SWW in Hong Kong: A Memorable Event

One of the most rewarding aspects of my eight years with The Society of Will Writers (SWW) has been attending various events such as conferences, workshops, awards ceremonies and many others. Whether simply representing the organisation in a room or taking to the stage as a speaker, it’s always a privilege to be invited to do so. Over the years, especially post-lockdown, I’ve thrown myself into every opportunity to represent the SWW at such events and I recently embarked on one of the most exciting experiences yet.

I had the pleasure of travelling to Hong Kong for the 3rd Estate Planning and Wealth Succession Asia Forum. Organised by our partners, Estate Planning Practitioners Limited (EPPL Asia). The event brought together key figures in succession and wealth planning from across Asia, including representatives from Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, alongside professionals from the USA and Canada too. Discussions spanned topics from philanthropy to the increase in the acquisition of crypto assets and all sorts in between. With Hong Kong well on track to becoming a major financial centre, a huge amount of wealth transfer is on the horizon for its residents. It’s clear that estate planning is becoming more important for them than ever, and I’m keen for the SWW to see what more it can do to support practitioners overseas.

Handy then, that this conference presented a platform to introduce the SWW to a new audience and highlight the critical work we’re doing – not just in the UK but globally, as our reach expands. Discussing the SWW and sharing my experiences is a passion of mine, and despite a slightly jet-lag-induced ropey start, feedback from attendees reassured me that my enthusiasm came through during the talk.

A particularly eye-opening moment occurred during the first panel when the audience was asked if they had a will in place. Out of 250 professionals, fewer than half raised their hands. This situation mirrors what we’re seeing in the UK, where approximately two-thirds of the population still haven’t made a will and it reminded me clearly of the need to practice what we preach. If the SWW’s mission is to promote the importance of having a valid will, it makes perfect sense that those offering this service should also have their own plans in place – so, do you?

As the day progressed, and at a rapid pace with Typhoon Yagi approaching, I might add, we worked our way through the agenda and reached the afternoon sessions. Nick Ash, a member of the SWW PSB, was another speaker at the event, sitting on a panel that focused on the abuse of vulnerable clients. He shared his story of an elderly client who suffered financial abuse by a neighbour appointed as their attorney under a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). Thanks to Nick’s firm, the abuse was uncovered through their appointment as executors of the client’s will, ultimately resulting in the attorney receiving a prison sentence. This case underscores the importance of early estate planning and building a circle of trusted individuals, and I’m grateful to have heard him share this advice with the room.

Nick’s experience at the event left a lasting impression. Reflecting on his time in Hong Kong, he said:

Being asked to go and speak was a little left field, and left me with imposter syndrome – what could I add that would be relevant at a conference in Southeast Asia? But the organising team assured me that I would have something relevant to say and the panel leader Ang Kok Chin was a fabulous guy to get to know. I ended up speaking about mental capacity, the abuse of LPAs by family and friends and predatory marriage. It went over well, and I was widely thanked and congratulated after I spoke. In the Q&A session I ended up speaking about the introduction of the Malaysian Mental Capacity Act and the likely rate of uptake of LPAs as they are introduced over there. It was a real honour to have been invited, it taught me a lot and I made some really good new connections. The biggest lesson, the issues we face in the UK are exactly the same as practitioners the world over. The funniest moment, when I was told that the Cantonese simultaneous translator had introduced me on stage as ‘The King of Wills’.

The event wasn’t just about learning and sharing knowledge – it was also a personal adventure. By extending his stay, Nick and his wife could explore Hong Kong, a new part of the world for them. It’s safe to say Nick would return in a heartbeat if invited again.

As for myself, travelling to the other side of the world and back in just four days was no easy feat. It’s the furthest I’ve ever been from home, not just on my own, but ever in my life. As anxious as I was, I threw myself into it and have been rewarded immensely as a result. While it may seem glamorous, I assure you it was no holiday. This, for me, was purely for the benefit of the SWW. That said, I am grateful for the opportunity to explore Hong Kong, even if only briefly, with little over 48 hours spent on the ground in total. The city is by far the wettest, most hot and humid place I have ever been in my life, and never have I been so thankful for the advent of air conditioning. If there’s one request for future invites to the continent, and I hope there will be some, it’s to avoid monsoon season – I’m fairly certain my shoes are still damp from the downpour I got caught in on the Friday before coming home!

In all seriousness, I want to thank EPPL for inviting me to speak on the SWW’s behalf and congratulate them on running a highly successful event, even in the face of such challenging weather conditions. All involved did a good job, and I look forward to the details of the next instalment!

As we barrel towards the peak of event season, I’m excited to take up some further speaking opportunities. So, if Hong Kong’s a bit too far for you, then you’ll be pleased to know we’ll have a chance to catch up at a number of other events happening soon. This includes the SWW Conference on the 7^th and 8^th of October, the Southwest SWW Regional Group in Taunton on the 19^th of September, the Women in Wills Regional Lunch in Leeds on the 24^th of September and The British Wills & Probate Awards on the 10^th of October.

I hope to see you there, wherever there, may be!