Sir David Robert Ford KBE, LVO (Chinese: 霍德爵士) (born February 22, 1935), was the fifth and the last non-Chinese Chief Secretary of Hong Kong. He initiated the planning for Hong Kong's new international airport at Chek Lap Kok in 1989.
Ford served in the British Army (Royal Artillery and Commando Brigade) and retired as a Major in 1972. Other than service in Hong Kong, Ford also spent time in the Northern Ireland office.
Ford served as Hong Kong Commissioner in London 1980-1981 and again from 1994-1997.
Ford has left Hong Kong and splits his time between Devon and London.
Sir David's wife was a founder and subsequently patron of the Hong Kong Children's Cancer Foundation from 1988 to 1992. He is also chair of the board of UK Broadband, a wireless broadband service provider.[1]
There are persistent rumours that Ford, previously a career soldier, maintained close links with MI6 throughout his time in government service and that he was instrumental in gathering secret information about the People's Republic of China.[2]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Martin Rowlands |
Secretary for the Civil Service 1985 – 1986 |
Succeeded by Harnam Singh Grewal |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by Sir David Akers-Jones |
Chief Secretary of Hong Kong 1987 – 1993 |
Succeeded by Anson Chan |