Bulletin Number Two 1987

Mr. William Charles Langdon Brown, OBE Until as recently as two years ago when election to the Legislative Council was first conducted, Hong Kong's legislature was made up entirely o f men and women who had been invited by His Excellency the Governor to serve. In the normal course o f events, such people would have distinguished themselves earlier in life not only w ithin their chosen professions but also in community service. Be that as it may, the position o f Legislative Councillors was not and is not an easy one. In any normal year, the legislative pro­ gramme by itse lf would have been quite daunting even when consensus politics was the rule rather than the exception. During the two years when Hong Kong's future was under negotiation between Her Majesty's Government and the People's Republic o f China, the amount o f work which came the way o f Legislative Councillors and the amount o f pressure they were put under would have proved too much but for men o f stamina and dedication. We were fortunate indeed in having William Charles Langdon Brown in the Legislative Council when the local currency was put to the most severe test, when the insolvency o f certain banks was threatening to throw the whole banking system into crisis, and when issues which could affect the general prosperity o f our community were put before the House. As a member o f the Banking Advisory Com­ mittee and o f the Exchange Fund Advisory Com­ mittee, he made a significant contribution by keeping a steady hand and a level head during some o f the most trying times in our history. William Brown was particularly well placed to give advice to the Hong Kong Government when it needed it most. Born in London in 1931 ， he has made a life-long career in banking, mostly in this part o f the world, and had become the chief executive o f the Standard Chartered Bank in Hong Kong when he was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1980. Bringing w ith him the pragmatism o f a banker and the liberal disposition o f an arts patron, he was able to steer a middle course w ithin the Council Chamber, the voice o f reason and reasonableness that has won him many friends and supporters, both inside and outside Government circles. William Brown has held so many public offices and rendered so much service to the community that it would need a list of some pages to do him justice. Besides serving on the Legislative Council and many of its committees from 1980 to 1986 ， he has also contributed much time and energy to the Council for the Performing Arts, the Community Chest o f Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Mass Transit Railway Corporation and the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association. During various times, he had served as Chairman o f the Hong Kong Asso­ ciation o f Banks, that body which regulates interest rates, the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Cor­ poration Advisory Board, which determines the poli­ cies o f the HKECIC, the Special Committee on Land Supply and the Hong Kong Academy o f Ballet, all o f them major public offices which demanded o f him both time and close attention. William Brown's association w ith the University began in 1979 w ith his appointment to the University Council. From 1982 un til 1986, he was Chairman o f the Appointments Board and in that capacity gave invaluable guidance to the University's appointments service in the provision o f career advice to our gradu­ ates and students. He was also a member o f the University's Finance Committee which looks after the University's finances, among them the one thing which is very close to my heart —the superannuation fund o f all members o f staff. When Mr. Brown le ft Hong Kong to become the Senior General Manager o f the Asia Pacific Region o f the Standard Chartered Bank, the University missed his good sense, good humour and ready counsel. We are glad, however, to be able to honour him today in a way which is open to the University. Mr. Chancellor, it is our pleasure to present to you William Charles Langdon Brown, respected banker, former Legislative Councillor, public figure who has devoted much time and energy to enhancing the quality o f our artistic life in Hong Kong, and above all, a friend and supporter o f the University, for the award o f the degree o f Doctor o f Social Science, honoris causa. 6 NEWS