DIRECTORS
At the date of this report, the Company has four executive Directors, three non-executive Directors and four independent non-executive Directors. Their biographical details are set out below:
Executive Directors
Mr. Zhang Jimin – Chairman
Mr. Zhang, aged 69, the founder of the Group, is currently the Chairman and executive Director of the Company. He is responsible mainly for the Group’s overall strategic planning and investment decisions. Mr. Zhang is also a director of a number of the Group’s subsidiaries including West China BVI, Shaanxi Yaobai, Lantian Yaobai, Ankang Yaobai, Xiushan Yaobai, Xian Yaobai and Longqiao Yaobai.
Mr. Zhang has more than 28 years of experience in the cement industry. He was the factory manager of the Shaanxi Province Pucheng County Hanjing Town Second Cement Factory (one of the predecessors of our production facility in Pucheng) from 1985 to December 1990 and the manager of the Pucheng County Hanjing Town Cement Factory (another predecessor of our production facility in Pucheng) thereafter. These two small cement facilities represent the origins of West China Cement, demonstrating the growth of the Group under the management of Mr. Zhang.
Mr. Zhang has actively participated in various cement technology development projects and from 1992 to 1994 , he led the development of low heat slag cement and moderate-heat Portland cement, winning the Second Grade Science and Technology Progress Prize issued by the Government of Shaanxi Province.
Mr. Zhang also holds several industry associations and political positions. He is the Chairman of the Shaanxi Province Cement Association, an industry association jointly established by The Raw Materials Division of The Industry and Information Technology Department of Shaanxi Province and various cement production enterprises in Shaanxi, holding this position since December 2009. As the Chairman of the Shaanxi Province Cement Association, Mr. Zhang promotes information exchange between cement enterprises in Shaanxi, leading the association to formulate a self-regulatory regime, maintaining fair market competition, providing technology and human resources and assisting the Shaanxi Government in regulating the cement industry in Shaanxi Province. Mr. Zhang was also a Xi’an City representative of the 11th Standing Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Congress and participated in the plenary sessions of the 11th Standing Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Congress for discussion and approval of various matters in relation to the political and economical development of Shaanxi Province. Mr. Zhang was also the Vice President of the China Cement Association.
Through these social positions, Mr. Zhang is able to maintain close contact with industry partners and local government so as to keep abreast of the latest development of the cement industry and government policies. Mr. Zhang received professional training in economic management from Peking University in July 2001.
Mr. Cao Jianshun – Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Cao, aged 51, was appointed as an executive Director and chief executive officer on 2 February 2023. Mr. Cao graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics management from Party School of Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the C.P.C (中共陝西省委黨校) and a master’s degree in business administration from Northwest University in China. Mr. Cao has extensive management and technical experience in the building materials industry in China. He joined Yaobai Special Cement Group Co., Ltd. (the “Yaobai Group”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, in March 1994 and has held various key positions successively, including (i) director of Cement Machinery Factory of Yaobai Group from January 1997 to August 2005; (ii) director of No. 1 Cement Factory of Pucheng Yaobai Special Cement Co., Ltd. (蒲城堯柏特種水泥有限公司) (the “Pucheng Yaobai”) from August 2005 to June 2008; (iii) manager of Ankang Yaobai Cement Co., Ltd. (安康市堯柏水泥有限公司) from June 2008 to December 2012; and (iv) general manager in the Ankang Region of Yaobai Group from January 2013 to December 2015. Besides, Mr. Cao served as general manager of Chzhungtsai Mohir Cement LLC (中材國際莫伊爾水泥有限責任公司) from January 2016 to December 2018 and vice president of International Cement Investment Management Company (國際水泥投資管理公司) from January 2019 to January 2023. He has been the chairman and president of Yaobai Group since January 2023. With extensive experience in the building materials industry, Mr. Cao won the “Shaanxi Provincial Building Materials Industry Advanced Individual” award.
Mr. Chu Yufeng – Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Chu, aged 46, was appointed as an executive Director on 2 February 2023. Mr. Chu graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international accounting from Xi’an JiaoTong University in June 1999 and a master’s degree in business administration from an international business program jointly organised by Maastricht School of Management of Netherlands and Independent University of Bangladesh in June 2005. Mr. Chu has extensive experience in financial management. He joined the Group in July 2012 and has held various key positions successively, including (i) deputy director of finance department of Yaobai Group from July 2012 to July 2013; (ii) supervisor of internal audit department of Yaobai Group from August 2013 to July 2014; (iii) director of finance department of Yaobai Group from August 2014 to December 2016; (iv) general manager of finance department of Yaobai Group from January 2017 to December 2019; (v) chairman of Xi’an Guangxin Microfinance Co., Ltd. (西安光信小額貸款有限公司) from January 2019 to December 2021; and (vi) vice president of Yaobai Group from January 2020 to December 2021. He has been the chief financial officer of the Company and the vice president of West Holding since January 2020 and January 2022, respectively. Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Chu served as accountant of Shaanxi Import and Export Corporation (陝西省進出口公司) from October 1999 to July 2002; chief financial officer of Sino-Bangladesh Ceramic Industry Co., Ltd. (中孟陶瓷工業有限公司) from November 2002 to October 2007; finance manager of Cooper Xi’an Fusegear Limited Company (庫柏西安熔斷器有限公司) from November 2007 to August 2008; finance manager of Xi’an Branch of IBM China Investment Co., Ltd (國際商業機器(中國)投資有限公司) from September 2008 to October 2010; and deputy finance director of Fuping Branch of Italcementi Group (義大利水泥集團) from October 2010 to June 2012. Mr. Chu is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Ms. Wang Rui – Vice Chair and Party Secretary (Yaobai Group)
Ms. Wang, aged 45, is the vice chair and Party secretary of the general branch of Yaobai Special Cement Group Co., Ltd. (the ‘‘Yaobai Group’’), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. She has held the position since January 2023 and is primarily responsible for overseeing the market management, procurement, logistics, and other operations of the Yaobai Group. Ms. Wang obtained a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Management and Technology in June 2018. She joined the Group in December 1998 and held several positions, including: (i) manager of general administration of Pucheng Yaobai Special Cement Co., Ltd (蒲城堯柏特種水泥公司) from December 1998 to December 2006; (ii) assistant general manager of Xi’an Lantian Yaobai Cement Co., Ltd. (西安藍田堯柏水泥有限公司) from January 2007 to August 2008; (iii) assistant general manager of Xi’an Yaobai Material Co., Ltd. (西安市堯柏物資有限公司) (the ‘‘Yaobai Material’’) from January 2007 to August 2008; (iv) chief administration officer of Yaobai Group from July 2009 to June 2010; (v) deputy general manager of sales department of Yaobai Group from July 2010 to September 2010; (vi) general manager of Yaobai Material from October 2010 to January 2015; (vii) vice president of Yaobai Group from January 2018 to December 2019; and (viii) the chief executive officer of the Yaobai Group from January 2020 to December 2022. She has won several rewards, such as being recognized as a Highlevel Talent in Xi’an (西安市高層次人才), Outstanding Communist Party Member of the Ministry of Industry and Information of Shaanxi Province (陝西省工信廳中共優秀共產黨員), and Outstanding Entrepreneur of National Building Material Industry (全國建材行業優秀企業家).
Non-executive Directors
Mr. Ma Zhaoyang
Mr. Ma, aged 55, was appointed as a non-executive Director of the Company on 29 July 2010. Mr. Ma received a master’s degree in management from Northwestern Polytechnic University in May 1998. Mr. Ma has been a professor of management at Northwestern Polytechnic University in Shaanxi, China since 1996. In view of his academic knowledge and extensive experience in strategic planning, Mr. Ma was appointed a non-executive Director of the Company and assumes an advisory role with the Company in respect of the overall strategic planning and operation of its business. Mr. Ma has been the chairman and director of International Cement Group Ltd., a company listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange since November 2015.
Mr. Fan Zhan
Mr. Fan, aged 38, was appointed as a non-executive Director of the Company on 7 June 2023, and he is a senior accountant. Mr. Fan graduated from Tongling University (銅陵學院) in accounting in July 2006. Mr. Fan has extensive experience in finance and investment management. He is currently a deputy head of financial department in Anhui Conch Cement Company Limited (安徽海螺水泥股份有限公司) (the “Conch Cement”) and an executive director of China Conch Environment Protection Holdings Limited (中國海螺環保控股有限公司), whose shares are listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange (stock code: 0587). Prior to that, he served as an accountant and the financial head of Anhui Tongling Conch Cement Co., Ltd. (安徽銅陵海螺水泥有限公司) from July 2006 to March 2007 and from March 2007 to March 2008, respectively. From March 2008 to October 2017, Mr. Fan held various positions at Conch Cement, including (i) an accountant from March 2008 to December 2009; (ii) the head of the financial department from December 2009 to March 2011; and (iii) the assistant to department director from March 2011 to October 2017.
Mr. Wang Zhixin
Mr. Wang, aged 50, was appointed as a non-executive Director of the Company on 10 January 2024. Mr. Wang has obtained legal advice on 10 January 2024, prior to his appointment becoming effective, as referred to in Listing Rules 3.09D. He has confirmed his understanding of his obligations as a director of the Company. Mr. Wang graduated with a bachelor’s degree in inorganic non-metallic materials from Wuhan University of Technology (武漢理工大學) in June 2014. Mr. Wang has extensive experience in cement production management and external communication. From June 2004 to July 2014, he held various key positions at Anhui Huaining Conch Cement Co., Ltd. (安徽懷寧海螺水泥有限公司), including (i) assistant to the factory director of the manufacturing branch from June 2004 to January 2006; (ii) deputy factory director of the manufacturing branch from February 2006 to March 2008; (iii) factory director of the manufacturing branch from March 2008 to June 2009; (iv) assistant to general manager from June 2009 to February 2011; and (v) deputy general manager from February 2011 to July 2014. From July 2014 to August 2020, Mr. Wang held two positions in Baoji Zhongxi Jinlinghe Cement Co., Ltd. (寶雞市眾喜金陵河水泥有限公司), including (i) executive deputy general manager from July 2014 to December 2015; and (ii) general manager from December 2015 to August 2020. From August 2020 to April 2023, Mr. Wang served as deputy director of the Shaanxi-Gansu Regional Committee of Anhui Conch Cement Company Limited (安徽海螺水泥股份有限公司) (the “Conch Cement”), general manager of Pingliang Conch Cement Co., Ltd. (平涼海螺水泥有限責任公司) and Secretary of the Party Committee and general manager of Hami Hongyi Building Materials Co., Ltd. (哈密弘毅建材有限責任公司). Mr. Wang has been the executive president of Shaanxi-Gansu Region of Conch Cement since October 2021.
Independent non-executive Directors
Mr. Lee Kong Wai Conway
Mr. Lee, aged 69, was appointed as an independent non-executive Director of the Company on 29 July 2010. Mr. Lee serves as Chairman of the audit committee of the Company, member of the remuneration committee of the Company, and also member of the nomination committee of the Company. He is mainly responsible for reviewing and advising the financial reporting process, audit process, internal control and risk management systems of the Group and providing independent advice to the Board on various financial and corporate governance matters.
Mr. Lee received a bachelor’s degree in arts from Kingston University (formerly known as Kingston Polytechnic) in London in July 1980 and further obtained his postgraduate diploma in business from Curtin University of Technology in Australia in February 1988. Mr. Lee served as a partner of Ernst & Young over the past 29 years and held key leadership positions in the development of such firm in China. Mr. Lee is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Macau Society of Registered Accountants. Mr. Lee currently also serves as an independent non-executive director of Chaowei Power Holdings Limited, China Modern Dairy Holdings Limited, NVC Lighting Holding Limited, Yashili International Holdings Limited and Guotai Junan Securities Limited, companies listed on the main board of the HKSE and Intchains Group Limited, a company listed on the NASDAQ, since July 2010, November 2010, November 2012, November 2013 and April 2017 and March 2023, respectively. He was also an independent non-executive director of China Taiping Insurance Holdings Company Limited, Merry Garden Holdings Limited, Citic Securities Company Limited, Tibet Water Resources Ltd., China Rundong Auto Group Limited, WH Group Limited and Gome Electrical Appliances Holding Limited, companies which are listed on the main board of the HKSE, from October 2009 to August 2013, from July 2014 to September 2015, from November 2011 to May 2016, from March 2011 to February 2020, from August 2014 to December 2020, from August 2014 to June 2022 and from March 2011 to September 2023, respectively, and Sino Vanadium Inc., which was listed on TSX Venture Exchange in Canada, between October 2009 and December 2011. Mr. Lee was appointed as a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference of Hunan Province in China from 2007 to December 2017.
Mr. Zhu Dong
Mr. Zhu, aged 62, was appointed as an independent non-executive Director of the Company on 15 July 2019. Mr. Zhu graduated in 1982 from Guangxi University with a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering and he finished a program of Master of Business Administration held by Tsinghua University in 1996. Mr. Zhu has approximately 30 years of experience in capital markets and corporate financing involving securities origination, underwriting and placing of equities and equity-linked products, mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring and reorganizations and other general corporate advisory activities. From August 1982 to November 1992, Mr. Zhu worked at various departments in the PRC government. He served as a senior manager at the Peregrine Investment Group form May 1994 to May 1998. He was the managing director at the BMP Paribas Capital (Asia Pacific) Limited form May 1998 to July 2011. Form September 2011 to May 2016, he was the managing director of Nomura International (Hong Kong) Limited. Mr. Zhu is currently an independent non-executive director of HPC Holdings Limited, a company listed on the Stock Exchange.
Mr. Tam King Ching Kenny
Mr. Tam, aged 74, was appointed as an independent non-executive Director of the Company on 29 July 2010. Mr. Tam serves as chairman of remuneration committee of the Company and also the members of the audit committee and nomination committee of the Company. He is mainly responsible for overseeing the policy and structure of the remuneration for Directors and senior management of the Company. He is also responsible for monitoring the Company’s performance in achieving agreed corporate goals and objectives, and taking the lead where potential conflicts of interest arise.
Mr. Tam received a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the Concordia University in November 1975. He is a practising Certified Public Accountant in Hong Kong. He is a fellow member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, Canada. Mr. Tam is a past member of the Restructuring and Insolvency Faculty Executive Committee in the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is also a past president of The Society of Chinese Accountants and Auditors. Mr. Tam has also served as an independent non-executive director of five other listed companies on the main board of the HKSE, namely, Kingmaker Footwear Holdings Limited, Capital Industrial Financial Services Group Limited, Starlite Holdings Limited, BeijingWest Industries International Limited and Wisdom Education International Holdings Company Limited, since May 1994, February 1996, July 2004, January 2014 and January 2017, respectively. He was also an independent non-executive director of CCT Fortis Holdings Limited, Greater Bay Area Investments Group Holdings Limited and Hong Kong Shanghai Alliance Holdings Limited, from December 1999 to June 2022, from February 2016 to September 2022 and from September 2004 to August 2023, respectively.
Mr. Feng Tao
Mr. Feng, aged 67, was appointed as an independent non-executive Director of the Company on 28 February 2023. Mr. Feng graduated with a bachelor’s degree in geophysics from Chang’an University (長安大學) (formerly known as Xi’an Institute of Technology 西安工程學院) in June 1982 and a doctorate degree in economics from Xi’an Jiaotong University (西安交通大學) (formerly known as Shaanxi Institute of Finance & Economics 陝西財經學院) in June 1997.
Mr. Feng has extensive teaching and research experience in the field of economics. He worked at Shaanxi Institute of Finance & Economic (陝西財經學院) and held various key positions between July 1986 to July 2000, including (i) head of teaching-research department from December 1986 to June 1990; (ii) deputy head of economics department from September 1990 to June 1992; (iii) head of economics department from September 1992 to July 2000; (iv) associate professor from October 1992 to June 1997; and (v) professor from June 1997 to July 2000. In 2000, Xi’an Jiaotong University (西安交通大學), Xi’an Medical University (西安醫科大學) and Shaanxi Institute of Finance and Economics (陝西財經學院) merged and established the School of Economics and Finance of Xi’an Jiaotong University (西安交通大學經濟與金融學院). Mr. Feng worked at the School of Economics and Finance of Xi’an Jiaotong University (西安交通大學經濟與金融學院) and held various key positions successively from July 2000 to March 2022, including (i) deputy dean from July 2000 to June 2004; and (ii) doctoral supervisor in the field of international economics and investment from September 2000 to March 2022. Mr. Feng retired from the School of Economics and Finance of Xi’an Jiaotong University (西安交通大學經濟與金融學院) in March 2022. Currently Mr. Feng is a member of fiscal and finance team of Shaanxi Provincial Government Decision-making Consultation Committee and the team leader of fiscal and finance team of Xi’an City Decision-Making Consultation Committee.
In recent years, Mr. Feng has presided over various projects of the National Social Science Fund of China (國家社會科學基金), key projects of the Ministry of Education, and other provincial and ministerial-level projects. Besides, he has published eight monographs and textbooks, and published more than 120 papers in journals such as Economics Quarterly, The Economist, and Financial Research.
SENIOR MANAGEMENT
West China Cement Limited
Mr. Chan King Sau – Financial Controller and Company Secretary
Mr. Chan, aged 46, joined the Company on 1 June 2010. Mr. Chan was an assistant financial controller of the Company before being appointed as chief financial officer of the Company. He was also appointed as the company secretary of the Company in June 2012. In January 2020, Mr. Chan was designated as the financial controller of the Company. From September 2000 to August 2008, Mr. Chan worked for Ernst & Young, in a range of positions including staff accountant, senior accountant and manager. From September 2008 to October 2009, Mr. Chan worked for Nineyou International Limited, an online game operator as chief financial officer and company secretary. He graduated from University of Hong Kong with a bachelor’s degree in finance in November 2000. Mr. Chan is a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.