1969年香港大學經濟學榮譽學士，1969－73年喺國際船公司度做，1973年考咗入政府做政務主任，呢段時間做過好多個部門，1987－89年做公務員事務副司（副銓敘司），1989－91年做副工商司，1991－94年做香港駐GATT常任代表（GATT為世界貿易組織前身），1994－95年做民政總署署長，1995－2000年任做教育統籌司（即教育局長），2000－2006年做公務員事務局長，2006－07年做工商及科技局長，2007年6月退休。
He received a bachelor's degree in economics (honours) from the University of Hong Kong in 1969, worked in an international shipping company from 1969 to 73, was admitted to the government as an administrative officer in 1973, and worked in many departments during this time, from 1987 to 89 he was the deputy secretary for civil service (deputy secretary for business), in 1989-91 he was the deputy secretary for industry and commerce, in 1991-94 he was the permanent representative of Hong Kong to GATT (GATT is the predecessor of the World Trade Organization), he was the director of Civic and Municipal Affairs in 1994-95, he was the education department (i.e. the secretary for education) from 1995 to 2000, the secretary for civil service from 2000-2006, and the secretary for commerce, commerce and technology from 2006-07 until his retirement in June 2007.