The Evolving Family Office Ecosystem in Hong Kong

Giorgio Valente currently leads the HKIMR, the research institute of the Hong Kong Academy of Finance and affiliate of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Finance of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Business School and he serves as Fellow of the Asian Bureau of Finance and Economic Research (ABFER).

Giorgio previously held academic roles at leading universities in the UK and Hong Kong and his work has been published in academic journals in finance and economics. His thought leadership activity currently focuses on innovation in financial services, green and sustainable finance and regional financial market developments.

Prior to his current role, Giorgio has provided consulting expertise to institutions such as the US Federal Reserve, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Bank for International Settlements.

Kerr Poon brings over a decade of investment and research expertise in the financial industry. He currently serves as the director of a wealth management company. Additionally, he is the Chair of the University Outreach Committee and heads the family office pillar of the Continuing Education Committee at CFA Society Hong Kong.

Prior to this, Kerr worked at a single-family office in Hong Kong, where he was responsible for internal fundamental research and developing proprietary models to identify opportunities in both the Hong Kong and global markets. Before that, he was employed at a private equity investment firm specializing in the alternative energy sector.

Kerr holds both the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designations. He graduated with first honors in his Bachelor of Engineering degree from a double degree program at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he also earned an Integrated BBA degree.--

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As the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at CFA Institute, Scott leads the APAC North and South Partnerships and Client Solutions teams in engaging key industry stakeholders to promote the highest standards of education and professional excellence. His work includes collaborating with financial institutions and universities on industry research, professional learning, and investor protection initiatives.

Representing CFA Institute, Scott also supports regulatory authorities in capacity building, partners with professional bodies and associations in educating the wider community, and assists employers in upskilling their workforce.

Scott holds a Master’s degree in International Management, a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, a Bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance, and a Bachelor’s degree in Computing.-

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Ms. Ka Shi Lau completed a 25-year tenure with BCT Group (a key player in the pension and asset servicing industries) in June 2024, having served as Managing Director & CEO for 22 years and Senior Advisor for 2 years. During her tenure, she led the group to new horizons with transformations, driving innovation and responsible growth. With a sense of purpose and in service of the Greater Good, Ka Shi now focuses on enhancing corporate governance, sustainability, financial / retirement protection, community wellbeing and advancing Hong Kong's status as a leading IFC.  Currently, she is the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trustees’ Association, Vice Chairman of the Asian Corporate Governance Association, and INED of Citibank (Hong Kong), Chairman of Hospital Authority MPFS Supervisory Committee, and also actively serves on public / professional bodies, including MPFA, SFC, Our Hong Kong Foundation, Hong Kong Retirement Schemes Association, HKICPA and Golden Age Foundation.  Her public role included Hospital Authority, Minimum Wage Commission, Women’s Commission, Community Investment & Inclusion Committee (CIIF), and Independent Commission of the HKSAR Government. 

In recognition of her public service, Ka Shi was awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star (BBS) by the HKSAR Government in 2013.  Among multiple awards she garnered, she was the first woman to win the “Director of the Year Award” in the “Private Companies, Executive Director” category from The Hong Kong Institute of Directors, and the “Lifetime Achievement Award” honoured by UK-based Markets Group in 2025 and “Lifetime Achievement Award–MPF” at the Asia Asset Management’s 2021 “Best of the Best Awards”. 

Ka Shi holds an MBA from Cornell University and “Executive Leadership Programme in Global Finance” Certificate from the Global Economics and Finance of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.  She was awarded Honorary Fellow of the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute (HKSI) and a Fellow of both the Chartered Governance Institute (FCG) and the Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute (HKFCG). Moreover, given her musical expertise, she serves as pianist at church for many years.

Tom Fong joined the HKIMR in 2022 as a senior manager leading research projects that are of strategic importance to Hong Kong and relevant to the financial services industry and regulators. Prior to his current role, he worked in the Research Department and the Risk and Compliance Department at the HKMA. He obtained his Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Hong Kong.

Stephanie Choi has close to two decades of experience in financial markets with a career spanning across institutional and private wealth investment. At UBS, she focuses on the development of credible sustainable investing ideas and solutions to private wealth investors and family offices. Prior to UBS, she was Partner at Sustainable Finance Initiative. Stephanie is a graduate of the University of Cambridge (MA Economics) and a SASB FSA Credential holder.

Mr. Kevin Liem is the Treasurer of the Council and Court of Hong Kong Baptist University, where he also serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee, Investment Committee, and Superannuation Fund. He is currently the Chief Investment Officer of a Hong Kong based family office.

Prior to that, he was the Chief Investment Officer for the Asian region at Swiss private banking group Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique SA, following his tenures with Aetos Capital’s Asia Pacific Speculative Investment Fund and UBS Investment Bank’s Investment Banking Department respectively.

Mr. Liem is the Chairperson of the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute (HKSI). He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and a Certified Public Accountant. He holds a Master of Taxation from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Toronto.

In addition, Mr. Liem serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Master of Wealth Management programme at the University of Hong Kong. He is also a regular guest host and columnist for various financial media platforms, and serves on the boards and advisory committees of several organisations.

Furuzonfar Zehni is a Hong Kong–based investor and executive with over a decade of experience across trust services, wealth management, and venture capital. As Managing Director of Jefferson Trust, he advises clients on cross-border wealth structuring and fiduciary matters, while as a Partner at Fresco Capital he oversees investments in a global portfolio of more than 50 companies spanning holistic wellness, empowered talent, and sustainable networks.

Earlier in his career, Furuzonfar built and scaled businesses in data analytics and investment advisory, following a start at Ernst & Young. He holds a dual degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Hong Kong. A TEDx license holder and mentor with Founder Institute and the Laudato Si Challenge, he is also engaged with the Shahidi Foundation, championing economic and cultural empowerment.

Tim Chan is the Head of Sustainability Research (Asia Pacific ex Japan) at a bulge bracket investment bank. He is a Co-Chair of the Continuing Education Committee of CFA Society Hong Kong and heads the ESG Pillar.

Previously, Tim was a senior ESG analyst at Manulife Investment Management where he led the ESG integration, research, and engagement efforts in North Asia. Before that, he worked as an advisory manager at Ernst & Young within their climate change and sustainability services team.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biotechnology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and a Master of Science in Environmental Management from the University of Hong Kong. He is also a CFA charterholder, a chartered environmentalist and an EFFAS certified ESG analyst. He currently serves as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

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