5 December 2023

The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) and Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited (Metro) have officially embarked on a transformative collaboration by solidifying a two-year partnership on 5 December at HSUHK. The strategic alliance between HSUHK and Metro will propel the field of “Chinese Family Succession”, by promoting applied research and knowledge exchange training and enable a deeper understanding of family succession concepts and practices, including but not limited to family offices. This series of initiatives will benefit family business members and next-generation asset owners, international family office managers, and wealth management practitioners. 

Professor Simon S M Ho, President of HSUHK, highlighted the immense significance of the collaboration, noting “HSUHK is the only higher education institution to collaborate with a large media organisation, forging a groundbreaking partnership that spans both online and offline platforms to promote research and educational activities centred around Chinese family succession. This highlights our unwavering commitment to our ‘Liberal + Professional’ education model. With HSUHK’s strengths in applied research, business consultancy, and executive training, the collaboration with Metro will empower the society and industries by enhancing the understanding and practical implementation of family succession. This is also in-line with HKSAR government’s recent goal to develop family offices in Hong Kong”. 

Through Metro’s platforms, HSUHK will have the opportunity to expand its impact in the field of Chinese family succession even further. The collaboration will also enable HSUHK to offer a broader range of internship and job opportunities to students in the wealth management industry, thus fostering the establishment and development of family offices in Hong Kong.” President Ho added. 

During the signing ceremony, Dr John Leung, Associate Vice-President (Knowledge Exchange) and Director of the Institute of Continuing and Professional Education (ICAPE), highlighted Metro’s valuable contribution as a renowned multimedia corporation with significant influence in the Greater Bay Area. He emphasised: “The partnership with Metro provides HSUHK with extensive media resources and professional support. Through a series of radio and online programmes, this collaboration will allow the public to know more on the methods of family wealth management and encourage though interested to enrol in the courses offered by ICAPE on Chinese family succession and wealth management. As HSUHK is one of the few higher education institutions in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area that is actively involved in research on Chinese family succession and related wealth management arrangements such as family offices, ICAPE is responsible for translating these research results into professional advice to the industry through business consultation.” 

HSUHK’s Chinese Family Succession Research Centre (CFSRC) and ICAPE, along with Metro Finance and Metro Finance+ Channel, are the organising units of this collaborative project. Dr Kenneth Kwong, Co-Director of CFSRC said: “The research findings from the Centre will be shared with the public through Metro’s platforms. This initiative aims to generate greater attention towards family succession and emphasise that succession is a matter that concerns everyone. Additionally, we hope to collect more case stories related to Chinese family succession through Metro’s programmes, and further enhance the research impacts of the Centre.” 

Mr Sung Man-hei, Managing Director of Metro announced at the event, “Metro will be organising a large-scale Wealth Forum on 4 March 2024 to discuss a variety of topics related to the succession of family wealth. Topics will include trust arrangements, investment management, wealth planning, tax consultancy, and philanthropy practices. HSUHK, as our collaborative partner, will invite professionals and family members with extensive experience in family succession as guests at the forum. Notable guests will include Mr Anthony Lam, Group CEO and Deputy Chair of Golden Resources Development International Limited; Dr Haywood Cheung, President of the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Society; and Mr Alexander Law, Architect and Founder of Culture Home Group, who will share insights and experiences.” He also emphasised that the Wealth Forum aims to achieve several objectives, including the broadening of networks among stakeholders, promoting the exchange of professional knowledge, developing talent, enhancing standards for the management of family wealth, and establishing a robust ecosystem for the industry.