On 17 March 2025, Hong Kong Chu Hai College hosted the “Ng Teng Fong · Sino Group Presidential Distinguished Lecture Series.” The College was honored to invite Professor Roger King, a family business scholar, to deliver a lecture titled “From Family Business to Business Family to Family Office,” which explored the challenges of family business succession and the future development of family offices.

Professor King has excelled in both business and academia. He has held several prominent positions, including Non-Executive Director of Orient Overseas (International) Limited, Chief Operating Officer of Orient Overseas (Holdings) Limited, Chairman and Founder of ODS System-Pro Computers Limited, Chairman of Euro-Asia Shipyard Limited and Pacific Coffee Limited, Chairman of Pacific Coffee Limited, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Sa Sa International Holdings Limited. In academia, he is the Founder and Senior Advisor of the Roger King Center for Asian Family Business and Family Office and the Thompson Center for Business Case Studies. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Finance at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and is a Board Member of the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy.

 Interim President Ms. Jane Zhang of HKCHC (left) presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Professor Roger King.

In the lecture, Professor King analyzed the development and challenges of family businesses from the perspectives of their past, present, and future. He noted that traditional Chinese family businesses often lack trust in non-family employees, with succession typically following the first-born son. In contrast, modern family businesses are increasingly willing to hire non-family professional managers, while many next-generation members prefer to start their own ventures, resulting in decreased involvement in the family business.

Family Offices The Core of Future Family Business Development

Professor King emphasized the transition of family businesses from "business families" to "family offices". As business life cycles shorten and human lifespans increase, family offices will become a crucial platform for family continuity. Family offices not only facilitate investment management, family governance, and social activities but also serve as a "glue" that helps preserve family wealth, legacy, and sustainability through family trusts, philanthropic foundations, and governance systems.

Professor Roger King shares the role and development of family offices in family inheritance.

Family offices should be tailored to the unique characteristics of each family. He suggested that high-net-worth Chinese families adopt a more informal and less structured management model, led by the family head, with responsibilities assigned based on members’ areas of expertise. Families may also consider adopting a multi-family office (EFO) approach for pooled investments and wealth preservation.

In conclusion, Professor King summarized the dynamic evolution of family businesses, emphasising the critical role of family offices in ensuring long-term sustainability. His insights provided valuable guidance on family wealth management and succession planning, offering students forward-looking perspectives.

Students and faculty participate actively.