The Rise of Philanthropy in Asia

Philanthropy is becoming an area of keen interest for wealthy families and individuals who want to marry their intrinsic values and beliefs with their commercial savvy to positively impact society.

A one-size-fits-all approach to private wealth planning does not really work, and the same can be said about philanthropy in this context. From common and civil law issues around wealth structuring, and religious and cultural perspectives around philanthropy, to discrete country-by-country challenges around government attitudes to wealth, clients expect bespoke planning that best fits with their objectives.

In this panel discussion our philanthropy, tax and trust experts covered a range of topics that include the role of philanthropy in multi generation succession planning, how to formulate the right philanthropy strategy and tax considerations associated with philanthropic activities in Singapore.

If you have missed the live webinar, you may watch a recording of it below.

Should you have any queries, please contact Desley Tan at desleytan@kpmg.com.sg or +65 9628 2098.

Partner, Real Estate and Asset Management, Tax and Head of Family Office & Private Client
KPMG in Singapore

Stephen has over 18 years of tax advisory experience. He has advised across a range of industries and the diversity of his experience has given him a deep understanding of international taxation. He has developed particular expertise in the asset management and private client space. Prior to joining KPMG, Stephen was a Partner with the Tax and Private Client team of the Singapore office of an international private client law firm. In this role, he advised Ultra High Net Worth clients on the design and implementation of wealth planning structures including the use of single-family offices. Stephen advised on almost all aspects of these structures including Singapore tax and regulatory matters.

Director, Trust Services, Private Wealth
Vistra Singapore

Amy has over 15 years of experience working in wealth management and wealth planning, servicing High Net-Worth clients from South East Asia and Greater China region. She has worked with many prestigious Asian families on their succession planning and prominent Chinese families on their cross-border wealth planning. Amy is familiar with many trust jurisdictions including HK, Singapore, BVI and Jersey, as well as Singapore Family Office set up and Charitable Trust set up. Amy has developed her passion in philanthropy through helping families to structure their wealth preservation and wealth transfer.

Adjunct Lecturer, China Global Philanthropy Institute
Founder, Alliance For Good

Wei Zheng teaches strategic philanthropy and philanthropy planning at the China Global Philanthropy Institute founded by Bill Gates, Ray Dalio, and three leading Chinese philanthropists. He is the Founder and Director of Alliance For Good in Singapore, a board Chair at the Philanthropy Leaders Foundation in the U.S., and an Asia Pacific Leader of the Obama Foundation founded by the former U.S. President Barack Obama. With over 15 years of experience with the global nonprofit sector and philanthropy advisory business, he has advised and worked with several leading families, family offices, and private foundations across Asia and the U.S. on philanthropy planning, structuring, collaborative giving, and investing.

Director, Real Estate and Asset Management, Tax
KPMG in Singapore

Pearlyn has over 12 years of experience in this industry and her experience includes advising clients on the structuring of funds and establishment of fund management operations in Singapore. She also assists clients private clients with the set up of their investment and family office structures in Singapore. Pearlyn also provides transaction-based tax advice in the private wealth and asset management space across different asset classes including real estate; as well as advises on the structuring of cross-border downstream investments, particularly in the Pan Asia regions such as Japan, Australia, China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.