Craig Ellis, head of region and principal officer for Skandia International Group in Singapore and South-east Asia, tells Hubbis why the firm is well-placed to make the most of the potential in the local market for estate planning structures and other long-term solutions.

Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese ambassador to the UK, has pledged to work with Guernsey on a range of initiatives which could be of mutual benefit to the two jurisdictions - including the introduction of Chinese banks to the island.

The Royal Court of Jersey has issued new guidance on the responsibilities of trust protectors.

Just days after a small Chinese ceramic bowl sold for HK$74 million (US$9.5 million) at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong, Christie's has announced its plans to hold auctions in Shanghai from autumn 2013.

According to a new report by Coutts, many family businesses in Hong Kong and China are facing a number of challenges, and need to undergo significant change, as ownership and managerial responsibilities are passed on to either the next generation or to non-family members.

Vistra, a global provider of trust, fiduciary, corporate and fund services, has acquired BSI’s Singapore Trust business – BSI Trust Corporation (Singapore) Limited.

Marcus Dearle, Hong Kong Office managing partner at Withers, talks to Hubbis about the tools, structures and techniques which can help individuals structure their assets to preserve wealth from the risk of divorce.

Chee Fang Theng, director, advocate & solicitor, at Pan Asia Wikborg Rein, talks to Hubbis about the decision-making process for high net worth clients in relation to the types of trust structure – as well as trustees – they use to manage their wealth.

Martin Crawford, chief executive officer at OV Group, explains how he sees the role of wealth planning evolving, especially relating to cross-border advice, including the appeal of different jurisdictions and structures.

Thomas Henze, chief executive officer of Swiss Life in Singapore, explains the role and application of investment-linked insurance solutions as a key component of wealth structuring in areas such as succession planning, asset protection and tax optimisation.

Peter Golovsky, managing director and global head of private clients at Amicorp Group in Hong Kong, explains what today’s increasingly transparent and compliant world means for fiduciary services, and for the role of advice in wealth planning.

The long-awaited Foundations (Guernsey) Law 2012 came into force on Tuesday, 8 January 2013, with the Guernsey foundations register opening the following day.

Guernsey-headquartered Richmond Fiduciary Group has set up its own representative office in Shanghai’s Jing'an district.

William Ahern, principal of Family Capital Conservation, looks at some of the issues and risks which can arise in structures which fulfill the desire by clients to retain as much control as possible over a trust – and explains how to tackle these effectively.

High net worth Indians can invest abroad and obtain residency and citizenship to achieve their financial and non financial goals, says Prashant Ajmera of Ajmera Capital.

Nigel Rivers, TMF Group’s managing director in Hong Kong, and regional director of private clients for the firm in Asia Pacific, explains to Hubbis why the firm is well-positioned to prosper in an environment of greater complexity – but one which requires a tailored and independent approach yet with sufficient global scale.

The Indian School of Business (ISB) is creating a Management Programme for Family Business (MFAB).

Vistra Fund Services is further expanding in Asia with the opening of a Singapore office.

Alex Cho, managing director at Intertrust Group in Hong Kong, talks to Hubbis about the increasing interest in trusts from wealthy mainland Chinese as part of the realisation of the value of proper estate and succession planning – and explains how to make the most of this business opportunity.

International law firm Withers has hired Simon Michaels as a partner in the firm’s Singapore office.

Andrew Miller, partner and global head of trust at Walkers, and Lee Syin Long, head of trusts for Walkers in Asia, talk to Hubbis about how advisers and clients should think about structuring their assets in a more burdensome environment.

The Hong Kong government has published the consultation conclusions of the detailed legislative proposals on trust law reform – which seeks to clarify trustees' duties and powers, to better protect beneficiaries' interests, and to modernise the trust law.

Wither has relocated US qualified lawyer Erik Wallace from London to Hong Kong in response to the increasing demand across Asia for advice on US tax and wealth planning issues.

Peter Triggs, managing director, and head of international clients and wealth structuring at DBS Private Bank, explains to Hubbis how Swiss private banks – and the industry generally – should redefine value propositions and engage Asia in a more meaningful way.

Peter Triggs, managing director, and head of international clients and wealth structuring at DBS Private Bank, explains to Hubbis the many considerations for clients around ensuring they get the most appropriate advice on their wealth planning needs.

Markus Grossmann, managing director of Trident Trust in Singapore, talks to Hubbis about some of the main trends and opportunities in wealth planning in Asia, and explains the need for greater education and knowledge to address current shortcomings.

RBC Wealth Management is bolstering its trust offering by hiring Lionel Choi as a private client director in Singapore.

Bernard Rennell, chief executive officer, North Asia, global private banking, and global head of private wealth solutions at HSBC Private Bank, discusses the bank’s approach to – and the increasing significance of – tax structuring and trusts for local clients.

The UK and US governments have signed an agreement to improve international tax compliance and implement FATCA.