Working with Communities & Media

Vicky Bowman has been the Director of MCRB since July 2013. Prior to that, she led global mining company Rio Tinto's policy approach to transparency, human rights and resource nationalism/resource curse issues from 2011. She was Director of Global & Economic Issues and G8 sous-Sherpa for the United Kingdom from 2008 to 2011 and Head of the Southern Africa Department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK Government from 2006 to 2007. Vicky served as ambassador of the UK to Myanmar from 2002 to 2006 and as second secretary in the Embassy from 1990 to 1993. She has also worked in Brussels as Member of Cabinet of European Commissioner Chris Patten (1999-2002) and as press spokeswoman for the UK representation to the EU (1996-1999). Vicky has an MA in Natural Sciences (Pathology) from University of Cambridge, is an Honorary Fellow of Pembroke College and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of University of Bradford (Division of Peace Studies and International Development).

Thompson Chau, a director of MHKCCI, has been with The Myanmar Times since 2016 and is currently its digital editor and deputy business editor. He is responsible for the paper’s economic and business coverage and assumes overall responsibility for the digital department. A particular focus of Thompson’s journalism is the role of business in Myanmar’s triple transition - in politics, peace and economics - and whether private investments are implemented with responsibility. He has written extensively on economic reforms under Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as the changes in the investment landscape, corporate governance and economic institutions. His bylines have also appeared in the Nikkei Asian Review and Asia Times. Thompson has an MA in Modern History and Philosophy from the University of St Andrews. He will be speaking as an individual journalist and his views do not necessarily represent those of The Myanmar Times.