Biography

Dr Patrick Sun Cheong Poon is a pioneering actuary, distinguished business leader, and committed philanthropist whose lifelong contributions to professional services, education, and the community have left a lasting impact in Hong Kong and beyond.

Dr Poon holds a BSc (Honours) from the University of Hong Kong and was the first Hong Kong-born citizen to be accredited with full professional actuarial qualifications by the Institute of Actuaries in the UK in 1975. His professional career spans over 40 years in the life insurance and financial services industry, including top leadership positions at multinational corporations across the Asia Pacific Region and Greater China. After retiring from executive duties in 2011, he has continued to shape the business and nonprofit landscapes through board positions and philanthropic leadership.

A steadfast supporter of his alma mater, Dr Poon has played an instrumental role in enhancing HKU’s academic, philanthropic, and governance missions. He has served on the University Court and Council, is currently the Deputy Chairman of the HKU Foundation, and has lent his experience and counsel to numerous key University bodies and committees. He established the Patrick Poon Lecture Series in Actuarial Science in 2003, the Patrick S C Poon Professorship in Statistics and Actuarial Science in 2011, and the Patrick S C Poon Scholarship Scheme in 2011 – significantly enriching academic opportunities for both students and faculty in the field. He was conferred an Honorary University Fellowship by HKU in 2011.

Dr Poon is, inter alia, a Fellow of the Actuarial Institutes of Australia, Chinese Mainland, and Taiwan, China, an Associate of the Society of Actuaries, a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries, and a Past President of the Hong Kong Actuarial Society. He was conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2013, and awarded a Silver Bauhinia Star by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China in 2018.

In recognition of Dr Poon’s contributions to his profession, higher education and society, the University has resolved to confer upon him the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa.