John Wong is an assistant technical manager at ISS Facility Services and the Hong Kong YEN chair. He is a building services engineer with a solid foundation in the industry developed through academic qualifications and practical experience in consultancy and project administration across Hong Kong and Macau. He is also pursuing professional registration.
How did you become involved in YEN and what are the benefits of being involved?
About nine years ago, my supervisor at university, Mr. M Y Chan, introduced me to YEN.
The networking opportunities that have stemmed from the group have been incredibly valuable. I can connect with fellow young engineers, industry leaders and mentors across Hong Kong and globally.
Professional development within YEN also gives access to technical seminars, site visits and other learning opportunities. The recognition and leadership offerings provide platforms to showcase your projects – through events such as the Young Professionals Exhibition and Competition – and to take on leadership roles, such as committee positions, which help build influence within CIBSE.
Which projects are you proud of and what did you learn?
I am most proud of my work on ONE SOHO, a residential and commercial redevelopment project in Hong Kong. I contributed to the design and implementation of energy-efficient building services systems.
The project required coordination with multidisciplinary teams to integrate building services, energy-saving measures and smart features, to enhance occupant comfort and achieve energy savings.
There were several important lessons learned during this project:
- Collaboration is key: working with diverse teams of architects, contractors and clients taught me the importance of clear communication and aligning goals to achieve project success.
- Problem-solving under pressure: managing tight deadlines and resource constraints honed my ability to prioritise tasks and innovate under challenging conditions, a skill I would apply to future complex projects.
Where has your regional YEN had its biggest impact in the past year?
As activities resumed after the pandemic, face-to-face events – such as regular meetings, technical visits and seminars – have restarted. These have strengthened connections and engagement within YEN.
What are the biggest challenges the industry faces in your region?
A major challenge is the lack of talent, because of professionals relocating from Hong Kong in recent years.
A key priority of YEN Hong Kong Region (HKR) is to retain talent and strengthen collaboration with other professional institutions.
What are your personal objectives as chair and what are you looking forward to?
As chair of CIBSE YEN HKR, my personal objectives include:
- Enhancing member engagement: increasing participation in YEN events by organising more interactive site visits and webinars, and building on the success of past events, such as the YEN Global Conference
- Mentoring young engineers: providing guidance to help members achieve professional registration and develop leadership skills
- Promoting sustainability: advocating for sustainable design practices in Hong Kong’s building services projects, aligning with CIBSE’s net zero goals
- Strengthening regional impact: fostering collaboration with HKIE and other Greater Bay Area institutions to elevate YEN’s influence.
I am most looking forward to connecting with young engineers, sharing knowledge, and leading initiatives that inspire innovation and sustainability in the industry.
CIBSE President Vince Arnold’s theme this year is about ‘paying it forward’. Is there anyone who has helped mentor you or been a role model for you?
I would like to shout out to Ir Peter Y Wong, a former CIBSE President (2017-18) and a prominent figure in Hong Kong’s building services engineering community. His leadership in advancing the profession – particularly his emphasis on going beyond compliance to prioritise integrity and sustainability – has been a guiding influence.
His work on integrating Internet of Things technologies for building services performance, and his commitment to mentoring young engineers through HKIE and CIBSE initiatives, have inspired me to adopt a similar approach in my career and YEN involvement.
I aim to pay it forward by mentoring others, just as he has done for the Hong Kong engineering community.