Client :

Moira Moser and her M Moser Associates

Background :

M Moser Associates is a global institution with headquarter in HK and 28 offices in different continents. Its business is about Architecture, Planning, Construction & Real Estate. They design, engineer and deliver workplace environments that bring out the best in people. Since 1981, they have built a reputation for putting people at the center of everything they do and stay at the forefront of what drives performance. Sustainable architecture is their focus.  

The Story :

With its proximity to Mainland China, ASEAN and the wider Asia region, coupled with its unique strengths and advantages, Hong Kong is the gateway to Mainland China and, thus, a super connector between the vast mainland market and the rest of the world.  Among its 28 global offices, M Moser has established the business origin in Hong Kong and expanded its regional service in other 7 mainland cities including Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Taipei, totaling almost 30% of the global presence.

According to M Moser, China is an attractive regional hub given its strategic importance in the region, the access it provides to a deep pool of talent, and its rich history in modern office design,.  Also, the market has become a magnet for many of M Moser’s high-growth clients and industries — from technology and science, healthcare, oil and gas, aerospace and more — that require a new approach to architecture and design — one that seamlessly integrates the physical, digital, and social needs of their employees.

Now, M Moser’s services have expanded beyond office interior design to include expertise in strategic planning, architecture, engineering, and IT infrastructure planning and integration. Its capabilities now include solutions for large-scale facilities, campuses and complex engineering-intensive facilities.

The Founder and her embedded private office :

Moira Moser is the Chairman & Founder of M Moser Associates. She is a recognized architect in California, the UK and Hong Kong, and a member of the American Institute of Architects. In 2001, she became one of the few women to be made a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects. She is also a Fellow of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat and is currently a member of its Advisory Group. In 2004, Moira was recognized as Hong Kong’s ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ by the Women of Influence group, and in 2008 received the prestigious Legend Award at the Contract Annual Design Award in New York.  In 2013, Moira was elected to The College of Fellows of The American Institute of Architects. The American Institute of Architects awarded Fellowship designation to her on a continuous basis.

Embedded family office (EFO) is the most common type of family office across the globe, but often the most ignored and the least discussed. It is relatively informal and its non-organized yet operation wisely existed in founder and its associated enterprises. EFO evolve in a natural, non-assuming manner over a period of years, decades even generations. It serves an important function to support the founder & the family system efficiently, while the stakeholders focus on managing and driving the business.

Learning Points :

M Moser’s success is largely due to an internal culture that encourages its people to pursue interests that align with the firm’s overall mission of delivering industry best practice. Supported by the leadership of M Moser’s Founder and Chairman, Moira Moser, and Managing Director John Sellery, the encouragement they have given to staffs paved the way for best practices in human and environmental health for global clients through projects of all scales. 

Also note the inspiring message from Moria and we will know her success lie with her persistency and positive orientation.  Read her quote “Just keep going. That’s what I’ve done all my life. Don’t stop, don’t let things push you back. Don’t think that you’re second rate for any reason. Follow your passion.”

At other hand, it heightened risks and liabilities, some of which may have catastrophic consequences and outcomes, if the EFO is not properly structured and operating poorly.  Indeed, a well-structured, well-defined, and professionally executed EFO manages risks and integrates personal services in a compliant, secure, and high-performing manner.

The risk of co-mingling personal with business affairs is serious and actions should be taken promptly.  If you need assistance, happy to talk more!