Hand joins LaSalle

David Hand has been promoted as investment head for China in Jones Lang LaSalle after seven years as managing director of Jones Lang LaSalle Beijing and head of the China Retail Business. Hand said he expects to leverage the strong relations he and the Pan-China Investments teams have had with local and international developers and investors to facilitate transactions between these groups in China.

Sang is Lafarge CEO

French cement and building materials manufacturer Lafarge SA has appointed Sang Kang as chief executive officer in place of Cyrille Ragoucy, who was previously in charge of its business expansion in China. Ragoucy is returning to the company's French headquarters where he will take up a new position. Sang jointed Lafarge in 2003 after working for several years with Boston Consulting Group as partner and board director.

Ford new Starwood VP

Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels and Resorts has appointed Stephen Ford as vice-president and area managing director for South China, and general manager of Sheraton Sanya Resort. Ford has more than 40 years of management and work experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to this he was Starwood's regional vice-president for India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Ford joined Starwood in 2001 as general manager of the Westin Bund Center, Shanghai.

WuXi CFO steps down

WuXi PharmaTech has said Benson Tsang, chief financial officer, is leaving the company for personal reasons at the end of this month. Edward Hu, chief operating officer, will act as acting CFO until a replacement is found. Tsang joined WuXi PharmaTech in 2006 as CFO.

The company's board has formed a search committee to recruit a new CFO. Tsang has agreed to provide transition services and to assist in recruiting his successor.

Unicom appoints Lu

China Unicom has appointed Lu Yimin as president, while Chang Xiaobing will continue to act as chairman and CEO, effective Feb 13. Zuo Xunsheng, Li Jianguo, Pei Aihua, Zhao Jidong, Li Fushen, Li Gang, Zhang Jun'an and Jiang Zhengxin were appointed senior vice-presidents of the company. Lu Yimin and Zuo Xunsheng remain as company executive directors.

The appointment signals the closing of the Unicom-Netcom merger.

McQuillan named GM

British Airways has appointed Kevin McQuillan as its regional general manager for the Far East with effect from March 2. Based in Hong Kong, McQuillan will be responsible for the airline's commercial interests on the mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Philippines.