The Rising Role of Women in Family Offices and Family Businesses
I am very excited to share the launch of a new book that I have been fortunate to contribute a chapter to: The Rising Role of Women in Family Offices and Family Businesses.
Together with my co-author, Kate Bright, CEO of UMBRA International, we’ve shared our expertise on how security and reputation is evolving for the modern family office.
This book showcases trailblazing women who are at the forefront of the sector with razor-sharp insights, thought-provoking ideas and actionable frameworks that are having, and will continue to have, a seismic impact on the family office ecosystem.
You can learn more and purchase a copy here.
The Rising Role of Women
As the Financial Times reported, women now hold around a third of global private wealth — a figure set to rise dramatically in the coming years. In the UK alone, women are expected to control 60% of private wealth by 2025. By all accounts, we are witnessing a powerful shift in how wealth and legacy are managed and preserved.
As women step into leadership roles across the family office ecosystem, they are transforming not only their own enterprises, but also setting new standards for what inclusive and effective leadership looks like. The very nature of how these organisations operate — and how success is defined — is being re-evaluated. Increasingly, the focus is expanding beyond financial performance to include the strategic importance of aligning all actions with the family’s purpose and values
In my chapter for The Rising Role of Women in Family Offices and Family Businesses, I explore this pivotal transition and outline how the modern family office can proactively navigate these changes through harnessing brand as a strategic asset: a way to articulate identity, signal intent, and build trust across generations and stakeholders.
A short excerpt from my chapter is shared below, highlighting the opportunities and outcomes that arise when family offices take an intentional, values-led approach to brand:
Crafting a values-driven family office brand should produce five clear outcomes:
+ Generational alignment: In the brand creation process, the goal is to co-create a purposeful wealth story and vision that all family members are excited by and invested in. When families align around a shared purpose, they can proactively manage legacy and successfully transition values across generations.
+ Competitive advantage: Once created, a strong family office brand allows that vision to transcend the family. This is critical for acquiring and retaining top talent, building strategic partnerships, and attracting the highest calibre investment opportunities. As the number of family offices grows, brand becomes a powerful competitive differentiator.
+ Reputation and profile: A clear wealth story and future vision enables families to proactively manage their public profile and control their narrative. This doesn’t require external promotion — but a defined brand acts as a ‘brand bodyguard’, enhancing resilience and reputational protection in times of crisis.
+ Strategic clarity: A clearly defined brand purpose acts as a North Star for all endeavours. From impact investing to philanthropy to governance, brand helps sharpen focus and priorities, while also building external trust and credibility.
+ Operational efficiencies: A brand codifies the family office’s vision, purpose, and desired impact. This creates a cohesive decision-making framework for both family members and employees. When everyone is aligned, silos shrink, effectiveness grows, and a harmonious internal culture thrives.