2019 Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Index Report Launch

Jack Guest executes HSBC’s vision of a true merit-based environment in which all employees can contribute and succeed regardless of personal diversity. He also focuses on ensuring HSBC’s customers have fair and equal access to products and services.

Prior to his current role, Jack specialised in providing financial expertise to expatriate customers seeking international mortgages and financial advisory services. Before that, Jack worked in various roles with HSBC in the UK, spanning Retail Banking, Commercial Banking and more.

As a founding member of Asia-Pacific’s LGBT network Pride in 2012, Jack has personally driven the inclusion agenda both internally and externally at HSBC, ensuring HSBC’s placement as #1 in Financial Services in Community Business’ Hong Kong Best Place to Work for LGBT+ Index in 2019.

Jack is HSBC Global Pride Co-chair and in 2016, was named Inclusion Champion of the Year by Community Business.

Jack joined HSBC in the UK in 2006 and was subsequently brought into the Management Academy Programme, which exposed him to a wide range of banking experience and opportunity.

Justin is a Dispute Resolution Partner at Linklaters in Hong Kong. He is a specialist in commercial litigation and arbitration, with a particular focus on China-related cross-border commercial disputes. He has significant experience in advising investment and commercial banks, listed corporations, Big 4 accountancy firms and the Hong Kong Government on complex commercial litigation (in jurisdictions such as Hong Kong, Singapore, PRC and the UK), cross-border regulatory and internal investigations and international commercial arbitration.

Justin has been endorsed as a Recommended Lawyer for Dispute Resolution by Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2019 where he is noted for ‘his sound knowledge' and for being 'efficient and goal oriented without engaging in excessive legalese’. A passionate advocate for inclusive and compassionate leadership, Justin is an executive sponsor of diversity and inclusion initiatives at the Firm and regularly facilitates events and dialogues on fostering an LGBT+ inclusive culture where everyone has equal opportunities.

Marla is the Diversity & Inclusion Lead for Asia Pacific, responsible for the execution and direction of the Thomson Reuters Diversity & Inclusion strategy globally, with special focus in the region. She partners with senior leaders to champion D&I, with HR to advance the company’s talent agenda, and with key business groups to integrate D&I in business operations. She also provides oversight for business resource groups and global volunteer network teams.

Previously, Marla has had over 20 years experience in corporate communications and PR -- at Thomson Reuters Manila responsible for strategy, communications, and corporate responsibility; at Intel Corporation as operations manager for the Asia Employee Communications group; and at San Miguel Corporation overseeing internal publications. She started as senior associate at Orendain & Associates Public Relations, where she was PR advisor to multinational banks, drug companies, and non-government organizations in the Philippines.

Nathalie is the Asia Managing Partner for Linklaters and a member of the executive committee of the firm. She has worked in London, Paris and Hong Kong over the course of a nearly 30-year career and is qualified as a lawyer in all three jurisdictions. As a manager, Nathalie is passionate about diversity and inclusion and has spoken both within the firm and at external events with Open for Business, OUT Leadership and other organisations on the importance of fostering a more inclusive culture for LGBT+ colleagues.

Patrick has been managing international mobility, benefits and employee shareholding for Société Générale Asia Pacific since 2015. He joined the SG APAC LGBT+ committee in 2016 and became its secretary in 2017. In this role, he has been responsible for two Community Business LGBT+ Inclusion Index submissions and has delivered a number of initiatives in Hong Kong and Asia Pacific to promote LGBT+ inclusion and equal treatment within the Bank.

Prior to that, Patrick lived for 18 years in London where he worked in tax and HR roles in consulting, IT and finance. Patrick is a postgraduate in tax law from Université Paris II / HEC business school and from University College London.

Adrienne is Programme Manager, LGBT+ and Disability Campaign, based in Hong Kong. She provides support for the development of strategy and the execution of Community Business’ LGBT+ and Disability campaigns.

Adrienne was a member of LGBT+ oriented clubs and volunteered for a disabled sporting NGO whilst at university in the USA. She relocated to Hong Kong in 2016. Prior to joining Community Business, she worked as a Project Assistant at an NGO in Hong Kong, which provides legal assistance to domestic workers in need. She worked on special projects, including the integration of a new customer relationship management system, and the development of an interactive educational programme for secondary school students. Her university experience and work in Hong Kong strengthened her drive to work for social justice and inclusion.

Fern Ngai is Chief Executive Officer of Community Business, a Hong Kong based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing responsible and inclusive business practices. With over fifteen years of experience in harnessing the power of business to drive social change, Community Business has an established reputation as a thought leader and trusted partner in corporate social responsibility and diversity and inclusion in Asia. Community Business conducts pioneering research, facilitates networks and events, leads impactful campaigns and provides training and consultancy services.

Fern joined Community Business 7 years ago and under her leadership, the organisation has expanded its products and services, established a subsidiary in India, and has launched the ground-breaking Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Index and annual Awards. Fern is a Steering Committee member of the 30% Club Hong Kong which believes in collaborative, concerted business-led efforts to help accelerate progress towards gender parity on Hong Kong corporate boards. She was also a finalist in the 2017 Telstra Business Woman in Asia Award.

Originally from Canada, Fern has over 40 years of broad experience in financial services, technology, change management, and in workplace diversity and community programmes. She held leadership roles in the human resources, technology and operations, governance, and corporate affairs functions at Standard Chartered Bank and was its first diversity and inclusion champion for Hong Kong. She volunteers as a board director of KELY Support Group, a Hong Kong charity dedicated to supporting young people.