Who is James Bidlake, new legal and compliance chief at The Hong Kong Jockey Club

February 11, 2025

Who is James Bidlake, new legal and compliance chief at The Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has announced the appointment of Mr. James Bidlake as its new Executive Director of Legal and Compliance (EDLC), effective 24 February 2025. Mr. Bidlake will succeed Ms. Shella Ng, who has served in the role since March 2020 and will depart after completing her contract on 5 May 2025.

Extensive legal and compliance experience

With over 25 years of legal and regulatory compliance experience in Asia, Mr. Bidlake brings a wealth of knowledge to the HKJC. Before this appointment, he served as the Group General Counsel and Executive Vice President for DFS Group, managing legal and compliance risks across the global business. His career includes significant roles at Morgan Stanley as Executive Director and Head of Investment Banking Legal in Hong Kong, as well as positions at Citigroup’s Investment Banking Division and the law firm Simmons & Simmons in London and Hong Kong.

Educational background

Mr. Bidlake holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree from Exeter University in the UK. He furthered his legal education by completing the Common Professional Examination (CPE) and the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at The University of Law in the UK.

Role and responsibilities

In his new role at the HKJC, Mr. Bidlake will lead the Legal and Compliance Division, overseeing the Club’s and its subsidiaries’ legal and compliance activities. He will also serve as the Company Secretary and will be a member of the Board of Management, reporting directly to the Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. His responsibilities will include protecting the Club’s rights, brand, and reputation.

About The Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Hong Kong Jockey Club was founded in 1884 in China’s Special Administrative Region (SAR). Gambling is illegal in China and Hong Kong except when authorised by the government, including horse racing, football betting, Mark Six lottery, and betting premises licenced by the government.

The integrated business model of The Hong Kong Jockey Club includes racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and significant contributions to charities and the community. In the 2023/24 fiscal year, the Club returned a total of HK$40.1 billion to the community, including HK$29.9 billion to the HKSAR Government in duties, profits tax, and Lotteries Fund contributions, and HK$10.2 billion in approved charity donations, according to a press release by HKJC. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers.