Sands China, the Asian arm of U.S.-based gambling company Las Vegas Sands, is shifting some things around at the top. According to a filing with the Hong Kong bourse, a new chief operating officer (COO) is coming aboard and Wilfred Wong, who currently serves in a dual role as COO and president, will continue with the company, but without the former title. Sands China is also preparing to pick up a new general counsel, and all changes are taking place as of today.
Grant Chum is now the company’s COO, giving him a promotion from his role as chief of staff. He will handle all of the day-to-day operations, as well as continue as a director of several of Sands China’s subsidiaries throughout the region. This gives Wong more time to dedicate to guiding the direction of the company, with a concentration on its long-term strategies and growth in and around Macau. Wong has held both the COO and president roles since he joined the company five years ago.
The company says of Chum’s credentials, “Chum Kwan Lock, Grant, aged 44, has been our Chief of Staff since March 9, 2015 and is also a director of a number of our subsidiaries. Mr. Chum joined Las Vegas Sands Corp. and our Group as Senior Vice President, Global Gaming Strategy in July 2013. Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Chum spent 14 years at UBS Investment Bank (“UBS”) in a variety of roles, including serving as head of Hong Kong equity research from 2010 to 2013, and head of China equity research from 2007 to 2010. Mr. Chum was also responsible for Asia gaming equity research from 2006 to 2013 for UBS and was named Asia’s stock-picker of the year by the Financial Times in 2011. Mr. Chum graduated in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics with First Class Honors from the University of Oxford.”
The new general counsel, as well as company secretary, comes by way of Dylan James Williams. Williams was previously serving with the title of Senior VP of Legal and Company Secretary since January 2017, but started with Sands China in 2006 as its debt compliance manager. The company adds:
“Dylan James Williams, aged 44, has been our Senior Vice President of Legal and Company Secretary since January 1, 2017 and is also a director of a number of our subsidiaries. Mr. Williams was the Company’s Associate General Counsel and Deputy Company Secretary from July 1, 2014, its Associate General Counsel from November 1, 2008 and its Debt Compliance Manager from July 31, 2006. Mr. Williams has played important roles in the Company’s various project financing since 2006 and was a key member of the legal team responsible for the listing of the Company on the Stock Exchange in 2009. Mr. Williams holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom and is admitted to practice law in the State of New York.”
The new arrangement comes at a good time for the company. Sands China, as well as other casino operators in Macau, are going to be looking at a license renewal in the city in 2022, and the company will now be better structured to ensure there aren’t any issues when that time comes.
