King, Roger
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(Article) Family office: the Eastern approach
01.03.2017
Chinese family businesses are facing generational transitions, often subject to the curse of ?wealth does not go beyond three generations?. In many of these entrepreneurial families, the business itself is a means to keep the entire family together. As the business leadership is passed down from one generation to the next or as the family exits from the business, the family may lose its purpose for staying and working together. The evolving dynamics demand actions to preserve family harmony and unity, values deeply seated in the Chinese culture. While a family office itself is a Western concept, with necessary adaptations, it may help serve as the ?glue' and regenerate the shared identity for Chinese families. -
(Article) Reframing succession in a disruptive era - a business family perspective
01.12.2020
A new look at succession planning, from Hong Kong authors Roger King and Jeremy Cheng. Their article title refers to our unsettled times: ?Reframing succession in a disruptive era - a business family perspective?. The authors are concerned that the traditional views of succession - as in to whom the baton should be passed - are not sufficient for success in these changing times. They say they will ?demystify what a true family legacy means, which should not be the business per se, but the family's entrepreneurial DNAs, shared identity and values, and an enduring pool of resources?. Overall, they argue that the necessary evolution is from being a ?family business' to being a ?business family'. The article is carefully researched and contains a wealth of advice - including advice on expanding the role of a family office: We believe that with a much-needed ?upgrade' in their functionalities, family offices can catalyse the transition from a family business to a business family and enhance the odds of successful succession. While families set up their family offices primarily as a one-stop shop for wealth management, they should also embrace governance, education and social functions.