Hong Kong, 23 October 2019: The Hong Kong Trustees’ Association (HKTA) awarded 33 practitioners with the Certified Trust PractitionerTM (CTP) designation yesterday at a presentation ceremony attended by Mr James Lau, Secretary of Financial Services and the Treasury of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 24 candidates were also acknowledged for their successful completion of the Trust Training Certificate (TTC), a professional qualification for trust practitioners delivered jointly by the HKTA and the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute (HKSI Institute).
The CTP, Hong Kong’s first accreditation programme for the trust and fiduciary services industry, was launched by the HKTA in August 2018. The CTP designation is awarded to individual members of the HKTA who satisfy the requirements prescribed by the association. Trust industry participants who have completed the TTC programme and satisfied the experience and membership requirements can apply to become a CTP. Trust industry veterans with more than 10 years’ experience may also apply for this professional designation through the Experienced Practitioners Exemption route.
“Supporting the development of the industry and promoting high standards of professionalism, corporate governance and regulatory compliance are the mandates of the HKTA,” said Ms Jacqueline Shek, Chairman of the HKTA. “We are committed to developing talent within the industry in Hong Kong and the CTP designation and TTC course are two of our many initiatives to advance the competencies of our practitioners. We envisage that the CTP accreditation will quickly become recognised by the public and by prospective employers as a benchmark professional designation amongst trust service providers in Hong Kong,” Ms Shek explained.
“Our heartiest congratulations to the CTP and TTC holders for their remarkable achievements. The HKSI Institute is a strong advocate of continuous learning, and we look forward to promoting the TTC to the wider financial services community,” said Ms Katherine Ng, Chairman of the HKSI Institute.
The TTC programme is open to anyone who would like to know more about trust-related topics, and as of to date, more than 200 practitioners have attended one or more units of the TTC programme. The programme comprises of a two-part training courses and examinations. The first part covers seven compulsory units that include types of trusts, its administration and management, estate planning vehicles, compliance and trust jurisdictions; while the second part covers specialised topics on either private trusts or collective investment scheme and retirement schemes.
“We are pleased to partner with the HKSI Institute in developing the TTC programme and are grateful to have their support in effectively administering the programme and designing its training course and examination framework,” Ms Shek added.
TTC is one of the approved courses under the Financial Incentive Scheme (FIS) of the WAM Pilot Programme, a government funded pilot programme to enhance talent training for the Asset and Wealth Management sector. Eligible practitioners who have completed TTC may apply for reimbursement up to $7,000 under the FIS.
For more information about the CTP and the TTC, please visit http://hktrustees.com/accreditation.
(From left to right) Miss Ruth Kung, Chief Executive of HKSI Institute; Ms Jacqueline Shek, Chairman of HKTA; Mr James Lau, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Government of the HKSAR; Ms Katherine Ng, Chairman of HKSI Institute; Ms Lau Ka Shi, Vice Chairman of HKTA; and Ms Carolyn Butler, Chairman of the Education Subcommittee of HKTA at the presentation ceremony yesterday.
Mr Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Government of the HKSAR flanked by Ms Jacqueline Shek, Chairman of HKTA (left) and Ms Lau Ka Shi, Vice Chairman of HKTA (right) at the HKTA Conference that was held on the afternoon of 22 October 2019.
About Hong Kong Trustees’ Association
The Hong Kong Trustees’ Association is the premier independent body representing the trust and fiduciary services industry in Hong Kong. Membership provides a forum for members to network with other trust and associated industry practitioners. Our mission is : (1) To represent the trust industry in promoting high standards of professionalism and corporate governance; (2) to contribute towards advancing the status of Hong Kong trust professionals and the industry internationally; (3) to represent the industry to the government, the media, local and international professional bodies and the public in promoting Hong Kong as an international trust and fiduciary services centre; and (4) to promote high standards for the industry by the issuance of Best Practice Guides applicable to corporate trusts, pension schemes, private trusts and charitable trusts.
About Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute
The Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute (HKSI Institute) is a professional membership organisation established in 1997 by leaders in the securities and investment industry with the support of the Securities and Futures Commission. The HKSI Institute champions professional standards of excellence in Hong Kong’s financial services industry and contributes to Hong Kong’s role as a leading international financial centre. We offer a comprehensive programme of high quality professional training, events and internationally recognised examinations, and a vibrant membership community to empower individuals to achieve their professional goals.