TWF and HKICPA Restructuring and Insolvency Faculty (RIF) joint event

Welcome to The Women's Foundation(TWF) and HKICPA Restructuring and Insolvency Faculty (RIF) joint event: Duties of Directors upon Signs of Financial Distress of Listed Companies on Wednesday, 14 January 2026!

While the Hong Kong economy is showing some growth, several factors contribute to the perception that it is not strong, including weak external demand, high interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and challenges in specific sectors like retail and restaurants. Despite a slight increase in GDP, unemployment is up, and certain markets, such as exports, are struggling.

Recently it was reported that a number of listed companies were in financial distress and they were calling for rescue in order to avoid going into liquidation. It is important for directors of listed companies to be aware of their own duties upon signs of financial distress.

At this HKICPA Restructuring and Insolvency Faculty (RIF) and the Women’s Foundation (TWF) joint event, moderated by Gabriella Montandon, three experienced professionals, Rosalie Lui, Maria Lau and Alexander Tang, from the restructuring and insolvency field will discuss what the board of directors of a listed company should do when the company is in financial distress and share their insights in dealing with such situation, along with an opportunity for questions from the audience.

Following the panel discussion, attendees are invited to stay on for a networking and socialising session.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
• Time: 5:30 - 8:30 PM
• Venue: HKICPA training centre, 27th Floor, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai

Event Rundown:

• 5:30 PM Registration
• 5:45 PM Introduction
• 5:50 PMPanel discussion
• 6:20 PM Q&A
• 6:30 PM Closing remarks
• 6:30 - 8:30 PM Networking drinks

About the panellists

Gabriella Montandon (Moderator) | Founder, Montandon Consulting

Gabriella is an International Chief Financial Officer with over 20 years of experience supporting private and publicly held businesses to navigate significant financial and operational transformations.

Gabriella’s sweet spot is in partnering with CEOs, founders and top teams to help them lead with clarity and control, stabilize and grow their businesses, achieve material financial turnarounds as well as successful market exits. She is a trusted advisor to board, audit, and investment committees and has worked across industries including FMCG, luxury, fashion and beauty retail, professional services, corporate governance, industrial and tobacco.

Gabriella’s proven track record of success in leading multi-functional and multi-jurisdictional business transformations and transactions includes all areas of the business including commercial, operations, HR, IT, compliance, legal and finance.

As a certified executive coach, Gabriella uses her influencing skills to build consensus at all levels within heavily matrixed organizations. She is passionate about supporting women and she provides pro-bono mentoring and coaching to support the growth and development of female entrepreneurs.

Rosalie Lui | Member, RIF Technical Panel and Partner, KPMG

Rosalie is a Restructuring Partner of KPMG China. Over the last 20 years, Rosalie has been involved in a range of formal restructuring and insolvency engagements, financial restructurings and back-door listings, as well as stakeholder advisory mandates and estate administration appointments. Rosalie is one of the Liquidators of Lehman Brothers and MF Global in Hong Kong, and has built up significant amount of experience in Cross-Border Insolvency.

In 2016, Rosalie was recognised by the Global Restructuring Review as one of the world’s “Top 20 New Insolvency Advisors”. She has served as a Main Organising Committee member for INSOL PRC Seminar for five consecutive years. She is also a member of the “100 Women in Finance HK Chapter Committee”.

Rosalie is a member of the Institute and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and a CFA Charter Holder.

Maria Lau | Member, RIFEC and Partner, Ernst & Young Transactions Limited

Maria has over 15 years of experience in the corporate restructuring and insolvency sector. She was appointed as receiver in multiple high-profile cases involving majority stakes in Hong Kong-listed companies. Successfully led investor identification, tender processes and timely disposal of shares-returning surplus proceeds to stakeholders.

Maria also managed liquidations of companies with operations across Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, Southeast Asia and the UK, with substantial recoveries including HK$90 million from share disposals and US$10 million offshore assets within the tight timeline. She has led provisional and court liquidations of listed companies in sectors such as property development, healthcare and lending.

Maria is a member of CPA Australia and the Institute. She is also a member of the Administrative Panel of Insolvency Practitioners for Court Winding-Up maintained by the Official Receiver in Hong Kong.

Alexander Tang | Member, RIFEC and Partner, Stephenson Harwood

Alexander is a Fellow of INSOL International and holds a specialist qualification in insolvency awarded by the Institute. He sits on the Insolvency Law Committee of the Law Society of Hong Kong. lexander is among the first batch of Hong Kong lawyers to have passed the examination requirements for legal practice in the Greater Bay Area.

In the restructuring and insolvency market, he regularly advises officeholders, financial institutions distressed companies as well as company directors. Alexander is said to "demonstrate experience acting for liquidators and creditors in advisory and contentious issues. He has notable expertise in winding-up proceedings and distressed M&A matters" (Chambers Greater China 2023). Alexander is ranked in the 2022 IFLR 1000 as a rising star partner in restructuring and insolvency. Alexander was described by client as "exceptionally capable with a strong blend of commercial and technical advice”. (GRR 100 2022).

Online enrolment by 12 January 2026.

Disclaimers:

• The opinions expressed by external guest speakers are, by their nature, those of the speakers. They are not necessarily endorsed by the Institute or the TWF, or reflect their official policies and views or those of their members.
• The Institute and the TWF do not endorse or recommend any products or services referred to in the event and are not responsible for any loss or damage arising from the use of such products or services.
• Participants are reminded that there is a wide range of products or services available in the market. Participants should carry out their own research and obtain independent advice before subscribing to any products or services.
• The Institute and the TWF take no responsibility for any loss associated to any person acting, or refraining from acting, as a result of participation in the event.