The government announced on Friday that the Director of Broadcasting, Eddie Cheung, will become the new permanent secretary for the environment and ecology early next year.

He'll replace Janice Tse on January 2, when she will begin her pre-retirement leave.

In another senior appointment, deputy secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Manda Chan will head the Leisure and Cultural Services Department from next Wednesday, taking over from the retiring Vincent Liu.

Civil service chief Ingrid Yeung described the two appointees as seasoned administrative officers with proven leadership and management skills.

"I have every confidence that they will continue to serve the community with professionalism in their new capacity," she said in a statement, while also thanking the two retiring officials.

Cheung joined the government's administrative service in October 1993, and rose to the rank of administrative officer staff grade A in April this year.

He has served in various bureaus and departments, including a three-year stint as the special representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union from 2019, before heading RTHK since October 2022.

Chan, meanwhile, joined the administrative service in September 1995 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April this year.

She was the Commissioner for Narcotics of the Security Bureau for more than three years from 2016, and was the Commissioner for Rehabilitation of the Labour and Welfare Bureau for around three years until October 2022.