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family offices

Tune out the noise: Toward a strategic asset allocation framework for private wealth investors

June 5, 2019

How can family office investors identify real growth opportunities in times of increased economic volatility? Multi-Asset Strategist Cara Lafond outlines how to tune out the noise to focus on long-term asset allocation.

KEY POINTS

Close to the edge: Overcoming barriers in planning family office succession

May 27, 2019

Family offices are standing on the precipice of a multi-trillion dollar transfer of wealth between generations, yet succession planning among family offices is moving at a glacial pace. What are the barriers to planning? And what should families be doing now?

The cautionary tale of India’s Ambani family should be enough to scare any patriarch or matriarch into succession action. The sudden death of Reliance founder Dhirubhai Ambani, aged 69, in 2002 sparked an acrimonious battle between his two billionaire sons, Mukesh and Anil, leading to the brothers splitting up the family business in a deal mediated by their mother. Today relations are civil, but the businesses they inherited have had very different outcomes.

Impact generation: Risks and rewards of sustainable investing for new family leaders

May 20, 2019

Ethically minded, technology savvy and eager to make a positive impact—the next generation are driving family offices’ movement into sustainable and impact investing. But are the expectation of returns realistic or are families just following a trend?

Sustainable and impact investing continue to be attractive for family offices and are among the fastest growing areas in the average family office investment portfolio. But uncertainty persists for many interested in the asset class, with fewer expert advisers compared to more traditional classes.

Family offices increased their foray into sustainable investing over the past 12 months, with more than one-third (38%) now engaged in the practice, according to The Global Office Family Report 2018 (GFOR).

'Machine on machine war' the future of cybercrime

May 3, 2018

In five years’ time, the battle to keep data secure against cyber-attacks will descend into a “machine on machine war” with the advancement of artificial intelligence, a former head of MI5 says.

In five years’ time, the battle to keep data secure against cyber-attacks will descend into a “machine on machine war” with the advancement of artificial intelligence, a former head of MI5 says.

Lord Jonathan Evans, speaking at Jersey Finance’s “An Open World” Annual Private Wealth Conference, told an audience of more than 600 family offices, wealth holders and advisers that attacks would become more sophisticated as hackers made use of semi-autonomous technology.

Family property investors feel Brexit chill

February 23, 2018

Family offices taking advantage of a weak sterling by loading up on poorly performing London real estate are likely to become more wary of investing in the UK as Brexit draws closer, advisers say.

Global family offices taking advantage of a weak sterling by loading up on poorly performing London real estate are likely to become more wary of investing in the UK as Brexit draws closer, advisers say.

Meanwhile, UK-based family offices are asking a lot of questions ahead of the 29 March, 2019 deadline, but most were yet to take action.

“London is still a magnet,” Philip Watson, Citi Private Bank’s global head of investment lab for EMEA, said this week.

FB Roundup: Swire Pacific, Point72, and Maersk

February 16, 2018

Swire Pacific brings in family member; Cohen’s Point72 accused of hostility to women; and Maersk positive despite "unusual" year.

Swire, Murugappa bring in family members

Swire Pacific has appointed its first family member chairman, a move which will see sixth-generation Merlin Swire, pictured, relocate to Hong Kong from the UK.

Swire, 45, replaces John Slosar as the head of the Hong Kong arm of John Swire & Sons (JS&S), though the latter stays on as chair of Cathay Pacific, to see the struggling airline through a transformation programme.

Get into equities despite sell-off, says Standard Chartered

February 12, 2018

Despite a tumultuous fortnight in the stock market, family offices are being encouraged to look at whether they have enough global equity exposure, with the second-longest bull market in history predicted to keep lumbering through 2018.

Steve Brice, chief investment strategist at Standard Chartered Bank, said the majority of his family office clients were under-exposed to equities, and though the past week had seen trillions wiped off stock market values, this provided opportunity for investors to buy into.

How families can preserve their wealth in a changing world

February 5, 2018

In an uncertain world the key to survival rests with those who are flexible and quick enough to adapt. The key to success sits neatly in the pockets of those who can pre-empt change and seize the opportunities it brings, says Andra Ilie, private client adviser at Knox Private Office.

For UK based ultra-wealthy family office principals, there are a number of matters to contend with and consider as we move through a time of change.

Expanding family offices set for bolder investments in 2018

January 11, 2018

Investment performance and appetite in family office portfolios, along with the number and size of family offices, are expected to grow in 2018.

Investment performance and appetite in family office portfolios, along with the number and size of family offices, are expected to grow in 2018.

The development of new investment opportunities was one of the key family office trends predicted for the New Year. Exploring new territories and markets with direct, co-investments and buy-outs in a generally favourable world economic climate were forecast for the coming 12-months.

Cyber-attacks hit 28% of UHNW families

November 15, 2017

Just 38% of high net worth families have a cyber-security plan in place, despite 28% experiencing a cyber-attack in the past and ever-growing awareness of the issue, according to new research.

Just 38% of high net worth families have a cyber-security plan in place, despite 28% experiencing a cyber-attack in the past and ever-growing awareness of the issue, according to new research.

Private & Confidential: The Cyber Security Report, by Campden Wealth Research in partnership with Schillings, shows one in 10 who were attacked lost sensitive information.