Doubts aired over future of Hong Kong’s technology industry amid staff exodus at Science Park
Concerns about new management direction and rental increases feed discontent, Post learns
A chorus of concerns has been voiced over the positioning of Hong Kong’s flagship platform for promoting the technology industry, which under new management has been losing staff and failing to attract tenants, the Post has learned.
Fifteen years since Hong Kong Science Park opened its doors, deep doubts linger about its strategic positioning, both in attracting talent and the kind of clusters it wants to form at the sprawling Sha Tin site.
Staff have been exiting for a variety of reasons, and insiders told the Post on condition of anonymity that many were at odds with the direction taken by CEO Albert Wong Hak-keung, who took over from his popular predecessor Allen Ma in August last year.
At least 40 to 50 staff of its 220-member management team, including senior figures such as the chief officers for marketing, commercial affairs, operations and project development have left the company since the end of last year, according to a source close to management. Some positions have since been filled.
“Many had subscribed to [former CEO] Allen Ma’s vision, but since he left, everything seems to be falling apart,” the source said.
Vacant space at the site has been on the rise. From 370,000 square feet left available last February, the figure as of August stands at 500,000 sq ft, according to the source, accounting for about 15 per cent of the total floor area of about 3.5 million sq ft.