Corporate Operations & Governance
Solutions for Family-Owned Businesses
Comprehensive and tailored solutions to help family enterprises navigate complex governance structures, ensure smooth succession, and achieve sustainable multi-generational growth across Vietnam, Asia Pacific, and global business hubs.
Understanding Family Business
What is a Family-Owned Business?
A comprehensive overview of family business structures, their unique advantages, and critical success factors.
Definition & Overview
A Family-Owned Business (FOB) is an enterprise where the majority of ownership, control, and management rests with members of a single family. These businesses range from small local enterprises to multinational corporations spanning multiple generations.
Family businesses are characterized by their unique blend of family dynamics and business operations, creating both distinctive advantages and challenges. The interplay between family relationships and business decisions shapes their culture, governance, and long-term strategy.
Key Defining Elements:
Family members hold significant ownership stake (typically >50%);
Family involvement in strategic decision-making;
Intent to transfer business to next generation;
Shared family values influence business culture.
Global Economic Impact
Family businesses are the backbone of the global economy, contributing an estimated 70% of global GDP and employing over 60% of the worldwide workforce. From corner stores to Fortune 500 companies, they represent the most prevalent form of business organization worldwide.
Long-term Vision
Focus on generational wealth building rather than short-term profits.
Strong Values
Deep-rooted family values create distinctive company culture.
Legacy & Continuity
Family businesses often prioritize preserving and building upon the founder’s legacy, creating stability and continuity that benefits employees, customers, and communities.
Core Characteristics
Traits of Family Businesses
Family-owned businesses represent a unique organizational structure where ownership, management, and family dynamics intersect, creating both opportunities and challenges that require specialized governance approaches.
Multi-Generational Leadership
Family businesses often span multiple generations, requiring careful succession planning, knowledge transfer, and governance structures that balance tradition with innovation while managing intergenerational expectations.
Values-Driven Culture
Strong family values, legacy preservation, and long-term vision often drive decision-making, creating a unique corporate culture that prioritizes relationships, trust, and reputation over short-term gains.
Complex Ownership Structures
Ownership often involves multiple family branches, trusts, holding companies, and varying levels of involvement, requiring sophisticated governance frameworks to manage competing interests equitably.
Wealth Preservation Focus
Beyond business growth, family enterprises prioritize wealth preservation across generations, requiring integrated strategies for estate planning, tax optimization, and asset protection.
Role Ambiguity Challenges
Family members often wear multiple hats as owners, directors, and employees, creating potential conflicts that require clear role definitions, boundaries, and professional governance structures.
Local & Global Balance
Modern family businesses must balance local market expertise with global expansion opportunities, requiring sophisticated international structures and cross-border governance frameworks.
Our Service Portfolio
Comprehensive Corporate Operations & Governance Solutions
We offer end-to-end solutions tailored specifically for family-owned businesses, addressing every aspect of corporate governance, operations, and strategic growth across multiple jurisdictions.
Expert guidance on establishing family business structures that protect assets, optimize tax efficiency, and create clear governance frameworks from day one. We assist with entity selection, jurisdictional analysis, and initial corporate setup across Vietnam, Asia Pacific, and global business hubs.
✓ Entity structure optimization;
✓ Multi-jurisdictional setup;
✓ Family holding company formation;
✓ Shareholder agreements drafting.
Streamline family business operations with modern management systems while respecting established practices. We implement operational frameworks that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create scalable processes that can grow with your enterprise across generations.
✓ Process optimization & automation;
✓ Supply chain management;
✓ Quality management systems;
✓ Performance metrics & KPIs.
Comprehensive contract management services tailored for family business complexities, including inter-family agreements, vendor contracts, and partnership arrangements. We ensure all agreements protect family interests while maintaining professional business relationships.
✓ Family constitution drafting;
✓ Commercial contract review;
✓ Licensing & IP agreements;
✓ Dispute resolution clauses.
Strategic planning that aligns family vision with market opportunities, creating sustainable growth pathways that honor legacy while embracing innovation. We develop multi-generational strategies that balance risk management with expansion goals.
✓ Strategic planning & visioning;
✓ Market expansion strategies;
✓ Diversification planning;
✓ Competitive positioning.
Sophisticated financial planning that addresses both business growth needs and family wealth preservation. We provide investment strategies, capital structure optimization, and financial governance frameworks tailored for multi-generational wealth management.
✓ Family office structuring;
✓ Investment portfolio management;
✓ Capital raising & financing;
✓ Tax optimization strategies.
Immigration & Visa Services
Facilitate global mobility for family business principals and key personnel with comprehensive immigration support. We manage investor visas, work permits, and residency programs across Asia Pacific and global business hubs.
✓ Investor visa programs;
✓ Work permit processing;
✓ Residency by investment;
✓ Global mobility planning.
Build professional organizational structures that balance family involvement with merit-based management. We design HR policies, succession frameworks, and talent development programs that professionalize operations while preserving family culture.
✓ Succession planning;
✓ Family employment policies;
✓ Leadership development;
✓ Compensation frameworks.
Strategic M&A guidance for family businesses considering acquisitions, divestitures, or succession-driven transactions. We protect family interests while maximizing value through careful deal structuring and negotiations.
✓ Acquisition target identification;
✓ Due diligence support;
✓ Valuation services;
✓ Post-merger integration.
Guide family businesses through digital transformation while preserving core values and relationships. We implement technology solutions that enhance competitiveness and prepare the business for next-generation leadership.
✓ Digital strategy development;
✓ ERP & system implementation;
✓ E-commerce enablement;
✓ Cybersecurity frameworks.
Integrate environmental, social, and governance principles that align with family values and long-term legacy goals. We develop ESG strategies that enhance reputation, attract next-gen talent, and ensure sustainable business practices.
✓ ESG framework development;
✓ Sustainability reporting;
✓ Stakeholder engagement;
✓ Impact measurement.
Governance & Compliance
Establish robust governance frameworks that meet regulatory requirements while managing family dynamics. We create board structures, family councils, and compliance systems that protect the business and family relationships.
✓ Board structure & composition;
✓ Family governance councils;
✓ Regulatory compliance;
✓ Risk management frameworks.
Global Insights
Family Business Structures: Vietnam vs Global Hubs
Understanding the key differences in family business regulations, governance requirements, and operational frameworks across major business jurisdictions helps you make informed decisions about where and how to establish your enterprise.
Legal Framework & Structure
Entity Types: Vietnam offers Limited Liability Companies (LLC) with 1-50 members, Joint Stock Companies (JSC) for larger enterprises, and Partnerships. Family businesses typically choose LLCs for simplicity or JSCs for growth-oriented structures.
Foreign Ownership: Recent reforms allow 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, though certain industries maintain restrictions. Family businesses from overseas can establish wholly foreign-owned enterprises (WFOEs) or joint ventures.
Governance Requirements: Vietnamese law requires clear separation between ownership and management roles, with specific requirements for Members’ Council (LLC) or Board of Directors and Supervisory Board (JSC).
Key Differentiators
Rapidly expanding consumer base with strong domestic demand.
Lower operational costs compared to other APAC hubs.
Gateway to ASEAN with multiple FTAs in place.
Continuous legal reforms favoring business establishment.
Legal Framework & Structure
Entity Types: Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd) is the preferred structure for family businesses, offering liability protection with flexible ownership arrangements. Holding company structures are popular for multi-generational wealth management.
Foreign Ownership: Singapore allows 100% foreign ownership with minimal restrictions. Efficient company registration process (often completed within 1-2 days) makes it ideal for international family businesses.
Governance Requirements: Minimum one local director required, with flexible board structures. Family businesses can implement customized governance through shareholders’ agreements and company constitutions.
Key Differentiators
World-class banking, wealth management, and capital markets.
17% corporate tax with various incentives and no capital gains tax.
English common law system with robust IP protection.
Legal Framework & Structure
Entity Types: Private Limited Company is the standard choice for family businesses. Hong Kong’s simple incorporation process and flexible corporate structures make it attractive for holding companies and regional headquarters.
Foreign Ownership: No restrictions on foreign ownership. Companies can be 100% foreign-owned with no minimum capital requirements, making it accessible for family businesses of all sizes.
Governance Requirements: Minimum one director (can be non-resident) and one shareholder required. No requirement for company secretary to be resident, offering flexibility for international families.
Key Differentiators
Primary access point for mainland China business and investment.
Only Hong Kong-sourced income is taxed at 16.5%.
No customs tariffs and minimal trade barriers.
Legal Framework & Structure
Entity Types: UAE offers mainland LLCs, Free Zone companies, and offshore structures. Free Zones like DIFC and ADGM provide international arbitration and common law frameworks ideal for family business governance.
Foreign Ownership: Recent reforms allow 100% foreign ownership in most mainland activities. Free Zones have always permitted full foreign ownership with additional benefits like repatriation guarantees.
Governance Requirements: Mainland requires local service agent for certain activities. Free Zones offer flexible governance with no minimum director requirements and streamlined compliance.
Key Differentiators
No personal income tax and minimal corporate taxation.
Bridge between East and West with excellent connectivity.
Long-term residency for investors and family members.
Legal Framework & Structure
Entity Types: LLCs and Corporations (C-Corp, S-Corp) are primary options. Delaware and Wyoming are popular for holding structures due to favorable laws. Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs) are widely used for estate planning.
Foreign Ownership: Generally unrestricted, though certain industries (defense, media) have limitations. CFIUS review may apply for sensitive sectors. State-level variations in corporate law offer flexibility.
Governance Requirements: Varies by state and entity type. Strong legal framework for shareholder agreements, buy-sell provisions, and family governance structures. Sophisticated trust and estate planning options available.
Key Differentiators
World’s largest consumer market with strong purchasing power.
Sophisticated trust structures for wealth transfer.
Deepest capital markets for growth and exit options.
Our Methodology
How We Analyze & Match Solutions
Our systematic approach ensures we understand your unique family business dynamics and match you with the most appropriate comprehensive or tailored solutions for sustainable success.
Initial Discovery & Assessment
We begin with a comprehensive consultation to understand your family business history, current structure, ownership dynamics, and long-term vision. This includes reviewing existing governance documents, shareholder agreements, and organizational charts to identify gaps and opportunities.
Family Dynamics Analysis
Understanding the human element is crucial. We assess family relationships, generational perspectives, individual aspirations, and potential conflict areas. This analysis helps us design governance structures that balance family harmony with business efficiency.
Jurisdictional & Regulatory Review
We evaluate your current and planned jurisdictions against your business objectives, considering tax implications, regulatory requirements, ownership restrictions, and governance frameworks. This includes analysis of Vietnam, Asia Pacific hubs, and global business centers.
Solution Design & Customization
Based on our analysis, we design a tailored solution package combining relevant services from our portfolio. This may include governance framework design, entity structuring, succession planning, operational improvements, and strategic initiatives—all customized to your specific needs.
Implementation & Ongoing Support
We work alongside your team to implement solutions, provide training, and ensure smooth adoption. Our relationship continues with regular reviews, compliance monitoring, and adaptive adjustments as your family business evolves across generations.
Get Started Today
Request Your Consultation
Complete this form to help us understand your family business needs. Our team will analyze your information and match you with comprehensive or tailored solutions.