Many advisers who work with families come from one world – law, finance or philanthropy. Our founder has spent 20 years moving between all three, across two continents and three languages. That breadth is what allows Covent to sit at the table with the whole family – not just one generation, not just one function – and help them find common ground.
Private banking at HSBC: deep familiarity with HNWI relations, wealth structures and philanthropic portfolios across Asia and the UK
Philanthropy advisory: helped families move from ad hoc giving to intentional, value-driven strategies with lasting impact
Trilingual: English, Mandarin, Cantonese: able to work across generations where language itself is part of the dynamic
Independent: no product to sell, no institutional agenda. Covent’s only interest is the family’s long-term wellbeing
Covent Impact helps families align how they govern, what they stand for, how they give, and how the next generation steps up, so that what they’ve built endures and what they give back matters.
Giving more thoughtfully | Foundation design | Impact strategy | Grantmaking implementation | Storytelling
Governance architecture | Purpose & values alignment | Succession planning | Next-gen engagement | Legacy
We also advise the foundations, hospitals, universities and nonprofits that families create and support.
We support clients in the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore and beyond at every stage of their impact journey. Our work is structured around three core areas:
We help you articulate your purpose, understand your landscape, and develop a clear, actionable strategy for impact.
We work primarily with multigenerational families and the purpose-driven institutions they create, support and care about. Our clients are united not by sector but by a shared challenge: navigating questions of purpose, belonging and legacy that require both strategic clarity and deep trust.
Navigating purpose, governance, succession and giving – typically with established wealth and members across multiple jurisdictions. Some families come to us through philanthropy; others through family governance and succession. Both conversations tend to lead to the same place.
Foundations, nonprofits, universities and hospitals – where the same questions of strategy, governance and legacy arise. This work draws on the same skill set as the family work and frequently connects to family priorities.
Trust companies, law firms, MFOs, financial advisers and communication partners – Covent works alongside them, not in competition with them, as a complementary adviser at the strategic and relational layer.
Impact Starters are short, targeted engagements designed to help families gain clarity, surface what matters, and decide on next steps – without committing to a longer programme or work.
They are ideal if you are:
Starting with Governance: Family Purpose Conversation | Governance Readiness Scan | Next-Generation Conversation
Starting with Philanthropy: Giving Intentions Session | Philanthropic Landscape Briefing | Foundation and Trust Design Conversation
Starting with Both: Family Legacy Mapping Session
Delivered in person or online across Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK, Impact Starters are time-efficient, high-impact and tailored to your context.
Francis Hon founded Covent Impact to help families and purpose-driven institutions navigate the questions that matter most: how to clarify what you value, how to build structures that endure, and how to deploy resources in ways that are coherent, meaningful and lasting.
I’ve spent many years helping families and organisations think through the hardest questions about purpose, giving and wealth. Is there a more rewarding career?
At the same time, I’ve seen too many missed opportunities – funds sitting idle due to indecision, miscommunication with partners on purpose and goals, family members at odds over direction. It’s disheartening when passion and good intentions don’t translate into meaningful impact.
That’s why I founded Covent. The journey from family intent to lasting legacy can be exciting, but also complex – full of ideas, moving parts and relationships that need tending. Covent exists to be your partner in that journey: bringing the strategic clarity and relational depth to help you build something that truly endures.
Covent Garden in London is one of my favourite places in the world. I’ve spent countless memorable days and nights in its theatres, restaurants, bars, and at my beloved Royal Opera House. It’s a place where people connect, exchange ideas and live life to the fullest. Covent Impact shares that spirit: meeting people where they are, engaging in meaningful dialogue, and helping them bring their passion and vision to life.
We look forward to joining you on this journey.
Francis Hon
Founder & Managing Partner
Francis Hon founded Covent Impact to multigenerational families and purpose-driven institutions navigate the questions that matter most: how to clarify what you value, how to build structures that endure, and how to deploy resources in ways that are coherent, meaningful and lasting.
Francis has held senior roles across finance, philanthropy, higher education and consulting. At HSBC Private Bank in Hong Kong, he advised over 50 family offices and charitable trusts on philanthropy strategy, governance frameworks and the alignment of wealth with purpose. His work spanned Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK and Mainland China, with assets under management exceeding US$1 billion.
At the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the largest foundation in Hong Kong, he evaluated and developed charitable projects across education and youth development.
As Director of Asia Initiatives at the University of Chicago, Francis built and led a social innovation programme that created alumni and corporate communities, and strengthened the University’s external engagement across Hong Kong and Singapore.
Before founding Covent, he led governance, sustainability and business ethics consultancy projects for corporates and a major foundation at GoodCorporation, including on-site work across Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and the UK.
Alongside his work at Covent, Francis serves as a trustee of Adenydd, Hitchin Girls’ School and the British Schools Museum.
Covent Garden in London is one of Francis’ favourite places in the world. He loves reading and playing the piano, and has a passion for cooking for family and friends. His global perspective is often seen in the food he prepares.
