Family offices increasingly hand final decision to investment committees

• Just 6% of family offices say it’s still the founding member who is the ultimate decision maker when it comes to major investments or structuring

• Global study shows 65% of family offices now have an investment committee with independent members

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 family offices are becoming increasingly professionalised in governance, structuring and investment portfolio management.

The study among family members and senior family office employees responsible for total wealth of $119.37 billion found that almost half (47%) say it’s now an investment committee, which is the ultimate decision maker when it comes to major investments or structuring. Just 6% say it’s still the founding family member.

Nearly two-fifths (39%) say the ultimate decision maker is a member of the next generation, while 6% say it’s external advisers and 3% say it’s a family council or board.

All of the family offices surveyed agree that their set-up has become more professional over the past year and they have made a number of changes to achieve this.

More than half (54%) are developing a more diverse and professionally managed investment portfolio, while 51% have secured the support of more third-party professionals. Just under half (46%) say they have strengthened their compliance, tax and legal infrastructure and the same number have developed a stronger succession plan.

Other moves to professionalisation include developing a more cohesive and robust philanthropy programme (42%) and strengthening the management team that runs the family office (41%).

All respondents say they have a formal governance structure of some sort. Over two-thirds (65%) of family offices surveyed have an investment committee with independent members, and 60% have a next-generation advisory board. Over half (56%) have a formal risk committee and a similar number (54%) say they have external independent trustees or a board. Around a third (35%) have a family council and just under a fifth (18%) have a family constitution or charter.

However, family offices are still facing a number of challenges, particularly when it comes to regulation. Only 8% of those surveyed say that they are very well advised and well equipped to meet the current global regulatory demands they face. Around three-quarters (74%) say they are in quite a strong position to meet these, and 18% say their ability to meet these current regulatory challenges is average.

Dion Yee, Commercial Director at Ocorian, said: “Family office operations and management is becoming increasingly professionalised, and many have already made significant changes to their governance structure and the way in which investment decisions are made. Many are looking to the future and to succession, and investment committees are taking the place of founders when it comes to decision-making, instead of this automatically defaulting to the next generation. However, there is still work to do, particularly with global regulatory demands constantly changing and increasing in complexity. Many are still looking for professional advice to navigate regulatory issues.”

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 February 2026, Ocorian commissioned independent research company PureProfile to interview 200 people in the family office sector, including family members and full-time employees of family offices. The total value of wealth managed or owned by the families was $119.37 billion and respondents were based in the UK, Switzerland, Mauritius, South Africa, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the U.S., Jersey, Guernsey, Bermuda and Cayman.

About Ocorian

Ocorian is a global leader in fund services, corporate and trust services, capital markets, and regulatory and compliance support.

Unlocking new value for its clients across jurisdictions and service lines is Ocorian’s priority; it manages over 20,000 structures on behalf of 9,000+ clients including financial institutions, large-scale international organisations, and high-net-worth individuals.

Ocorian provides fully compliant, tailored solutions that are individual to clients’ needs, no matter where in the world they hold financial interests, or however they are structured.

The group offers a full suite of corporate, fund and private client services across a network of offices spanning all the world’s financial hubs. Locations include Bermuda, BVI, Cayman, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, UAE, the UK, and the U.S. 

To find out more about Ocorian and its services, including regulatory information, visit www.ocorian.com