Prof. Eric YIM, JP

Prof. Eric C. Yim, founder of POSH Office Systems (HK) Limited, is an UK-registered architect, freelance furniture designer, brand-led industrialist, scholar and major contributor to the arts and design industry in Hong Kong. 

After qualified as an architect in the UK, Prof. Yim practised architecture with Pritzker Prize winner Sir James Stirling in a number of high-profile projects including The National Library of France, Tokyo International Forum and The Music Academy in Stuttgart.  During 1990s, Prof. Yim returned to Hong Kong and founded POSH, an organisation engaged in design, manufacturing and marketing of office furniture. Bearing testament to his business acumen, Prof. Yim rapidly built his business from a locally-based SME into a globally recognised brand.  Prof. Yim owns more than ten design registrations and utility patents in Hong Kong, Mainland China, EU and the United States. 

In addition to championing the way forward for his business, Prof. Yim serves a multitude of public roles, dedicated to further developing the design, education and industrial sectors across Hong Kong. 

As a strong advocate of arts, design and innovation, Prof. Yim is actively involved in the community of creative industries. He has been a Board Director of Hong Kong Design Centre since 2012 and took up the Chairmanship since 2016. He was also the Chairman of Design Council of Hong Kong for 8 years; the Vice-Chairman of Create Smart Initiative Vetting Committee of CreateHK; a member of Consultation Panel of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority; a member of Museum Advisory Committee; and a director of Zuni Icosahedron.  Prof. Yim believes that design and innovation do not only refer to product and aesthetics, but also apply to services, experiences and public policies. He was instrumental to the adoption of design thinking as a problem solving skill in Chief Executive's Policy Address 2017. He is now one of the appointed members of the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers on Innovation and Strategic Development.  

As a scholar, Prof. Yim has a close tie with Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). He is a Court Member of the University; a Professor of Practice at the School of Design; the Chairman of School-Industry Advisory Committee on Design; and Honorary Life President of the university's Foundation. His public roles in the education sector also included serving as an adviser to Hong Kong Design Institute and a mentor to a number of university students under the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme. With his ""MING Foundation"", Prof. Yim has been sponsoring Design Education Fund and a number of student scholarships to foster excellence in design, innovation and creativity among youth.  Prof. Yim is also deeply involved in vocational and professional education. He is the Deputy Chairman of Vocational Training Council and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Governors at THEi. Prof. Yim is also an adjunct professor at Swinburne University in Australia and Hang Seng University of Hong Kong. 

As a contributor in the business and industrial sector, Prof. Yim is the Chairman of Hong Kong Technology Voucher Program Committee. He was also the Deputy Chairman of Federation of Hong Kong Industries (2013 – 2019), Chairman of Hong Kong Export and Credit Insurance Corporation (2015-2019), Chairman of the Hong Kong Furniture & Decoration Trade Association (2012-2018), Council Member of Hong Kong Trade Development Council (2017-2019) and Board Director of Ocean Park Corporation (2013-2019).

Prior to the conferment of a Masters Degree in Architecture at the University of Cambridge, Prof. Yim graduated with a First Class (Honour) Degree in BA and a Distinction in B.Arch at University of Manchester. He is a member of Royal Institute of British Architects and a fellow of Royal Society of Arts. For his dedication and contribution in various disciplines, Prof. Yim has earned a string of accolades. He was the winner of Industrial Innovation Leadership Award 2019, Young Industrialists Awards of Hong Kong 2005 and Leader of Excellence 2006. He was also honoured with the Asia Pacific Outstanding Entrepreneur Award 2009, Asia Pacific Culture & Creative Industries Award 2016 and City Contribution Award of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Lifestyle Awards 2017. Awarded the degree of Doctor of Design (Honoris Causa) by Swinburne University in Australia, Prof. Yim is also an Honorary Fellow of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Prof. Yim was a member of CPPCC between 2013 and 2018, and was appointed as Justice of the Peace in 2015.