Private Office

New year, new resolution? How our private office services will be helping clients to get ahead in 2024

As 2024 begins, continuing conflict in Europe and the Middle East, trade tensions, slowing economic growth and the prospect of a downward correction in interest rates are all key concerns for investors. For those managing family wealth, greater regulation and adjusting to the differing investment needs of younger generations add further pressure. As a result, wealthy individuals and families increasingly require holistic and real-time reporting, diligent oversight and accurate, constantly updated records.

These demands are not only making the work of existing private offices more complex, but they are also making some clients consider, for the first time, setting up a private office or joining a multi-family office. However, doing so can require a significant investment of time and money, when a simpler and more effective option is available.

Accuro offers discrete, bespoke professional services specifically for private clients. These are designed to help those who wish to either outsource their private office requirements or build on the capabilities of their own single-family office. In either of these two cases our aim is to act as a seamless extension to our clients’ own team. Rather than replacing any existing advisors or arrangements, our private office services support, strengthen and deepen existing capabilities.

In short, clients receive all the specialist and personal attention they need, but without the cost and complexity of setting up or expanding their own private office.

Services that support and strengthen

Examples of Accuro’s services range from helping with setting up bank accounts, with all the KYC coordination that it requires, to the computation of personal expenses and assistance with the implementation of property transactions. Typical services include:

Consolidated reports for different asset classes;
Private accounting, liquidity and budget planning;
Expense reporting, receiving and paying invoices;
Opening and closing of bank accounts and maintain relationships with banks;
Coordinating the salary payments of private staff;
Safekeeping of legal documentation;
Compliance coordination with financial institutions; and
Assistance with the implementation of personal transactions (such as purchase of property or other assets)

We also provide clients with access to specialist legal, financial, or other advice. For example, for a client having to navigate complex cross-jurisdictional tax issues, or a family wishing to purchase foreign real estate, even the best resourced private office may not have the niche expertise required. Here, Accuro’s network of trusted advisors can be called on.

Independent, specialist and sustainable

While providing individual, high-quality services to our clients is vital, it’s clear that joined-up, long-term thinking is also paramount to the success of any family and therefore the cornerstone of the private office. The so-called 3Ps are paramount here: preservation of family wealth, preservation of family harmony, and preservation of family legacy and values. Key to these is creating a dialogue that engages all within the family. For example, while older generations may be satisfied with a quarterly report on financial performance, younger generations may find that it is the social or environmental impact of investments that will engage them and make them more likely to play an active part.

As entrepreneurs and business owners ourselves, we promote responsible enterprise and growth that benefits current and future generations. It is our holistic view of our clients’ wealth and evolving needs, combined with our sense of responsibility to people, the planet and our industry, that makes Accuro an attractive choice for families globally.

An added advantage is that, because we are not asset managers, our clients can avoid any potential conflict of interests that may arise from having investment professionals also overseeing the administration of their wealth. Our independence, objectivity and private wealth expertise enables us to fulfil this key role.

New year, new resolution

With the latest research by investment firm UBS expecting global wealth to rise by 38% over the next five years and geopolitical risk predicted to replace recessionary fears as the number one challenge for family offices, the pressures mentioned earlier show no signs of abating. So, make 2024 the year to strengthen your private office capabilities by relying on a trusted partner who can help you make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead.

For more information about our bespoke private office services, please contact [email protected].

Industry Challenges

A potential collision course

Renaissance thinking amongst vanguard families who plan for both their legacy and their wealth is inspirational for the professionals who engage with them. But this new approach also comes with challenges.

In this two minute video, the third and final in a trilogy, Mustafa Hussain considers a number of challenges including how we balance the potential collision course between the need to preserve capital and the sacrifice of income in favour of social returns.

Legacy Evolution

The new living legacy blueprint

It is unusual but refreshing to see governance documents that use words such as “love, respect, humility and fun” as measures of progress and success.

In this two minute video, the second in a trilogy, Mustafa Hussain explains how the traditional view of family legacy is evolving, with vanguard families providing a blueprint for new living legacies that demonstrate a shift away from status, towards growth, change and values with emotions.

Private office: preserving your family’s legacy and embracing sustainability for generations to come

Families are remarkably diverse in terms of history, vision, culture, size, interests, mission and values. The landscape for wealth-owning families is also rapidly evolving and becoming more complex and volatile. Mega-trends like climate change, globalisation, and increased wealth inequality have brought adverse economic, social and geopolitical consequences. This challenging context is front of mind of many wealthy family members who are looking to sustain and grow family wealth in a responsible manner across generations.

Different by Design

Accuro’s purpose is to care for families and their wealth responsibly across generations. Our Private Office offering has been designed to assist families in achieving their financial and non-financial objectives based on their collective vision for the future. Whether you wish to outsource your Private Office requirements (saving time and costs) or to build on the existing capabilities of your family office, our team of 150 specialists is available to help you do so. Acting as a seamless extension of your family and advisory team, Accuro Private Office works collaboratively with your vision in mind.

A trusted extension of your team

Our knowledge and expertise enables us to assist families in navigating through the complex issues of today, including geopolitical risks, legal, tax and regulatory risks, technology-driven change, financial and succession planning.

By engaging our Private Office, individuals and their families can outsource the administration of their personal assets in the knowledge they are being cared for, in line with their family’s values, freeing up their time and providing peace of mind.

Built on the unique needs of each family

We administer a wide range of assets and offer simple or more bespoke solutions depending on your unique requirements, providing you with a single dedicated point of contact who will ensure and oversee seamless delivery.

We are well versed in collaborating with clients’ existing advisors to provide coordination where needed to ensure roles do not overlap unnecessarily.

Our services include:

Asset and wealth owning structures’ review
Wealth structures for long-term wealth preservation and needs of global families
Wealth administration, reporting and consolidation across financial and non-financial assets
Family governance
Compliance
Next generation education
Cross-border planning, reporting and information exchange
Estate planning
Document safe storage
Charitable giving and structuring

Why Accuro?

Experience built on nearly 50 years’ experience of servicing high net worth international families.
Being owner and staff managed allows independent thinking and objectivity which enables us to take a long-term approach to wealth planning strategy and support clients according to their needs on a bespoke basis.
Access to Accuro’s carefully selected network of wealth advisors based on established and trusted relationships.
We address fundamental questions and achieve clarity for family priorities, defining and executing a clear strategy to preserve wealth across generations. We ensure personal vision and financial objectives are met.
We understand the sensitivities and cultural differences of each family. We are thoughtful in our approach and transparent, when quite often there may be diverse interests which can lead to overwhelming complexity and differences.
We are trusted by our clients to be progressive in our thinking and have extensive experience of working alongside families to balance their desire to preserve wealth alongside the sustainable ambitions of the younger generation.

Family Investment Companies: Europe

Family Investment Companies: Middle East

Family Wealth: Key Terms

Family Constitutions

Accuro London expanding its offering to regulated Trust and Fiduciary services

Accuro is continuing to grow and define itself as an innovator in the private trust sector by expanding its London offering to regulated trust and fiduciary services and bringing on board a Chief People Officer for the Group.

Mustafa Hussain has been appointed as Managing Director of the Accuro London office, having joined Accuro in January 2019 from Taylor Wessing LLP, where he was a partner specialising in private wealth. Mustafa will also continue to bring his strategic insights and legal expertise to corporate governance, and will continue to co-chair the Accuro Group Board.

The appointment of Rebecca Hone, as a Chief People Office, underlines the growth agenda and the importance of people. Rebecca Hone has joined Accuro, in London, from Bupa where she delivered HR and people strategy within the insurance business, and led on a number of change and transformation projects. She brings extensive HR and management consultancy experience in financial services. Rebecca will also be joining the holding board to bring an additional perspective to strategic prioritisation, execution and decision-making for the group.

CEO and Co-Founder, Xavier Isaac commented, “Our people are our greatest asset, so the time is right to invest in a Chief People Officer to further integrate our people strategy with the business strategy. Rebecca brings a strong track record of strategy development and execution. Investing in Accuro’s London offering is a natural evolution of our organic growth strategy, and enables us to better serve our clients in this key location. I am delighted to confirm that this will be delivered under Mustafa’s leadership. This is a very exciting time for Accuro.”

Rebecca Hone

Mustafa Hussain

Accuro’s forward-thinking business practices recognised by STEP Award

Accuro is proud to announce its fourth win of the prestigious Trust Company of the Year (midsize firm) category at the STEP Private Client Awards 2021/22. Accuro has been shortlisted for the award every year since its inception in 2017, taking home the prize four out of the last five years.

Hosted by STEP, the global professional association that promotes excellence for private client professionals, this year’s virtual award ceremony took place on the 23rd September 2021.

STEP subjects all nominees to a rigorous judging process that considers their performance, values and contributions. Its awards are highly-coveted and are the top private client industry accolade.

Accuro stands out in this industry as an independent, fully management-and-staff-owned business, leading the way as a positive force for families, society and the environment, committed to developing long-term relationships and long-term change.

Since its management buy-out in 2017, Accuro has demonstrated its willingness to challenge the status quo and set a new standard in the industry. Attracting clients from across the globe and leading professionals to join its ranks, the business has grown organically into one which now operates from offices in Jersey, Geneva, Mauritius, and London. In 2021 Accuro has welcomed more new employees than ever before.

With a strong tradition of thought-leadership in the industry, a diverse client base, and a company structure that values and recognises the contributions of all staff members as integral to its overall success, Accuro truly lives up to its name: a trust company that cares.

The judges were impressed by Accuro’s focus on ‘values and client service’. In particular, they praised the support it provides its employees, its ownership model, its healthy annual growth figures and its commitment to its values. This includes legally binding changes to its articles of association committing to having a positive impact on society and the environment.

Accuro’s CEO, Xavier Isaac, commented: « The words of the Presiding judges are particularly pleasing because they recognise the relentless efforts of our staff in their pursuit of excellence in client services, while praising at the same time Accuro for applying more sustainable and forward-thinking business practices.”

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