About

Howard Bilton, a British-born entrepreneur and barrister, has made a multifaceted impact on tax advisory services, philanthropy, and the wine industry in Portugal and beyond. His ventures reflect a unique blend of business acumen and social responsibility, creating a lasting legacy in each sector he touches. 

Tax

As the chairman and founder of The Sovereign Group, Bilton has significantly influenced the tax landscape, particularly for expatriates and international businesses. The Group provides comprehensive tax planning and wealth management services, which help clients navigate complex tax systems. By doing so, it supports individuals and companies to optimize their tax positions within the legal framework, fostering an environment that is conducive to foreign investment and economic growth in Portugal. 

Charity

In the realm of charity, Bilton’s establishment of The Sovereign Art Foundation has made a notable impact on the local and international art scenes. The foundation not only recognizes and supports artists through awards and exhibitions but also raises substantial funds for charitable causes. A significant portion of its work is dedicated to using art as a medium for educational and healing purposes, particularly for disadvantaged children. Through these initiatives, Bilton has harnessed the power of art to make a tangible difference in the lives of many, providing both cultural enrichment and social support. 

 Wine

With Howard’s Folly, Bilton has ventured into the wine industry, intertwining the worlds of oenology and art. The winery is known for producing high-quality wines that reflect the rich terroir of Portugal, contributing to the country’s reputation as a producer of fine wines. Beyond the production, Howard’s Folly serves as a cultural destination, hosting art exhibitions and events that attract visitors from around the world. This unique concept not only promotes Portuguese wine but also elevates the cultural experience of wine tasting, setting a precedent for how wineries can engage with the arts. 

Overall Impact

Howard Bilton’s impact in the fields of tax, charity, and wine is characterized by a forward-thinking approach that leverages professional expertise to foster cultural and social development. By integrating his business endeavors with philanthropic goals, Bilton has shown that commercial success can go hand-in-hand with making a positive social contribution. His efforts have provided a model for sustainable development, showcasing how individual dedication to professional excellence and social responsibility can lead to broad and beneficial societal impacts. 

Charles Chan is a passionate Registered Arts (Expressive Arts) Therapist. With a firm belief in the power of arts to heal and transform, he has been serving underprivileged families and Special Educational Needs (SEN) children in mainstream schools through the Make it Better programme.

His journey in Expressive Arts Therapy began with the realization that art has the potential to be more grounded, less judgmental, and profoundly meaningful for individuals from all walks of life. He is committed to introducing and applying Expressive Arts Therapy to those in need in our society.

In his practice, he has witnessed the transformative power of art therapy firsthand. Not only do beneficiaries gain invaluable insights and personal growth through the creative process, but as a therapist, he has also learned immensely from their imagination and creativity. It is a truly reciprocal experience that fosters a supportive and trusted relationship.

He strongly believes that therapy should not only be insightful but also enjoyable. When working with Charles, beneficiaries will encounter moments of fun, excitement, and challenge as they navigate the therapeutic process.

Christina Lum is a dedicated professional who has been serving as an Art Facilitator for the Make It Better Expressive Arts Programme at The Sovereign Art Foundation since August 2017. Her primary role is to facilitate expressive arts workshops that aim to promote the holistic development of underprivileged kindergarten and primary children with diverse educational needs.

To better understand her beneficiaries with different backgrounds, she completed the Diploma of Special Educational Needs in 2022 with distinction, enriching her knowledge and strategies for supporting the groups she serves. In September 2023, Christina took a significant step in her professional development by enrolling in the Master of Expressive Arts Therapy programme at The University of Hong Kong. Her aspiration is to promote psychological wellness and facilitate personal growth for individuals of all ages with multiple expressive arts interventions in the future.

Mimi Tung is a highly accomplished USA Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC) and Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as a passionate art educator and aesthete. After years in art administration, the integration of art and psychology has been her lifelong pursuit since her first encounter with art for mental health during the SARS outbreak in 2003. 

Before returning to Hong Kong, she worked at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Stanford and in various multicultural settings. Inspired, Mimi continues to skilfully combine multimodal arts such as visual arts, clay, photography, writing, digital art, and sand-play. She has worked with a diverse range of individuals, from toddlers to elders facing various mental challenges, in settings ranging from schools to hospitals, integrating Western and Eastern art. Mimi embraces the challenges presented by the multicultural populations she encounters, firmly believing that they can always find their own paths, as art manifests in myriad forms.   

Since joining The Sovereign Art Foundation in 2020, she has spearheaded the “Make it Better” Programme, guiding a team of expressive arts therapists in aiding underprivileged children and caregivers facing mental health challenges. As an educator, Mimi taught as guest lecturer at renowned universities in Hong Kong and in China. She was the former President of the Hong Kong Association of Art Therapists and presents regularly at international conferences, highlighting her expertise in art therapy. Mimi was also awarded as Social Enterprise Research Academy Fellow in 2024. 

Tanya is an artist and creative professional whose work spans textiles, installation, and digital media. With over 15 years of international experience across the UK, Asia, and now Lisbon, she brings a broad creative background to projects in art, design, and fashion.

She has produced work for global brands including Nike, Fendi, Christian Louboutin, and the Mandarin Oriental, while also contributing to major arts initiatives through her roles in project management and marketing.

Tanya has collaborated with the Sovereign Art Foundation in Asia and now leads its work in Portugal as Country Manager, where she oversees the Portuguese Art Prize and expressive arts programmes that support vulnerable children across the country.

Claudia Chan is a passionate Registered Arts (Expressive Arts) Therapist who believes in the transformative power of the arts. Her commitment is centred around the idea that everyone, regardless of age, should be heard and understood. To her, the arts are more than just a canvas; they are bridges that connect us. As an expressive arts therapist, Claudia is dedicated to gently bridging hearts and connecting souls, nurturing the deep ties between body, mind, and spirit.

In her professional journey, Claudia is actively involved with various organisations and educational institutions, focusing on providing therapeutic support to students with Special Educational Needs (SEN), teenagers, and their parents. This experience has enriched her understanding and enhanced her capability in delivering effective arts-based therapy, tailored to meet diverse needs and challenges.

Before embracing her role as a therapist, Claudia was a registered teacher, which provided her with additional insights into child development within educational settings. Beyond her clinical practice, she remains engaged with the arts community, contributing as an art instructor and public relations strategist. Her diverse background not only enriches her therapeutic practice but also helps her build and strengthen community ties, broadening the impact of her work.

Mirabel Webber is a university student at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, pursuing a multidisciplinary degree in Education, Arts Administration, and Studio Art. With a strong passion for both the arts and education, she aims to build a career that integrates these fields meaningfully. As a member of the Student Advisory Council at the Tang Teaching Museum, Mirabel collaborates with artists, educators, and fellow students to elevate student perspectives in the contemporary art world. Her primary artistic practices include photography and printmaking, and her work has been exhibited at venues like the Schick Art Gallery. Mirabel is currently interning at the Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF) under Tanya Bennett, where she brings her enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment to accessible art education to an international platform. She also recently spent a semester abroad in Lisbon, Portugal, deepening her global perspective on arts and education.