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Indian telecommunications company in hot water

February 21, 2011

Reliance Communications, India’s second-largest telecommunications company, saw its shares fall by almost 50% over the last year, and further dropped by nearly 7% last week amid corruption accusations.

Shares of the family-controlled telecommunications group, headed by second-generation Anil Ambani, had been one of the worst performers in India’s stock exchange last year, and had slipped from Rs 800 (€13) to Rs 93 (€1.5).

This fall in value of the flagship company adds more worry for Ambani, who is in the middle of a federal investigation by India’s anti-corruption body. He has been accused of selling mobile phone licenses to companies at a low price, which allegedly cost the Indian government around $39 billion.

Hassans International Law Firm

February 14, 2011

Hassans is one of the world’s foremost offshore law firms, specialising in Tax, Private Client, Financial Services, Corporate and Commercial, Property, Trusts, Funds, Litigation, Shipping, Spanish Law and Trust and Company Management.

Hassans is one of the world's foremost offshore law firms, specialising in Tax, Private Client, Financial Services, Corporate and Commercial, Property, Trusts, Funds, Litigation, Shipping, Spanish Law and Trust and Company Management.

We have an old world approach to client service, but a new world approach to business and technology. We have always been professional and pragmatic, analytical and creative, rigorous and open to new ideas.

Continuity Family Business Consulting

February 14, 2011

Continuity helps clients manage the challenges and inherent conflicts of working and sharing together. Our approach is grounded in business expertise and leverages mediation, negotiation and family systems skills. We recognize the importance of the continuing family relationships at every stage of our work.

Amid profits comes battle at French luxury companies

February 4, 2011

Family-controlled Hermes will be relieved that it notched up a 25% growth in sales in 2010 as it will bolster its defence from the predatory arch rival LVMH.

In a statement, the Paris-based company said that full-year sales increased to €2.4 billion from €1.9 billion the previous year. The growth was attributed to strong business in all regions, with sales in America and Europe recording growth of 25% and 16% respectively.

Comment: Stanley Ho and how not to run a family business

January 26, 2011

Stanley Ho, the Hong Kong and Macau-based casino king, has often been a controversial figure during his long career as one of East Asia’s better-known entrepreneurs.

Stanley Ho, the Hong Kong and Macau-based casino king, has often been a controversial figure during his long career as one of East Asia's better-known entrepreneurs.

According to some sources, the casino and property entrepreneur has allegedly been linked to the Chinese organised crime group, the Triads, and allegedly collaborated with the Japanese during World War II.

Not the sort of background – it might be felt – you would want hung out for wider scrutiny.

Stanley Ho accuses family of stealing his shares

January 25, 2011

Macao casino billionaire Stanley Ho has accused his family of stealing his shares in SJM Holdings without his consent, raising debate about who would succeed Ho in the billion-dollar business.

A filing with the Hong Kong stock exchange reveals that Ho's shares in the holding company have been divided between his wives and children. Ho, chairman of SJM, said through his lawyer that he had not authorised this transfer of shares to his family.

Wendel moves to shore up its reputation

January 18, 2011

Family-controlled investment company Wendel said that it would appeal a €1.5 million fine imposed by the French market regulator AMF, as it attempts to bolster its reputation.

In a statement on 17 January, the Paris-based company said: "Wendel will appeal this ruling at the Paris Court of Appeal, which will hear in fact and law the evidence and key arguments presented by the group in order to demonstrate that Wendel has complied with the law and the regulations in force at the time."

Hermes family tightens grip on company

January 7, 2011

The founding family of Hermes International, the luxury scarves and handbag maker, was granted the right on 6 January to create a holding company to pool family shares without having to bid for the rest of the company.

The decision, which was taken by the French stock market regulator the Autorite des Marches Financiers, gives the family better protection against the unwanted advances of fellow family-owned luxury group Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

Hyundai Group bid rejected to end family feud

January 6, 2011

Hyundai Group, the South Korea-based conglomerate controlled by the Chung family, had its bid to block the sale of Hyundai Engineering & Construction to rival Hyundai Motor rejected by a court in Seoul on 4 January.

The ruling leaves Hyundai Motor, which is controlled by a rival branch of the Chung family, free to acquire the 35% share of Hyundai E&C both sides of the family had been bidding for.

Lawsuit against Porsche dismissed

January 4, 2011

A $2 billion-plus lawsuit filed against family-controlled automobile giant Porsche was dismissed by a US federal judge on 30 December 2010.

Porsche was being sued by 39 hedge funds for lying over its intentions towards Volkswagen. Specifically, they claimed Porsche disguised its intentions to takeover VW at the end of 2008.