The Single Family Investment Office Today

The report analyzes the operational models of approximately 3,000 single family offices (SFOs) worldwide, which collectively manage over $2 trillion in assets. It identifies a shift toward more complex service offerings as families grow, highlighting the tension between professional investment management and family-driven decision-making. Key findings emphasize the importance of aligning staff incentives with family values, the prevalence of direct private equity investments, and the increasing integration of philanthropy and impact investing as cohesive family forces.

• Single family offices (SFOs) are a significant global investor group, with approximately 3,000 offices worldwide controlling more than $2 trillion in assets.
• Wealth management is the primary objective for the vast majority of SFOs, though needs evolve to include legal, concierge, and philanthropic services as family complexity increases.
• Investment models vary, with 63% of SFOs using more than one approach. The most popular model among surveyed offices is direct private equity and real estate.
• There is a high concentration of wealth in operating businesses, with over 40% of families holding more than half of their net worth in such businesses; however, only 39% of this group uses their SFO to diversify away from those risks.
• SFO staffing generally follows one of three models: Core (1-5 employees, often joint CEO/CIO), Established (6-10 employees, more specialized), or Institutional (10+ employees, resembling a hedge fund with a dedicated CIO).
• Recruitment for SFOs prioritizes trust and value alignment over technical skill, particularly in the 'Core' model, though professional background becomes more critical in 'Institutional' models.
• Families express significant concern regarding the 'Next Generation', specifically regarding a lack of personal achievement and a lack of preparedness to inherit wealth.
• Philanthropy and impact investing are highly prevalent, with 94% participation across these categories, often serving as a cohesive force for family members.
• Impact investing is pursued through various levers including ESG integration, shareholder activism, and positive/negative screening, with evidence suggesting that socially conscious investing does not necessarily lower returns.
• Programme-related investments (PRIs) are used primarily by US-based foundations as a hybrid of grants and impact investing, providing low-interest loans or equity to address social challenges.

APA

World Economic Forum (2016). The Single Family Investment Office Today. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Single_Family_Business_Office_2016.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. The Single Family Investment Office Today. 2016. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Single_Family_Business_Office_2016.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=The Single Family Investment Office Today |date=August 2016 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Single_Family_Business_Office_2016.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2016single, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{The Single Family Investment Office Today}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2016}, month = aug, url = {http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Single_Family_Business_Office_2016.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }