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Family Offices &
Wealth Managers

What Is a Family Office and What Is Wealth Management?​

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Family Office (FO):

A family office is a private advisory firm set up to manage the wealth, investments, and personal affairs of a wealthy family. It acts as a centralised hub that handles everything from financial planning and investments to philanthropy, tax strategy, and succession planning.

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Family offices are typically created by ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs)—generally with £50 million or more in assets—who need highly tailored, discreet, and comprehensive wealth services.

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There are two main types:

  • Single Family Office (SFO): Serves one family exclusively.

  • Multi-Family Office (MFO): Serves multiple wealthy families, offering shared resources and expertise.

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Wealth Manager:

A wealth manager is a professional advisor or firm that provides investment advice, financial planning, and asset management services to high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs).


Wealth managers often serve a broader range of clients than family offices and may operate independently, through banks, or under boutique advisory firms.

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They focus on:

  • Investment portfolio construction

  • Tax-efficient strategies

  • Retirement planning

  • Estate and inheritance structuring

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While both serve wealthy individuals, family offices provide a more comprehensive, private, and long-term solution.

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What Services Do Family Offices and Wealth Managers Provide?​

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🔹 Core Services:

  • Investment management (public & private markets)

  • Tax planning and optimisation

  • Estate and succession planning

  • Risk management and insurance

  • Philanthropy and charitable giving

  • Wealth transfer to next generations

  • Property and luxury asset management

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🔹 Additional Family Office Functions:

  • Bill payment and budgeting

  • Private education and concierge services

  • Legal and trust coordination

  • Family governance and legacy planning

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Why Do People Use Family Offices and Wealth Managers?

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1. Customisation & Control

  • Unlike traditional retail banks, family offices and wealth managers provide highly personalised strategies tailored to the client’s unique goals, values, and risk tolerance.

2. Expertise & Sophistication

  • These professionals bring in-depth experience in managing complex wealth structures, alternative investments, international assets, and regulatory frameworks.

3. Long-Term Focus

  • Clients value multi-generational wealth preservation, which requires strategic thinking over decades—not just quarterly performance.

4. Privacy & Discretion

  • Family offices offer a private, confidential setting, often operating behind the scenes to protect a family’s identity and assets.

5. Access to Exclusive Opportunities

  • Family offices and top-tier wealth managers have access to off-market deals, alternative investments, private equity, venture capital, and institutional-grade fund managers that retail investors cannot easily reach.

6. Holistic Wealth Stewardship

  • Clients prefer to consolidate their financial life—from tax, legal, and investment matters to philanthropy and succession—under one coordinated roof.

7. Family Governance & Education

  • Many family offices support wealth education for younger generations, helping ensure responsible stewardship and cohesion across the family tree.

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Who Typically Uses These Services?

  • Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNWIs) – £50m+ net worth

  • High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) – £1m–£50m net worth

  • Founders & Entrepreneurs – post-exit or liquidity event

  • Inherited Wealth – families managing multigenerational estates

  • Professional Athletes, Celebrities, & Royalty – seeking privacy, control, and preservation

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How Do They Invest?

Family offices and wealth managers typically offer:

  • Diversified portfolios: stocks, bonds, ETFs, hedge funds

  • Private equity & venture capital

  • Real estate and property funds

  • Infrastructure and renewable energy

  • Structured products and alternatives

  • Direct investments in businesses

  • Philanthropic funds and impact investing

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Conclusion

A family office or wealth manager is more than just a financial advisor—they are a trusted partner in managing, growing, and protecting significant wealth. By offering bespoke solutions, strategic expertise, and long-term planning, they allow wealthy individuals and families to focus on their lives, businesses, and legacies, knowing their financial future is in capable hands.

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If you would like to discuss this service further, please contact us on 0208 135 0901 or book a call using the button below.

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