Jerry Liu has been appointed Head of Create Hong Kong and will assume office on March 22, the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau says. This follows an open recruitment exercise which attracted more than 150 candidates.

Mr Liu, 51, has pursued a career in the film and television-related industry for more than 25 years. He is a co-founder of the Media Asia Group of companies, which is one of Hong Kong's leading producers and distributors of Chinese-language films.

He was the Media Asia Entertainment Group's Chief Executive Officer from 2001 to 2005, focusing on business development. He also oversaw the group's operations in production and co-production, marketing and publicity, distribution and sales of films including the Infernal Affairs trilogy and Initial D.

Mr Liu was the consultant on the financial and programme planning of Hutchison Cablevision before joining Hong Kong Cable Communication as the Planning Manager responsible for developing the financial model for the programming of channels in 1989. He graduated from Vassar College in New York with an honours degree in drama in 1980.

Permanent Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development (Communications & Technology) Duncan Pescod said Mr Liu has extensive experience working in the creative industries, particularly film, television and related sectors. He has sound professional skills and proven management abilities as well as knowledge of market developments and strategic promotion.

"I have every confidence he will be able to lead CreateHK to drive the development of the creative industries in Hong Kong," he added.