It is only in the last two decades that we have formed a family office service – a designation that, in the UHNW sector, is often used loosely. For us, it is a title earned through action: by being a proactive, trusted partner offering highly personalised services that meet the complex demands of significant wealth with discretion, care, and expertise.
Your family and their future – read our insights and guidance for wealth families
What has set us apart is our ability to create something truly bespoke for each family we work with. Whether wealth has been newly acquired or carefully stewarded across generations, we are privileged to support our clients in navigating their unique journeys.
Our reputation has been built over time, not only through our direct relationships with families, but also by supporting the professionals who manage external family offices – whether for a single household or across multiple families. We work closely with their financial directors and Chief Investment Officers, providing banking, lending, and investment services tailored to their needs. Any family that comes to us receives this same level of care and commitment.
Growing together
The benefits of scale via an institutional family office service are particularly prevalent when families come to us seeking to grow their wealth through investing.
Rather than navigating fragmented platforms and layered fees, our clients benefit from a consolidated investment infrastructure, backed by over £50 billion [i] in assets under management and administration. Our clients don’t need to hire their own investment professionals or pursue their own routes to markets. With a dedicated investment team monitoring global markets, families gain access to opportunities and protection aligned with the mandates of other like-minded investors.
As investors, we’re able to offer families a spectrum of potential growth options, ranging from portfolios specifically tailored to their goals, risk appetite and asset preference, to pre-existing funds run solely through the discretion of our asset managers. We’re also able to provide an ‘execution only’ service, giving clients the ability to trade in their chosen markets directly. Further to this, where clients and their professional advisers have the relevant experience, we’re able to sanction investment in more complex assets.
Why history matters
Working with some of the UK’s wealthiest families for 300 years has kept us on a constant learning curve. Being a proactive partner means we’re always looking to perceive the stresses and pinch points that could impact a family today or in the future. That approach has to be part of an anti-complacency culture and present in every consideration. Ensuring clarity and calm for clients means reaching out, listening to needs and forming a plan that has everyone’s best interests at its heart.
There are numerous doors we open for clients – from art collecting, to private equity investments, to philanthropy and more. Our aim is to bring our deep knowledge to families in a welcoming environment, so that whatever their level of experience, they can take full advantage of the insight we have to offer.
We also foster mutual confidence through education. Whatever a client’s background or route to wealth, we are here to listen and guide, through life’s expected milestones and unforeseen moments alike. This exchange of insight informs our own experience, and where appropriate, we share group learnings and create forums for clients and colleagues to engage on key issues. We also bring in external thought leaders to share new perspectives and ideas. This might be inspiration from an Olympic gold medal winner or more tangible advice on the best anti-fraud measures from senior law enforcement officials.
Further to this, we seek to build a community as a safe space for our families to share their values and visions, offering opportunities to connect, collaborate and learn from one another. These gatherings are more than social occasions; they are a chance to build relationships, share insights and shape the future together.
Finally, on more practical considerations, the fact that all our family office services are fully regulated precludes clients from getting into unwanted legal positions or falling foul of the technical movements of regulatory boundaries around the world.
Articulating ambition
Wealth should enhance life, not complicate it. To realise this, a family office service should provide a lifestyle that is both comprehensive and personal. Our service does this through bespoke lending solutions, savings plans, philanthropic advice and wealth education for clients’ children. Through the Coutts Institute, we help families articulate the purpose of their wealth, create family charters, and explore the impact they wish to have on the world.
We strive to be more than a finance team. Personalised service is paramount, but so too is the breadth and depth of that service. From our 24/7 helpdesk to global support including FX services and comprehensive travel insurance, we are here for every moment.
However, I’d argue the real difference is made in knowing you, your ambitions and aspirations, your concerns and your passions – and knowing how we can be there for you in all the moments they bring. Ultimately, at the heart of everything we do is the belief that your time is your most precious asset. The Coutts Family Office exists to give you more of it. We take care of the details, the decisions, the day-to-day, so you can focus on what matters most.
Whether you are building a legacy, raising a family, or simply enjoying the life you’ve worked so hard to create, we are here to make it easier. To ensure that when the time comes to pass the baton, your story continues – stronger, clearer, and more enduring than ever.
This article is taken from Your family and their future, our guidance for wealthy families marking 20 years of Coutts family office services.
To find out more about how we could help your family plan their wealth across generations, please speak to your Private Banker.
When it comes to investments please be aware advice and product fees may apply. Eligibility criteria apply. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise, and you may not recover the amount of your original investment. You should continue to hold cash for your short-term goals.
