Sabrina Chao has finally found a replacement CEO 18 months after Tim Huxley quit the post at Wah Kwong, one of the most famous names in Hong Kong shipping.
David Palmer will join the family run line in May, after 12 years in charge of Pareto Securities’ operations in Singapore.
Aged 60 this is likely to be Palmer’s final posting after a career holding senior positions at many well known shipping brands including Heidenreich Marine, Swire Pacific Offshore and International Product Carriers. Palmer’s four-year stint at IMC, the Tsao controlled line, will serve him especially well for the challenges ahead. Both IMC and Wah Kwong are family run and were founding members of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association before IMC jumped ship to Singapore 16 years ago.
“I think he’d be good at it,” said one source who knows Palmer well on his Wah Kwong appointment. “He’s as tough as nails and a shrewd operator.”
When contacted by Splash, Palmer refused to confirm the appointment, writing by email: “This is premature and I am by no means there yet.”
Wah Kwong management has yet to reply to questions sent by Splash earlier.
