February Roundup

Family Office News Roundup – February 2025

The family office sector is undergoing significant transformation, driven by technology adoption, investment diversification, and leadership shifts. This month, we examine key acquisitions, strategic investment moves, and governance trends shaping the future of ultra-high-net-worth wealth management.

Key Topics and Insights

1. Strategic Acquisitions & Expansion

• Aquiline to Acquire SEI’s Family Office Services Unit: Aquiline Capital Partners is set to acquire SEI’s family office services unit, with the transaction expected to close in late Q2 2025. This move highlights the consolidation trend in the family office services sector (PE Hub).
• Exor Sells 4% Stake in Ferrari: The Agnelli family office, Exor, plans to sell a 4% stake in Ferrari to raise €3 billion for a new acquisition and a share buyback, reflecting strategic divestment and reinvestment strategies (Financial Times).

What this means: Family offices are increasingly leveraging their capital for strategic acquisitions and divestments, focusing on long-term value creation and portfolio diversification. This trend underscores their growing influence in global finance and their ability to adapt to changing market conditions.

2. Investment Trends & Market Strategies

• Family Offices Return to Chinese Stocks: Driven by lower valuations and AI-driven growth, family offices are returning to Chinese stocks, shifting focus from the over-inflated US tech market (PWM).
• Timonier Family Office Invests in Duke Energy: Timonier Family Office LTD. purchased a new position in Duke Energy Co., indicating a continued interest in stable, utility-based investments (MarketBeat).

What this means: Family offices are embracing geopolitical shifts and market opportunities, with a growing focus on emerging markets and stable investments. This trend reflects a strategic approach to balancing risk and reward in a volatile global economy.

3. The Rise of Wealth-Tech & Digital Transformation

• Digitalisation Key to Wealth Preservation: The market for family office technology is expanding, with digital transformation becoming essential for wealth preservation (PWM).
• Prismatic Rebrands as Asseta, Focuses on AI: Prismatic, now rebranded as Asseta, is focusing on AI-driven solutions for family offices, highlighting the growing importance of technology in financial management (Business Wire).

What this means: Digital transformation is no longer optional—technology-driven decision-making and cybersecurity measures are becoming standards in modern family offices. Wealth-tech firms and cybersecurity providers will likely play a larger role in shaping future governance structures.

4. Regulatory Changes & Compliance

• MAS Tightens Family Office Supervision: Singapore’s Monetary Authority is implementing stricter AML controls and other measures to ensure family offices comply with regulatory standards (finews.asia).
• Singapore’s 10-Fold Rise in Family Offices Drives Philanthropy: The rapid growth of family offices in Singapore is accompanied by increased regulatory scrutiny, particularly in the area of charitable giving (CNBC).

What this means: As regulatory environments become more stringent, family offices must prioritize compliance and transparency. This trend underscores the importance of robust governance structures and the need for family offices to stay abreast of regulatory developments.

5. Philanthropy & Social Impact

• Callan Family Office Partners with Foundation Source: Callan Family Office is expanding access to sophisticated philanthropic solutions, highlighting the growing interest in social impact initiatives (PRNewswire).
• Singapore’s Family Offices Drive Philanthropic Boom: Many family offices in Singapore are channeling their overseas charitable efforts through the city-state, reflecting a commitment to social responsibility (CNBC).

What this means: Philanthropy and social impact investing are becoming integral components of family office strategies. As family offices seek to align their investments with their values, we can expect to see a continued focus on initiatives that deliver both financial returns and positive social outcomes.

In Closing

February’s developments highlight the continued growth of wealth-tech, investment shifts towards private markets, and institutional-level governance structures in family offices. With major financial institutions doubling down on family office services, competition for ultra-high-net-worth clients is intensifying. The coming months will likely see further digital innovation, alternative asset expansion, and leadership transitions shaping the family office landscape.