Top Skills for the Job: Cracking the Code on How to Rule Hong Kong
This article takes a statistical analysis of the characteristics of Governors who had the honour of ruling Hong Kong on behalf of Her Majesty.
For over 150 years, Hong Kong had been receiving Britain’s assertive hospitality, which followed the invasion of China to protect British interests in opium smuggling. The Hong Kong Governor held the highest authority within the executive body and the territorial army. With authority over the lives of Hong Kong Chinese, this imperial representative ruled from the government residence in old Hong Kong.
But what did it take to become a Hong Kong Governor? While the selection process remains veiled in mystery, a look into the backgrounds and attributes of past incumbents may offer some insights.
From 1841 to 1997, under British imperial rule, there were 28 Governors of Hong Kong prior to the 1997 handover. This total excludes acting governors or interim administrators who stepped in temporarily, as well as the four Japanese administrators during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong from 1941 to 1945.

The primary requirement for the position of Governor was that the individual could not be a Hong Kong local nor a Chinese descent. Throughout Britain’s colonial rule, all Hong Kong Governors were white.
Another observation — each of these British officials was male. This reflects the patriarchal norms that prevailed in Hong Kong and other territories occupied by Britain.
In addition, many Hong Kong Governors boasted military or police force backgrounds, whether through their service experience or education. This aligns with the British Empire’s inclination towards individuals with exceptional military leadership.
Thirteen out of the 28 former Hong Kong governors served in the military or police forces before their appointments. Notable among them include:
- Henry Pottinger (Lieutenant-General)
- Hercules Robinson (Lieutenant, Captain)
- Arthur Kennedy (Ensign, British Army)
- Henry Blake (Inspector, Irish Constabulary)
- Matthew Nathan (Major, Royal Military Academy, Woolwich)
- Frederick Lugard (East Norfolk Regiment)
- Francis May (Captain Superintendent, Hong Kong Police)
- Mark Young (Rifle Brigade, British Army)
- Alexander Grantham (Cavlary Regiment, British Army)
- Robert Black (Intelligence Corps, British Army)
- David Trench (Royal Artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel)
- Murray MacLehose (British Naval Intelligence)
- Edward Youde (Royal Navel Reserve)
A notable example is Henry Blake, who served as an inspector of the Irish Constabulary before his appointment in Hong Kong. In 1899, under Blake’s command, British troops killed 500 Hong Kong locals and occupied the New Territories in just six days. Later, in 1967, David Trench played a crucial role in quelling the anti-imperialism riots, employing measures such as detainment without trial and implementing curfews. These actions were seen as necessary to maintain order, highlighting the value of his military experience in such challenging circumstances.

Ethnicity and place of origin were significant factors in selecting the highest-ranking official of Hong Kong’s colonial government, with 11 only Englishmen serving the post. A group of eight Irishmen: Henry Pottinger, Hercules Robinson, Richard MacDonnell, Arthur Kennedy, John Hennessy, George Bowen, Henry Blake, and Francis Henry.

Interestingly, four Governors, while ethnically of white male descent, were actually born in India. So technically, they could be considered Indian. Among them were:
- Cecil Clementi
- Mark Young
- David Trench
- Frederick Lugard
Moving away from military background and ethnic origin, the educational background of a Governor became a key aspect in shaping their leadership qualities. Initially, early Governors came from military academies, aligning with the colonial desire for discipline and structure. As time went on and the role evolved, later Governors often received their education from elite universities, with a marked preference for those who specialised in history, classics and humanities.
Governors with such university background include:
- George Bowen (Classics, Trinity College, Oxford)
- Francis May (Classics, Modern Language, Trinity College, Oxford)
- Reginald Stubbs (Literae humaniores, Corpus Christi College, Oxford)
- Cecil Clementi (Sanskrit & Classics, Magdalen College, Oxford)
- Murray MacLehose (Modern History, Balliol College, Oxford)
- David Wilson (Chinese History, Trinity College, Oxford)
- Chris Patten (Modern History, Balliol College, Oxford)
The well-rounded educational experiences gained at renowned British universities undoubtedly helped develop the strong administrative and diplomatic acumen that characterised British governance in Hong Kong.
A prime example of the importance of educational background is Murray MacLehose, who was appointed Governor shortly after the 1967 riots due to his extensive diplomatic background in Asia. His perceived skill in analysing political problems made him an ideal candidate to advocate for reforms in Hong Kong’s social policies. This highlights the significance of history and classics in shaping the leadership qualities of Governors.
However, a stark contrast exists between the requirements for Governors and Chief Executives after Hong Kong was handed over to its motherland, China, in July 1997. While Governors were typically white British males, Chief Executives must now be nationally Hong Kong Chinese.
Unlike the Governors, none of the five Chief Executives had the opportunity to attend elite British universities or study history and classics like their predecessors. However, Carrie Lam made history by breaking into the male-dominated world and becoming the first female to hold the top role in Hong Kong.
Tung Chee-hwa and Leung Chun-ying came from business backgrounds before assuming the role of Chief Executives, while Donald Tsang, Carrie Lam, and John Lee Ka-chiu had careers in the civil servant sector. Notably, John Lee, who assumed office as Chief Executive in July 2022, possesses a unique background in law enforcement.
All five Chief Executives were indeed raised in Hong Kong, received education from local government institutions, are native Cantonese Chinese speakers, and have resided in Hong Kong since their childhood. This inherent advantage allows them to have a deep understanding of the needs and concerns of Hong Kong locals, as they share the same language and have experienced the standard Hong Kong government secondary education system during their formative years.
There is indeed room for further value to be added to the leadership role. If Chief Executives were to possess a deep understanding of history and classics, they would be well-equipped to employ more diplomatic measures in handling political and social reforms. Additionally, having a disciplinary background would prove to be a valuable asset for Chief Executives in effectively managing any social unrest that may arise.
Indeed, it is of utmost importance to acknowledge Hong Kong’s historical context within both Britain and China. Understanding this context allows for a more comprehensive approach to governance, one that takes into account the complexities and nuances of the city’s past. Furthermore, it is crucial to govern in a manner that strikes a delicate balance between progress and respect for Hong Kong’s unique heritage. By doing so, the Chief Executives can navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise, ensuring a harmonious and prosperous future for the city.