Ayesha Macpherson Lau was first appointed Chair of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) and the eMPF Platform Company Limited (eMPF Company) in March 2021. She was re-appointed in March this year. “The appointment has given me a unique opportunity to serve the community,” she says.

The MPFA’s mission includes regulating and supervising privately managed provident fund schemes, protecting the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) rights of employees, educating the working population about saving for retirement protection and bringing forth improvements for continuously perfecting the MPF System.

As the Chair of MPFA, Lau oversees the strategic direction and governance of the MPFA, ensuring the effectiveness of the MPF System, which serves as basic retirement protection for the mass working population in Hong Kong.  “For the grassroots workers, MPF savings may be their only nest egg for retirement hence MPFA must do our best to safeguard the System,” Lau said.

As at the end of January 2025, total MPF assets amounted to more than HK$1,300bn (more than ₤150bn). The assets have grown 130% in the past 10 years, reflecting the continuous and healthy development of the MPF System, Lau says.

“Before the launch of the eMPF, over half of the employers were non-digital users, relying on paper submissions or non-electronic payments like cheques. Changing their behaviour is a significant challenge.”

Outreach teams will be deployed to support small and medium enterprises (SME) in adopting the new platform. Additionally, dedicated training will be offered to MPF intermediaries, helping SME employers’ transition to the eMPF Platform.

As the eMPF Platform will be connected to more than 10m MPF accounts, data security is a major concern, Lau explains. “We have implemented a very high standard of data security in the eMPF Platform, aligning with international best practices and government policies for handling confidential information. Independent risk assessment and 24-hour monitoring are in place to safeguard data integrity and counter potential cyberattacks.”

Continuous user feedback and iterative improvements will also be part of the process of developing the platform. The MPFA has been engaging stakeholders early and maintaining ongoing dialogue, Lau explains. “We built trust, addressed concerns, and created a user-friendly platform by engaging industry experts, professional testers and users. This experience reinforced my belief that effective stakeholder engagement is essential for the successful implementation of large-scale projects, especially those impacting diverse stakeholders across sectors.”

While her role has been challenging and exposed her to new experiences as a leader, Lau has brought a lot to the table from her time as a leader within KPMG. “I believe that the leadership qualities required are similar for private and public sectors.”

As a leader, Lau emphasises integrity, inclusivity and innovation above all else, with integrity providing the central foundation of her approach. “Integrity is the foundation, ensuring honesty, transparency, and ethical standards guide all actions,” she says. “Inclusivity allows us to leverage diverse perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions and better decision-making. Innovation is crucial for adapting to change and staying ahead, fostering a culture of creativity and resilience.”

Lau is also a strong proponent of leading by example; you should not criticise people for failing to do something if you are not able to do it yourself, she says. “If I want to convince people to do something, I should do it first. It can be as simple as showing respect by being on time for a meeting. Demonstrating the behaviours and values I expect from others sets the tone for the team and fosters a commitment to excellence.”

Another crucial aspect of leadership is listening to diverse perspectives and taking them into account for decision-making, says Lau. “Active listening builds trust, encourages open communication, and motivates teams to achieve organisational goals.”

Finally, strong corporate governance is essential for sustainable success: “It involves clear policies, transparency, and accountability across all organisational levels. Robust governance structures ensure ethical and responsible decision-making, aligning with the organisation's mission and values.”

Lau advises aspiring women in accountancy to be confident in their abilities, and to be active in seeking out opportunities for growth and leadership. “Do not hesitate to take on challenging roles that push you out of your comfort zone; these experiences are invaluable for personal and professional development.”

Never underestimate the value of community service and contributing to society in meaningful ways, she adds. “Embracing challenges and opportunities outside traditional accounting roles, such as public service, can be incredibly rewarding and create a broader impact.”

“Before the launch of the eMPF, over half of the employers were non-digital users, relying on paper submissions or non-electronic payments like cheques. Changing their behaviour is a significant challenge.”

Outreach teams will be deployed to support small and medium enterprises (SME) in adopting the new platform. Additionally, dedicated training will be offered to MPF intermediaries, helping SME employers’ transition to the eMPF Platform.

As the eMPF Platform will be connected to more than 10m MPF accounts, data security is a major concern, Lau explains. “We have implemented a very high standard of data security in the eMPF Platform, aligning with international best practices and government policies for handling confidential information. Independent risk assessment and 24-hour monitoring are in place to safeguard data integrity and counter potential cyberattacks.”

Continuous user feedback and iterative improvements will also be part of the process of developing the platform. The MPFA has been engaging stakeholders early and maintaining ongoing dialogue, Lau explains. “We built trust, addressed concerns, and created a user-friendly platform by engaging industry experts, professional testers and users. This experience reinforced my belief that effective stakeholder engagement is essential for the successful implementation of large-scale projects, especially those impacting diverse stakeholders across sectors.”

While her role has been challenging and exposed her to new experiences as a leader, Lau has brought a lot to the table from her time as a leader within KPMG. “I believe that the leadership qualities required are similar for private and public sectors.”

As a leader, Lau emphasises integrity, inclusivity and innovation above all else, with integrity providing the central foundation of her approach. “Integrity is the foundation, ensuring honesty, transparency, and ethical standards guide all actions,” she says. “Inclusivity allows us to leverage diverse perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions and better decision-making. Innovation is crucial for adapting to change and staying ahead, fostering a culture of creativity and resilience.”

Lau is also a strong proponent of leading by example; you should not criticise people for failing to do something if you are not able to do it yourself, she says. “If I want to convince people to do something, I should do it first. It can be as simple as showing respect by being on time for a meeting. Demonstrating the behaviours and values I expect from others sets the tone for the team and fosters a commitment to excellence.”

Another crucial aspect of leadership is listening to diverse perspectives and taking them into account for decision-making, says Lau. “Active listening builds trust, encourages open communication, and motivates teams to achieve organisational goals.”

Finally, strong corporate governance is essential for sustainable success: “It involves clear policies, transparency, and accountability across all organisational levels. Robust governance structures ensure ethical and responsible decision-making, aligning with the organisation's mission and values.”

Lau advises aspiring women in accountancy to be confident in their abilities, and to be active in seeking out opportunities for growth and leadership. “Do not hesitate to take on challenging roles that push you out of your comfort zone; these experiences are invaluable for personal and professional development.”

Never underestimate the value of community service and contributing to society in meaningful ways, she adds. “Embracing challenges and opportunities outside traditional accounting roles, such as public service, can be incredibly rewarding and create a broader impact.”