Executive Oversight Committee

John Heaton became Global President in 2024 having previously been the President of the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland from 2017 to 2020. He has been a member of the Institute since 1996 but started his career with Lloyds Bank moving into their share registration subsidiary and working closely with company secretaries and governance professionals. He still does consultancy work, but leading the Institute at such a pivotal time is the focus of much of what he now does.

Jill Parratt is an experienced business professional, with over three decades’ experience in Corporate Governance, Financial Management and Administration. She has been the financial director of a property management company, the company secretary of a listed transport company and the company secretary of two listed property companies. She is currently the group secretary of one of the largest insurance companies in South Africa, Liberty Holdings Limited, a position she has held for 17 years. She plays a pivotal role in facilitating the Board to achieve the Group’s vision and strategy, as well as compliance with relevant laws and regulations. She acts as a point of communication between the Board and Company’s shareholders and as a vital link between the Board and executive management. She has a key focus on reinforcing corporate fairness, promoting transparency, sustainability and discipline.

She was the President of the Global Institute from 2022 to 2024 having previously been the President of the Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa in 2009. Keeping in touch with students and championing the qualification is a passion of hers.

Gill Meller FCG HKFCG (PE) is MTR Corporation Limited’s Legal & Governance Director. She is responsible for leading the Company’s environmental, social and governance initiatives and for overseeing the Company’s legal, company secretarial, insurance, risk and assurance management and procurement and supply chain functions.

Gill is qualified to practise as a solicitor in Hong Kong and England and Wales. She graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Geography from Hertford College, the University of Oxford and obtained her postgraduate qualifications in law from The College of Law in the United Kingdom. She is the chair of the Legal Committee of The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Listing Committee of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and an independent director of Hong Kong, China Rugby. She is also a representative of the China/Hong Kong Division on the Council of the international Chartered Governance Institute, a former President of The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute, and a Fellow of both of these institutes.

Dr Denis Mowbray is a globally recognised governance expert and strategic thought leader who transforms organisational performance through innovative behavioural governance approaches. As Managing Director of Gryphon Management Consultants since 1994, Denis has pioneered proprietary research-based methodologies that analyse the "Third-Team" dynamics between boards and executives across diverse sectors worldwide.

His consulting and review engagements have benefitted government bodies, listed entities, and major sports organisations across Australasia, Europe, and the Pacific.

A Fellow of both The Chartered Governance Institute and Governance NZ, Denis’s qualifications span a PhD on board effectiveness (AUT), and a Master’s degree (Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France). He has shaped thinking as a published author—contributing to leading international journals and management handbooks.

Denis has presented at prestigious international conferences across Europe and Asia, with peer-reviewed publications exploring the critical intersection of governance, strategy, and organisational culture. His insights challenge conventional governance thinking, emphasising that in the boardroom "compliance regulation is not the problem; behaviour and culture are."

Denis combines rigorous academic research with practical commercial experience, making him a sought-after advisor for organisations seeking to unlock the true potential of effective governance.

Specialities: Behavioural Governance | Strategic Leadership | Organisational Performance | Board Effectiveness

As Vice-President of HKMU, Professor Au is responsible for the planning and implementation of strategic initiatives to advance the University’s vision, mission and objectives. He oversees international and Mainland collaborations, supports HKMU’s ongoing development, and contributes to initiatives such as the establishment of Hong Kong’s first University of Applied Sciences and the University’s participation in global ranking exercises.
With more than 30 years of academic experience, Professor Au has published widely in internationally refereed journals on business ethics, international management, technology transfer and marketing. As Principal or Co-Principal Investigator, he secured over HK$20 million in competitive external and internal research grants.

Dedicated to knowledge exchange between academia and society, Professor Au frequently contributed articles to leading newspapers and business magazines on branding, consumer behaviour, management and marketing communications. He also undertook consultancy projects for a range of public and private organisations, including the Hong Kong and U.S. Governments, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, District Boards, the Bureau of Foreign Trade and Cooperation of Guangzhou Municipality, A.S. Watson Asia Limited, and KONE Hong Kong.

At present, Professor Au continues to play an active role in professional and public service. He serves on the Advisory Group for Financial Education for Young Adults under the Investor and Financial Education Council, as well as the Research Ethics Committee of the Hong Kong Sanatorium Hospital Medical Group. He is also regularly invited by HKCAAVQ to act as Chair or expert panellist in the accreditation of academic programmes offered in Hong Kong and overseas.