BOC Hong Kong Holdings, the parent firm of Bank of China, has strengthened its board of directors with a new leader.

Starting 4 June 2013, Tian Guoli leads as chairman and non-executive director of the firm and Bank of China (Hong Kong), its principal operating subsidiary. Tian is currently the chairman and executive director of Bank of China, the controlling shareholder of the company with some 66.06 per cent of issued shares.

He replaces Xiao Gang, who resigned from the company in 17 March 2013.

Tian was vice chairman of the board of directors and general manager of China CITIC Group from December 2010 until April 2013. He has also held executive positions at China Construction Bank.

With Tian's appointment, the board of BOC Hong Kong now has 12 members.

BOC Hong Kong is a Hong Kong incorporated financial services group with over 260 branches across the country. The group and its subsidiaries also has 38 branches and sub-branches in the Mainland China.