The Hong Kong International Arbitration Center (HKIAC) has named Sarah Grimmer as its new secretary general with the incumbent, Chiann Bao, set to move to private practice with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. 

Bao has managed the operation and administration of HKIAC since 2010, during which time the centre was recognized as the most frequently used arbitral institution outside of Europe, most improved institution and ranked as the third best arbitral institution worldwide by the 2015 International Arbitration Survey conducted by Queen Mary University of London.  

She was instrumental in overseeing key initiatives such as the revision of the HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules, the establishment of the tribunal secretary accreditation programme, and the opening of the HKIAC Seoul and Shanghai offices.  She also led the expansion and renovation of HKIAC's hearing facilities.

Grimmer, who most recently served as senior legal counsel at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), has acted as registrar in three inter-State arbitrations under the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention and has been appointed tribunal secretary in multiple investor-State arbitrations and contract-based disputes. She has more than 14 years of experience in the field of international arbitration, spanning inter-State, investor-State and international commercial arbitration.