SINGAPORE - Hong Kong based SCMP Group announced today the appointment of Mr Robin Hu, 53, as its new Chief Executive Officer

He is to take over from Ms Kuok Hui Kwong from 25th June 2012.

Before this, he was the Senior Executive Vice President of the Chinese Newspapers Division and Newspaper Services Division for Singapore Press Holdings (SPH).

He spent eight years managing the group's three national Chinese dailies, Lianhe Zaobao, Lianhe Wanbao and Shin Min Daily, as well as its bilingual publication mypaper.

He also oversaw the group's various newspaper, event cum exhibition and magazine operations. In addition, he was in charge of business development in China.

Mr Hu graduated from the University of Kent with a BSc in Mathematics and the University of Wales with an MSc in Computer Science. He then proceeded to begin his career in the Information Technology sector in the early 80s.

Mr Hu also held the position of Regional Director of China for the Singapore Economic Development Board, and was based in Shanghai and Suzhou between 1995 and 1998.

In 2000, he moved to Beijing, and later Hong Kong, and joined Asiacontent.com Ltd. There, he successfully launched many vertical portals, including China.CNET.com, mtv-china.com, eonline.com.cn and DoubleClick China.

"Robin brings to the SCMP Group a rare combination of media expertise, in-depth operational know-how of the publishing and IT industries, plus hands-on digital media and China knowledge," said Ms Kuok, current CEO of SCMP Group.

She will retain her current Executive Director board position with the SCMP Group.

Regarding his new move, he remarked, "I am honoured to be given the opportunity to lead and contribute to the continued success of such a highly esteemed institution as the SCMP."

He added that he has the highest respect for the heritage of the company, its products and people, and looks forward to getting in step with the opportunities the growing Chinese economy can bring.