THE board of China Everbright International Limited has announced that Wang Tianyi has been appointed as chief executive officer of the company, with effect from January 1 2018, to succeed Chen Xiaoping, who will retire from his current roles at the company.

Wang joined Everbright International in February 2010 as executive director and general manager. He has previously worked in several senior positions in universities and government organisations.

With extensive familiarity with environmental protection sectors at home and abroad, Wang is currently an adjunct professor of Tsinghua University, co-director of the Center for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Tsinghua University, and a member of PPP Business Advisory Board at United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

Wang will assume the role of CEO, in replacement of Chen, who will step back for retirement. Cai Yunge, chairman of the board of Everbright International, said at the announcement of the appointment, “We would like to appreciate Chen Xiaoping’s exceptional, far-reaching contributions to Everbright International. He joined the company as executive director and CEO in August 2001, when the company was running in a difficult time. Under Chen’s management and leadership over the past 16 years, Everbright International has emerged as China’s first solid waste treatment company that delivers an annual revenue surpassing 10 billion yuan.”

Chen says, “I would like to express my gratitude to the board of Everbright International for approving my retirement request. Thanks for the support from the board for all these years. I would like to take this chance to express my sincere appreciation for the attention and support from all sectors of the society.”

Wang says, “I am much honoured to accept this appointment. Chen Xiaoping has established a corporate culture themed with integrity, pragmatism, efficiency and innovation. He has also developed a corporate team with full vitality and high motivation. Starting from a small team of over ten staff, the company has grown into a large enterprise with more than 8,000 employees. We should continue upholding the innovation philosophy of the company, developing environmental protection business with a great sense of social responsibility, enhancing our corporate governance practices, and making every effort to open up a new horizon for the company in the future.”