Family mobility is reshaping where family offices establish a presence

As family wealth becomes more complex, many families are rethinking where and how they structure their assets. New research from Ocorian suggests that family offices are increasingly looking beyond traditional arrangements and exploring additional jurisdictions that better support their long-term goals.

Ocorian’s study of family members and senior family office professionals overseeing a combined US$119.37 billion of wealth found that growth remains a defining theme. Nearly two-thirds (65%) said the value of their family's investments and assets has increased over the past five years, while the remaining 35% reported that values have remained stable.

Looking ahead, respondents remain optimistic about future growth. More than eight in ten respondents (85%) expect the value of their investments and assets to increase over the next five years, with over half (53%) anticipating a significant increase.
 

Growth brings new decisions

Increasing wealth often creates new layers of complexity. As families expand internationally, diversify investments and plan across generations, the structures that once worked well may need to evolve.

That is reflected in our research, where more than half of respondents (51%) believe the Cayman Islands will see the greatest increase in demand from family offices for wealth planning over the next three years. Jersey and Singapore follow closely at 42%, ahead of Luxembourg (29%) and Switzerland (25%).
 

Jurisdictions expected to see the strongest growth in family office wealth planning

1. Cayman Islands (51%)
2. Jersey (42%)
3. Singapore (42%)
4. Luxembourg (29%)
5. Switzerland (25%)
6. UAE (23%)
7. Guernsey (20%)
8. Hong Kong (18%)
9. United States (16%)
10. British Virgin Islands (11%)
 

What drives jurisdiction choice?

The findings suggest that jurisdiction selection is no longer driven solely by technical considerations, but that practical ones matter just as much.

Respondents identified a transparent tax regime as the most important factor when selecting a jurisdiction. Ease of communication also ranked highly, with the ability to operate comfortably in the local language seen as a key consideration.

Families are also looking for jurisdictions that fit naturally into how they live and work. Ease of doing business, convenient travel connections and compatible time zones all featured prominently in decision-making.
 

What does this mean for families?

As family wealth grows, many families are reassessing how and where their assets are structured. Ocorian’s research suggests that families are increasingly considering a wider range of jurisdictions when planning for the future. In doing so, they are looking beyond technical considerations and placing greater emphasis on practical factors such as accessibility, communication and ease of doing business. For families evaluating their options, the challenge is finding a jurisdiction that aligns with their specific circumstances and long-term objectives.

To explore the findings in full, including the trends, data and priorities shaping family office location strategies worldwide, download Ocorian's latest report here.

In February 2026, Ocorian commissioned independent research company PureProfile to survey 200 family office participants, including family members and full-time family office employees. Respondents represented a total family wealth of US$119.37 billion and were based across the UK, Switzerland, Mauritius, South Africa, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the U.S., Jersey, Guernsey, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.