Family offices taking on more risk as investment in alternatives increases

• New global study shows 75% of family offices expect to take on more investment risk in the next 12 months, with increased transparency around alternatives the key driver

• Private equity will see the biggest increase in allocations, but all alternative asset classes will benefit

Family offices are planning to take on more risk over the next 12 months as allocations to alternative asset classes increase, new research* from Ocorian, the specialist global provider of services to high-net-worth individuals and family offices, financial institutions, asset managers and corporates, shows.

The global study among family members and senior executives working for family offices with a total wealth of $119.37 billion found 75% say their investment risk appetite will increase, including 13% predicting dramatic increases.

The study in 16 countries or territories, including the UK, U.S., UAE, Singapore, Switzerland, Hong Kong, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius and Bahrain, found that greater transparency around riskier asset classes is the main reason.

Around 61% selected increased transparency as the key driver for increased risk appetite, with nearly half (48%) pointing to falling interest rates and the outperformance of AI and tech stocks as reasons to boost risk appetite. Around 46% say geopolitical instability means risk attitudes have to change.

ESG principles remain important in investment priorities – almost all (99%) say they are a key consideration – while 79% say the focus on ESG principles will increase over the next three years.

All the family offices questioned expect to increase allocations to private equity over the next two years, with two-thirds (66%) planning to boost allocations by between 25% and 50% over the period. Around 96% plan to increase allocations to private capital, with 93% doing so for private debt. That drops slightly to 88% for infrastructure and 86% for real estate.

Andy Bailey, Head of Private Client Guernsey & Isle of Man at Ocorian, said: “Family offices are increasingly willing to take on more risk and their growing interest in alternative assets is a major reason for that – with plans to increase allocations to major alternative asset classes in general.

It is, however, striking that nearly half believe that rising geopolitical instability is leaving family offices with little choice but to increase their risk appetite, as our research shows.”

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, 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. Ocorian has more than 30 years of experience in fund administration, accounting, investor services and regulated AIFM and depositary solutions and supports managers across all major asset classes of private markets such as private equity, real estate, infrastructure, debt and venture capital. Ocorian manages over 17,000 structures on behalf of 8,000+ clients, including financial institutions, large-scale international organisations, and high-net-worth individuals. To find out more, please visit www.ocorian.com.