Family offices go global as number of offices increase

• Global study finds 60% have opened more offices in different jurisdictions over the past five years
• Office expansion is mainly due to family members moving around the world, but investment diversification and geopolitical risks are factors

Family offices are expanding the number of offices they have around the world as family members are increasingly moving to new countries, new global research* from Ocorian, the specialist global provider of services for asset managers and owners, including private client, fund administration, capital markets, corporate, and regulatory solutions, shows.

But increasing diversification and sophistication of investment portfolios is also driving the need to open more offices, as well as plans to reduce geopolitical risks such as changes in governments or the outbreak of war.

Ocorian’s study among family members, senior family office employees and intermediaries working for family offices with total wealth of $68.26 billion found 60% say their family office has opened more offices in different jurisdictions over the past five years.

Around 40% questioned said their family office has four or more physical offices while 55% of those questioned have three, and one in 20 (5%) have two offices. None of those questioned have just one office.

The study in 13 countries or territories, including the UK, UAE, Singapore, Switzerland, Hong Kong, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius and Bahrain, found 83% say the reason for opening more offices is because family members are increasingly moving abroad and living in different countries.

Around three out of four (75%) say they are opening more offices because their investments have diversified and become more sophisticated while 32% say its due to tax and regulatory issues.

Nearly a third (30%) say reducing geopolitical risks to the family is the driving factor for opening more offices while 15% say it’s because they cannot attract enough skilled people in their existing headquarters.

Nina Auchoybur, Managing Director at Ocorian said: “The continued expansion and sophistication of the family office sector is increasingly reflected in the establishment of multiple offices across jurisdictions. This growth is driven by the physical relocation of families, often in response to evolving family dynamics, and supported by regulators who are actively facilitating cross-border movement and the creation of second or extended offices. These offices are essential to ensure tailored wealth solutions that support complex, global family needs.

“Key factors influencing this expansion include the pursuit of tax efficiency, diversification and segregation of risk, access to emerging asset classes such as digital assets, and the need for multijurisdictional structuring. As more jurisdictions position themselves as global wealth hubs, families must navigate increasingly intricate cross-border investment landscapes and develop bespoke investment strategies that reflect their unique goals and circumstances.”

Ocorian’s award-winning dedicated family office team provides a seamless and holistic approach to the challenges and opportunities families face. Its service is built on long-term personal relationships that are founded on a deep understanding of what matters to family office clients. Its global presence means Ocorian can provide bespoke structures and services for international families no matter where they live.

Key services include formation and administration of family offices, HR support services, support with lifestyle and luxury assets, family governance, resident and relocation services and specialist support with immigration, visas, payroll, marine and aircraft crew management and financial reporting.

* In June 2025 Ocorian commissioned independent research company PureProfile to interview 200 people in the family office sector including family members, full-time employees of family offices and specialist intermediaries such as lawyers, wealth managers, private bankers and tax advisers working for family offices of UHNW family businesses. The total value of wealth managed or owned by the families was $68.26 billion and respondents were based in the UK, UAE, Singapore, Switzerland, Hong Kong, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius, Bahrain, Bermuda, Cayman, British Virgin Islands and Jersey.