Irene Chu

Head of Technology and New Economy / Head of Life Sciences / ESG Reporting Lead Partner, Hong Kong SAR

KPMG in China

Background

Irene has over 20 years of experience in audit and leads the Technology and New Economy sector, and Life Sciences sector for KPMG in the Hong Kong region.  Since 2020, Irene has been also involved in ESG reporting and advisory engagements.

Experience

Audit

Irene has extensive experience in working with emerging growth companies and leading audit, Hong Kong and US IPO engagements.  The industry sectors of her current and past clients include biopharmaceutical, diagnostics, medical equipment, fintech, consumer markets, e-commerce, software, semiconductors and telecommunications.

ESG

Irene leads the ESG reporting and assurance in Hong Kong that supports clients on ESG/climate reporting, sustainability strategies, climate change and decarbonization, sustainable finance and ESG assurance.

Some of the ESG/sustainability projects led by Irene include:

  • Development of an ISSB reporting guidance for the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers and conducted stakeholder engagement with the insurance industry during the process
  • ESG reporting, stakeholder engagement, climate risks assessment, scenario analysis, targets setting, decarbonization strategies, and ESG rating improvement for a large conglomerate with global and local businesses spanning from electricity supply, ports and infrastructure.
  • ESG assurance for a major Hong Kong public transportation operator with local and global businesses spanning from railway, property development and property management
  • ESG materiality assessment and ESG reporting for a major bank in Hong Kong
  • ESG diligence for an impact investor on the investment in a sustainable footwear startup company
  • ESG reporting for a large conglomerate with businesses spanning from hospitality, property development and financial services. 
  • ESG training and strategy workshops for senior management of a Hong Kong listed restaurant group
  • ESG training for board members of a large mainland China based life sciences venture capital firm
  • Collaboration with WWF Hong Kong in developing a sustainable seafood programme and the proof of concept for a bankable nature-based solution on sustainable mariculture in Hong Kong

Not-for-profit and public appointments

Irene has been a board member of KPMG Foundation, a not-for-profit organization funded by partners of KPMG China, since 2013. 

Irene also holds many different roles in the sustainability and technology field, such as:

  • Chair of Finance Committee and Member of Executive Committee, World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong (since 2012)
  • Director, The Applied Research Council, The Government of HKSAR (HKSAR) (since 2017)
  • Member of the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund Advisory Committee, Innovation and Technology Commission, HKSAR (since 2021)
  • Member of the Financial Review Panel, Financial Reporting Council, Hong Kong (since 2021)
  • B.Com., University of Toronto

  • Master of Social Sciences in Sustainability Leadership and Governance, The University of Hong Kong

  • HKICPA member

  • CA CPA member

  • Climate Change

  • Sustainability / ESG reporting

  • ESG assurance