The MTR Corporation's chief executive officer Jacob Kam has been named the next chairman of the railway operator and will take up the new position next year.

Kam, 63, is succeeding Rex Auyeung for a three-year term from January 1, 2026. He has also been appointed a non-executive director of the corporation, according to announcements on Tuesday.

"I am deeply honoured to be appointed as chairman of the MTR Corporation. I will join hands with the board to lead the MTR Corporation in its continued development," Kam said.

"The board will continue to support the company's strategic development, governance, and policy decisions to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of MTR's businesses, serving Hong Kong and the cities in which we operate, while creating value for all stakeholders."

Kam joined the company in 1995 and held various management positions before becoming the operator's CEO in April 2019.

In a statement, Transport Secretary Mable Chan said she hopes the incoming chairman will "draw on his extensive years of experience" to lead the corporation in using innovative technologies to continue improving the safety, efficiency and reliability of the city's railway system.

She also thanked Auyeung for his significant contributions, noting that the corporation completed the Tuen Ma Line and the East Rail Line cross-harbour extension projects under his leadership, while starting a series of railway developments.