabilise the territory's economy.

  Although it might be a good idea to name a Chinese banker to the top advisory body, that did not imply replacing the representative from Hongkong Bank.

  Liberal Party legislator, Lau Wah-sum, said it was entirely up to the Governor to decide who should be his personal advisers.

  He said it was natural for the Governor to appoint someone who had similar opinions.

  Mr Lau said he believed that the Governor had appointed Mr Gray because of his talents rather than his position in Hongkong Bank.

  Mr Gray is chairman of the Port Development Board, a member of the Provisional Airport Authority, a member of the Governor's Business Council and the chairman of the University of Hong Kong Business School.

  He was born in Hong Kong in 1934 and educated in Sydney and Scotland.

  Mr Gray, the third generation of his family to serve with the bank, joined in 1952.

  In May, 1990, Mr Gray was appointed deputy chairman.

  In January, last year, he was appointed chief executive of the bank and deputy chairman of Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Holdings plc.

  He was named chairman in January.

  Sir William moves to London next month.



Bank chairman gets Exco post