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Special report

Infographic: Hong Kong family businesses

March 13, 2015

Leadership transition is a cause of concern for many family businesses in Hong Kong, but could increasing competition form Shanghai and Beijing spell the end for family-run companies in the district?

Business and wealth is heavily intertwined in Hong Kong – the special administrative region of China that operates under its “one country, two systems” principle. The statement is particularly true of family businesses in the region, where up to 60% of all business are family controlled. Among the best known are Hutchinson Whampoa, owned by Li Ka-Shing, the richest man in Asia, and Chow Tai Fook, a conglomerate with interests in jewellery and property.

Talent gap to slow growth in US family businesses

January 28, 2015

Almost two-thirds of US family businesses see recruitment of skilled personnel as a major challenge in the next 12 months and are predicting that the issue is likely to hamper growth, new research has revealed.

The PwC survey of 154 mid-sized US family businesses also found that 66% of respondents believe that staffing issues are likely to get worse over the next five years with many investing in training in order retain employees.

CampdenFB’s Top 10 family business issues in 2015

January 23, 2015

2014 was a lively year for family businesses, from Abigail Johnson’s succession at Fidelity, to the Market Basket ownership struggle and of course Korean Air’s infamous ‘nut rage’ incident. Here we take a look at some of the issues we think will remain top-of-mind for 2015 and the family businesses to watch.

1: Shareholder revolts

Hidden Treasure: A look into the world of freeports

January 23, 2015

The demand for state-of-the-art warehouses to park art and other valuable collectibles is growing – due in no small part to their tax-free advantages. So does it make sense for a family office to hide its art away?

North American family offices turning off co-investment?

December 19, 2014

Family offices in North America are not collaborating on investments as much as originally thought. Why is the world’s largest wealth market cool on the concept, when it’s so popular in other parts of the globe?

The popular belief that family offices in North America regularly invest together has been challenged by the Global Family Office Report 2014, finding instead that they are the least likely to co-invest.

According to the report, 61% of family offices in North America co-invested together last year, while in European offices this figure sat at 86%.

Asian family offices more self reliant than originally thought, says new research

December 8, 2014

Asian family offices are more self-reliant than originally thought, but that doesn’t mean their investment targets are being hit. This self-reliance is in keeping with an increased desire for independence.

Family offices in Asia-Pacific rely heavily on external service providers for core functions, according to the Global Family Office Report 2014, challenging a long-held stereotype that they are self-reliant. In fact, it has found that Asian offices spend roughly 20% less than those in Europe and North America.

According to the report, family offices in Asia-Pacific spend 46% of their total budget on external services, while those in North America and Europe spend between 63% and 70%, respectively.

Illiquid investments on the rise in European family offices

November 26, 2014

Investor confidence is driving more European family offices to buy into illiquid investments, according to an executive at one of Europe’s largest multi family offices.

Investor confidence is driving more European family offices to buy into illiquid investments, according to an executive at one of Europe’s largest multi family offices.

Family offices in developing economies most cost effective, says new research

November 21, 2014

Family offices in developing regions are the most cost efficient in the industry with governance and investments on par with their western peers. Is this down to operational efficiency or how offices interact with family businesses?

The family offices of Africa, Latin America and the Middle East have the lowest operating costs in the industry, according to the Global Family Office Report 2014, challenging the conventional wisdom that they are costly and underdeveloped.

Despite this, many have governance structures and investment services on par with older offices in Europe and North America, with which they have far more in common than originally thought.

Sponsored feature: The Tale of the Blue Moon Diamond

November 17, 2014

It’s like a fairy tale, but the story of the Blue Moon Diamond is true. In January of 2014, an extraordinary rock created approximately one billion years ago, in the depths of the earth was released from its long sleep from a half mile down in the darkness of the Cullinan Mine in South Africa.

Succession planning is a priority for family businesses in south-east Asia

November 12, 2014

More than two-thirds of family businesses in south-east Asia have implemented formal succession plans, as senior executives believe they are important for attracting investment, new research claims.

More than two-thirds of family businesses in south-east Asia have implemented formal succession plans, as senior executives believe they are important for attracting investment, new research claims.