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Family patriarch resigns from Hong Kong Executive Council

February 18, 2008

The insider trading case at Dow Jones & Company has led to the resignation of one of Hong Kong’s Executive Council members.

The insider trading case at Dow Jones & Company has led to the resignation of one of Hong Kong’s Executive Council members. David Li, the chairman and chief executive of family-owned Bank of East Asia, told ExCo chief executive Donald Tsang that “he regretted that the matter had caused public concern and thus wished to resign from the Council.”

Media mogul's son to earn nearly $20 million

February 14, 2008

James Murdoch could net nearly $20 million in his new post at News Corp.

James Murdoch (pictured) could net nearly $20 million in his new post at News Corp. He will receive a base salary of $3.4 million in his role as head of Asian and European operations and could also earn bonuses of approximately $16 million.

However, he still has some way to go to match his father's wealth. Rupert Murdoch, CEO of News Corp, earns a reported salary of $8.1 million. He also owns 30% of the firm and is worth an estimated $9 billion.

Hong Kong family settles $24 million insider trading case

February 6, 2008

David Li, chairman and CEO of family-owned Bank of East Asia, has paid an $8.1 million civil penalty to the US Securities and Exchange Commission to settle an insider trading case.

In May 2007 the SEC launched charges against Li and three other individuals for illegal tipping and trading in the securities of Dow Jones & Company in the weeks before the public disclosure of an unsolicited acquisition offer by News Corporation. The amount paid by all four individuals totals $24 million.

Media families unite in joint venture

January 21, 2008

Two of the world’s most powerful media families have joined forces once again to make an offer for Australian firm Consolidated Media Holdings.

Two of the world's most powerful media families have joined forces once again to make an offer for Australian firm Consolidated Media Holdings. Lachlan Murdoch, the eldest son of Rupert, and James Packer (pictured), CMH's executive deputy chairman, have launched a 50/50 joint venture to acquire 100% of the firm for $4.06 per share.

CMH owns a stake in subscription television business FOXTEL, sports channel FOX Sports and online employment business SEEK. Consolidated Press Holdings, the Packer family's private company, currently owns 38% of the firm.

News Corporation acquires 14.58% of Premiere AG

January 8, 2008

News Corporation has acquired a 14.58% stake in Premiere AG, the German pay-TV operator, for €287 million in cash.

News Corporation has acquired a 14.58% stake in Premiere AG, the German pay-TV operator, for €287 million in cash. This comes only one month after James Murdoch became chief executive of News Corporation Europe and Asia. With over 10 million viewers and more than four million subscribers, Premiere AG is the leading pay-TV operator in Germany and Austria.

Global families: Making the world your oyster

January 1, 2008

In today’s globalised world, taking the family business global is unavoidable if the family wants to stay together as owners. François de Visscher and Jane Simms assess the challenges and opportunities that confront families who are faced with this decision

In today's globalised world, taking the family business global is unavoidable if the family wants to stay together as owners. François de Visscher and Jane Simms assess the challenges and opportunities that confront families who are faced with this decision

When family businesses expand beyond their national borders, the very fabric that made them successful can be torn apart by the forces of globalisation.

Murdoch family prolongs dynasty with new appointment

December 17, 2007

The long-running saga of whether Rupert Murdoch would choose one his siblings to be his successor finally looks to be over with the appointment of James Murdoch as chairman and CEO for News Corporation Europe and Asia. James, who said he was "excited to be rejoining News Corp" has resigned as CEO of News Corp's UK-based BSkyB business.

Minimising succession risks: a definitive guide

September 1, 2007

Handing over a family business to the next generation carries with it many inherent risks. Tom Davidow sets out the steps you should follow to ensure that a succession passes off successfully and the business is ready for the next phase of its development

Tom Davidow is founder and principal of Thomas D Davidow & Associates, based in Brookline, MA.

M&A: Acquiring start-ups: is the risk worth the reward?

September 1, 2007

Any acquisition undertaken is a risk – even more so when the company has innovations and ideas that are new to your business. Andrew Murray-Watson looks at family businesses that have taken the plunge and what can be learned from these transactions

Andrew Murray-Watson is business editor of The Independent on Sunday.

The family biz break - up : there's a lot at stake

May 1, 2007

Divorce has high costs, both monetarily and emotionally. Nowhere is this more true than in the world of family business, as evidenced by some high-profile cases in recent years. Love, power and ownership can all be at stake when family and business split

Suzy Bibko is editor of Families in Business.