Prior to the new appointments, Ms Wang was Managing Director, Greater China and Mr Barkshire Chief Operating Officer of the Exchange.

Commenting on the changes, HKMEx Chairman Barry Cheung said: "Both Jane and William have played key roles in driving the Exchange forward in the past few years. Jane's strong client focus and track record in developing our business, especially on the mainland, combined with William's deep exchange and commercial experience in developing and driving strategic initiatives will ensure that we will continue to build a vibrant Exchange that brings together mainland and international market participants."

Mr Cheung added: "We thank Albert for his immense contribution to the establishment and launch of the Exchange and putting in place a firm foundation for its future growth. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours."

"I am pleased to leave behind an exchange that is well positioned to realise its goal of becoming China's global marketplace. I wish HKMEx great success for the future," said Mr Helmig

HKMEx currently offers a 32 troy ounces (1 kilo) gold futures contract and a 1,000 troy ounces silver futures contract. Both are denominated in US dollars with physical delivery in Hong Kong. Going forward, the Exchange plans to launch gold and copper contracts denominated in renminbi, followed by other products in precious and base metals, as well as energy, agriculture, and commodity indices

Biographies
Jane Wang, a veteran in commodities trading in China, joined HKMEx in 2008 as Managing Director, Greater China. Previously she was with Amalgamated Metal Trading Limited (AMT), where she was Chief Representative in Beijing and Shanghai, overseeing market development, client risk control management, and government relations in the Greater China region. Before that, she was Chief Representative of Preussag AG's Beijing office.

Ms Wang holds a master's degree in operational research from Shandong University and a bachelor's degree in industrial management from Xidian University.

William Barkshire joined the Exchange as Senior Advisor in 2009 and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in November 2011. Mr Barkshire has over 20 years of experience in the financial services sector. He was formerly Director of Corporate Strategy and a member of the Chief Executive's Committee at the London Stock Exchange, and has held key positions at LCH.Clearnet, European Repo Exchange (ERX), London International Financial Futures Exchange (Liffe), Euro Brokers, and Tradepoint Investment Exchange (now part of SIX Swiss Exchange). He began his career at SG Warburg (now part of UBS AG).

He holds a degree in economics and business economics from Southampton University.