HKTA Seminar: Trust vs. Insurance — Redefining Roles in Modern Wealth Planning (25 June 2026)

Event details:

As HKTA proudly celebrates the 35th Anniversary in 2026, we are excited to unveil the various initiatives in our year-long campaign - No. 18:  Seminar on Trust vs. Insurance — Redefining Roles in Modern Wealth Planning (25 June 2026)

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About the Seminar:

In an increasingly complex wealth and geopolitical landscape, UHNW families in Hong Kong are constantly reviewing their wealth planning structures to look for ways to protect, preserve, and transfer wealth across generations. Trusts and insurance are two important tools in the wealth planning toolbox yet they serve very different purposes and operate under distinct legal, tax, and practical considerations.  Trust structures have traditionally been used for multi generational wealth succession whereas insurance fulfills the need for liquidity and income protection with leveraging.  However, in the last few years the distinction has been blurred. This panel brings together experienced practitioners for a discussion to explore trusts and insurance as wealth planning solutions, comparing their respective strengths, limitations, and ideal use cases. Through technical insights and practical examples, the discussion aims to provide new dimensions to advisors, and professionals to assist their clients in structuring their wealth in a holistic and sustainable way.

About the Speakers & Moderator: 

Sarina Cheung, Solicitor and Head of Probate and Succession Planning, Commerce and Finance Law Offices

Sarina Cheung is a consultant and the Head of Probate and Succession Planning in the global private wealth and family office practice of Eric Chow & Co. in Association with Commerce and Finance Law Offices.

Sarina specialises in wills and probate, trust management, mental health law, and litigation. Her expertise encompasses both contentious and non-contentious trust and probate matters, along with succession and wealth planning.

Prior to joining Commerce & Finance, Sarina was a consultant at an independent local firm for 2 years and spent 3 years at a leading international law firm. Her extensive hands-on experience in estate administration includes 11 years in the private banking sector with her last position as the head of the probate services department at a well-established trust and banking corporation in Hong Kong.

Currently, Sarina serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and as the Chairman of the Will and Estate Sub-Committee. She is also a part-time lecturer for the "Wills, Estates, and Trust Planning" course in the PCLL programme at the University of Hong Kong. Additionally, she is an independent member of the Professional Development and Training Sub-Committee of the Hong Kong Trustees' Association, a member of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Review Tribunal in Hong Kong, and a member of the Hong Kong SAR Government's Housing Appeal Tribunal (Housing).

Recently, Sarina was selected for the "Outstanding Private Client Practitioner" category in the 2025 Global Elite Private Client Guide—a peer-nominated directory recognizing exceptional lawyers in the global private wealth management sector.

James Russell, Co-Regional Head of Asia, Zedra (Hong Kong) Limited 

James has extensive experiences building, leading and integrating trust, funds and corporate services businesses across Europe and Asia, balancing a client-focused approach with a wide understanding of risk management, compliance and operation efficiency.  In 2018, he was shortlisted as 'Trustee of the Year' in Citywealth's annual Future Leaders Awards 2018, and, in younger years, was listed in eprivateclient's Top 35 Under 35, for which he is now regretfully ineligible.  James has a wide background of experience in providing high quality trust and corporate services to individuals and businesses with an expectation of quality, having gained experience in Hong Kong, Singapore the Isle of Man and Cyprus. An Associate of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and member of the Securities and Investments Institute, James has a thorough understanding of the complexity of international fiduciary services.

Carlie Wong, Insurance Professional, CFP® and Certified Trust Practitioner

Carlie Wong is a CFP® and CTP™ professional specialising in protection and wealth advisory, with a focus on insurance solutions, trust integration and multi‑generational succession planning for HNW and UHNW families across Asia. 

Drawing on a multi‑disciplinary background spanning insurance, bank financing, wealth management and trust, she brings a holistic perspective to wealth and legacy decisions, connecting protection planning with long‑term structuring strategies. 

Carlie is a member of the Joint HKTA/STEP China Development Sub‑Committee and the Institute of Financial Planners of Hong Kong (IFPHK). She also holds various positions within The Life Underwriters Association of Hong Kong (LUAHK), including serving on the editorial board of its flagship magazine and contributing thought‑leadership articles, most recently “The Family Wealth Engine Behind an Insurance Policy” (Spring 2026).

Fan Choi, HKTA Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of the Family Office Sub-Committee

Fan is a seasoned wealth planner and trusts & fiduciary professional, having worked in European private banks in regional roles and in private practice as a solicitor in Hong Kong.

As we celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the HKTA and 25 years of the MPF system, we recognize the responsibility that comes with this milestone and reaffirm our pledge to continue guiding the industry’s future with vision and purpose.