HKUST Business School Magazine

A force for good In line with this, PBIG has included philanthropy advisory as a new technical skill and competency, while WMI has added a certificate course in philanthropy and social impact to its own list of training programs. The course is expected to touch on key IPP concerns ranging from climate action and poverty alleviation to inclusive education and health care, showing how families can use their wealth as a force for good. It will sit alongside WMI’s signature “Certified Family Office Advisor” program, which uses practice-led discussion to teach communication strategies and key steps needed to establish a family charter, understand governance tools and structures, and manage the transfer of assets. Altogether, WMI delivers over 20,000 training places annually to meet burgeoning demand across its entire programme suite. A typical family office class might include wealth and asset managers, lawyers, trustees and tax accountants. The participants learn from practitioners at the cutting edge. “We teach concepts and cases, and we ask the class to advise on structures and issues the client should consider,” Foo says. “A family office is complex, it needs a team, and the rules change. So you have to be alert.” In Singapore, the sector’s speed of growth, and how far it can go, is definitely a hot topic. “My argument is always quality versus quantity. I’m less worried about the numbers and more about how we support these families so they can achieve all their goals and aspirations,” Foo says. We want to inspire a broader movement for impactful giving Foo Mee Har Chief Executive Officer of WMI Biz@HKUST 35