Flora Yu took over as the executive director of the Hong Kong Arts Festival in 2022, following the 16 year reign of legendary arts administrator Tisa Ho, and led the event as it continues its post-pandemic recovery with a bumper 2023 edition that included performances by the likes of the Bamberg Symphony, Ballet Maribor and Natalia Osipova, principal ballerina at The Royal Ballet in London.

Yu was previously the festival’s development director for the previous 11 years, in charge of the fundraising that generates 60 per cent of the event’s income, something that she says puts her in an ideal position to secure it on a firm financial footing in the future. She was also responsible for launching No Limits in 2019, a project with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust that promotes accessibility and inclusivity in the performing arts; while she also established the annual HKartsFestival@TaiKwun performing arts collaboration with the Central cultural hub.

Before joining the festival, Yu worked in a variety of strategic planning, marketing, communications, event management and development roles in both arts organisations and companies. They include assistant general manager of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, head of corporate communications for the Shui On Group, and deputy general manager of Shanghai Xintiandi. She has worked as a consultant to both cultural and organisations companies looking to establish themselves in China. She is also a board member of the Hong Kong Arts Administrators Association and of Cantonese language musical troupe Actors’ Family.