The programme aims to provide students with a detailed understanding of the multifaceted aspects of family office management. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical applications, the programme seeks to equip students with the necessary skills to navigate the intricate landscape of family wealth management. It will cover a range of topics such as governance structure, investment strategies, succession planning, and ethical considerations specific to family office. The programme helps to cultivate family office professionals to address the evolving needs and complexities of affluent families and their enterprises. After completing the programme, students will be capable of providing professional advice in the specialised realm of family office businesses.

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the programme, students should be able to

1. discuss and analyse family office management strategies and practices; 
2. analyse legal and regulatory frameworks impacting family office operations and develop compliance strategies to mitigate risks; 
3. evaluate psychological dynamics within families and apply communication skills to facilitate effective wealth management discussions and decision-making; 
4. critically review advanced strategies in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and global tax planning for family office growth and sustainability;  and
5. examine the multi-generational wealth inheritance plans aligned with family values and objectives, incorporating estate planning and asset protection strategies. 

Assessment:

• In-class Test, Presentation, Individual Written Assignment

Awards:

Upon successful completion of the programme, students who have passed the assessment with attendance no less than 70% for all six modules will be awarded the "Postgraduate Diploma in Family Office and Succession Management" within the HKU system through HKU SPACE.

Students who have completed three designated modules (Module 1, plus one from Modules 2 to 4 and one from Modules 5 or 6) can apply to exit with the "Postgraduate Certificate in Family Office and Succession Management" awarded within the HKU system through HKU SPACE.

Application Code	2350-FN133A	-

Duration

• 30 to 45 hours per module
• 3 hours per meeting

Venue

• Admiralty Learning Centre
• United Learning Centre
• HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College (HPSHCC) Campus
• HKU Campus

Module 1: Family Office Management Strategy

The module aims to provide students with essential knowledge in family office management. It will cover a range of topics including the process of setting up a family office in Hong Kong, the establishment of a family constitution, inheritance planning and the integration of family and business knowledge, effective strategies for resolving stakeholders' disputes, and the implementation of professional wealth management arrangements. The application of trusts in family offices and real-life cases will be discussed. After completing the module, students can better understand the processes and contemporary issues related to family office management.

Module 2: Legal and Regulatory Practices for Family Office

This module will equip students with a detailed understanding of the regulatory environment, legal structures, and reporting requirements for family office, as well as the key legal considerations and strategies for lawyers working with family office. This includes exploring the use of trusts, wills, and other instruments in family office planning and succession, as well as the legal implications of managing various family office assets and engaging in charitable and philanthropic activities. After completing the module, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to address family office’s unique regulatory, structural, and asset-related needs.

Module 3: Family Dynamics and Psychological Aspects in Wealth Management

This module will equip family office professionals with essential tools to navigate complex family dynamics while effectively managing wealth. Students will develop skills in cross-generational communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, and motivation of next-generation family members. They will learn how to manage intergenerational wealth transfers, implement family governance structures, and navigate cultural nuances specific to family office. The module will emphasise practical applications to preserve family harmony and balance financial goals with family well-being in the context of family office management. 

Module 4: M&A and Private Equity Strategy for Family Office

The module aims to provide students with essential knowledge in Private Equity and M&A markets. It will discuss various issues such as the development of Private Equity and M&A in different regions; the structuring and executing of Private Equity and M&A; the considerations and processes involved in Private Equity and M&A transactions; updated legal and regulatory developments in Hong Kong. Real-life cases will also be discussed. After completing the module, students will understand how Private Equity and M&A help with family office growth.

Module 5: Multi-Generational Wealth Inheritance Strategy for Family Office

The module aims to provide students with multi-generational wealth inheritance strategies for high-net-worth families. It will cover a range of topics including portfolio management constraints, discussing risk concepts, behavioral biases, asset class returns, passive vs. active strategies, equity securities, fixed income analysis, immunisation strategies, and derivatives securities. After completing the module, students will grasp essential insights into effective portfolio management practices for family office.

Module 6: Global Tax Planning for Family Office

The module aims to equip students with essential knowledge of Global Taxation, which includes International Tax, US and Canadian Taxes; UK and Australian Taxes, China and Hong Kong Taxes. Students will learn how taxation systems in these countries affect the global asset allocations in Family Office, inbound and outbound investment and tax considerations on Ultimate Beneficial Owners. Double Tax Agreements are discussed to minimise the risks of paying excessive taxes across the borders. Practical cases are presented with real life examples.

Tutors

DR. SL CHING

Dr. Ching is a seasoned finance professional with over 20 years of experience working with renowned international financial institutions such as HSBC and Prudential in venture capital and private equity, as well as providing financial advisory services to ultra-high-net-worth clients at international private banks like Citi, Morgan Stanley, and UBS. He has also established and managed a family office for a UHNW client from China.

He is familiar with a wide range of investment products, estate planning schemes, family governance, succession planning, and next-generation development issues. He has had extensive business collaborations with international private banks, trustees, and insurance providers. Additionally, he has taught CFA examination courses and provided training to banks and insurance companies in Hong Kong and China.

Dr. Ching graduated with a PhD in computer science, majoring in Artificial Intelligence, from the University of Pennsylvania, and holds a Bachelor's degree (1st Hon) from Oxford University. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

 

MR. RICHARD DAVID GRASBY

Mr Grasby is a Partner in Appleby’s Hong Kong office, leading the Private Client, Trusts and Family Office practice. Richard advises trustees, ultra-high net worth individuals, private trust companies and family offices on the establishment, restructuring and administration of trusts. He regularly assists in estate administration, succession planning and family governance. Private clients and family offices instruct Richard to advise on the use of corporate vehicles for asset holding and succession planning purposes. Richard is an expert in regulatory law including AML, AEOI, economic substance, sanctions and licensing and risk management for trust companies. He also advises on collective investment funds, particularly unit trusts and private label funds. Richard has over 23 years’ post qualification experience with the majority spent in offshore firms. Richard has lived and worked in Jersey, London, the Cayman Islands and (since 2009) Hong Kong. He is admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales and the British Virgin Islands and is a Registered Foreign Lawyer in Hong Kong. He has also been admitted as an Attorney in the Cayman Islands.

Richard is an active member of STEP. He has been on the local executive committee since 2012 and is a former chair. He is on the global steering committee for the Cross Border Estates Special Interest Group. He is a member of the Academic Community and Governance Committee. He is a member of the Hong Kong Trustee Association, the Family Firm Institute, the International Bar Association and the Investment Migration Council

Mr Grasby graduated with a Distinction from the LPC at the College of Law, York, and holds an LLB in Law and French from the University of Bristol.

 

MS. KATHY CHAN

Ms. Chan is a counseling psychologist who graduated from the Philosophy Department of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She holds a Master of Social Science in Counseling Psychology from Hong Kong Shue Yan University, a Master of Education from the University of Hong Kong, a Master of Social Science in Applied Psychology (with Distinction) from City University of Hong Kong, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Ms. Chan is currently a part-time lecturer in psychology at a tertiary institution. She has 20 years of industry experience in teaching and counseling on mental health and career planning consulting services in various schools, NGOs, and enterprises.

 

MR. ERIC POON

Mr. Poon is an Adjunct Associate Professor at HKU Business School. He has over 25 years of experience in alternative investments and asset and wealth management, serving as an investor relations (IR) professional and managing IR teams globally. He graduated with a degree in Economics from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada, and obtained his M.B.A. from the University of Houston in Victoria, Texas. He also completed a senior executive course at Harvard and Tsinghua Universities.

 

DR. ZENKI KWAN

Dr. Kwan, an Adjunct Associate Professor at HKU Institute of China Business, is the Chief Investment Officer of a single-family office based in Hong Kong, where he spearheads the firm’s investment strategy and chairs the Investment Committee. Dr. Kwan began his career at McKinsey, Samsung Securities, UBS, and J.P. Morgan, progressing from a management consultant and equity researcher to a corporate finance banker.

Dr. Kwan obtained his DBA from SBS Swiss Business School in Switzerland. He holds a Master of Finance from HKU and a Master of Applied Business Research from SBS Swiss Business School. He also graduated with a first-class honors degree in Business Administration from HKUST and completed Harvard Law School Executive Education Program and Oxford Fintech Program. Dr. Kwan holds professional qualifications such as FRM, FCPA (Fellow of CPA Australia), CAIA, EFFAS Certified ESG Analyst® (CESGA), and CB, and has earned a Certificate in ESG Investing from the CFA Institute.

2025 October Intake

Remark: Tentative timetable is subject to change and module commencement is subject to sufficient enrollment numbers.

Application Fee

HK$150 (Non-refundable)

Course Fee

• Course Fee : HK$96000 per programme (HK$15,000-18,000 per module)

Applicants shall hold a bachelor’s degree awarded by a recognised institution. Those with a business-related degree would have an advantage.

If the degree or equivalent qualification is from an institution where the language of teaching and assessment is not English, applicants shall provide evidence of English proficiency, such as:

1. an overall band of 6.0 or above with no subtests lower than 5.5 in the IELTS; or
2. a score of 550 or above in the paper-based TOEFL, or a score of 213 or above in the computer-based TOEFL, or a score of 80 or above in the internet-based TOEFL; or
3. HKALE Use of English at Grade E or above; or
4. HKDSE Examination English Language at Level 3 or above; or
5. equivalent qualifications.

Applicants with other qualifications will be considered on individual merit.

Enrolment Method Payment Method