The Ho family’s pivotal role in Hong Kong, and Chinese and international history, is often belied by the down-to-earth nature in which they address their position. “Our family are very low-key people,” Mr Ho said. “We don’t drive Ferraris and Lamborghinis. I have a Subaru. But we live happily and I’m not a miser in any sense of the word. You just need to be satisfied – and do some good.”

Staying positively rooted…

"For years, I have said what my grandfather told me: ‘Before you receive, you must learn how to give.’"

Now in his mid-80s , Robert Hung Ngai hopes future Ho generations will perpetuate this outlook. It is one carefully nurtured throughout his own life - a time span encompassing five generations from his grandfather Sir Robert, the founding patriarch born in Hong Kong, to his own grandchildren now living around the world. To do so, he believes, it is essential the family remains in concord.

… by staying together

"I use the Chinese saying: ‘If you have just one chopstick, you can break it. If you have two, it is harder. If you have four, it is harder still.’ If the family is united, you remain. If you are separated, you become fragile. I always tell my children this. We have seen so many families that have broken up and eventually disappeared. That is why I hope they will remember this.”