Family Office Summit Dubai agenda

Why governance works better when Sunday lunch doesn’t double as an investment committee.

A practical discussion on why separating operating businesses from family wealth has become a priority for modern families. The panel explores governance structures, holding companies, trusts, investment committees, and how families reduce emotional overlap while preserving alignment.

From blind pools to selective exposure—and fewer surprises.

An examination of how family offices are changing the way they deploy capital into private markets. Topics include co-investments, secondaries, evergreen funds, club deals, direct lending, and why control, transparency, and liquidity options now matter more than ever.

A sharp, self-aware discussion on how the next generation approaches wealth—embracing technology, sustainability, venture, and global thinking, while still respecting the fundamentals that built the family balance sheet in the first place.

A strategic look at Asia’s renewed role as a global gateway for capital, talent, and structure. The panel explores Hong Kong’s positioning, regional diversification, regulatory evolution, and how family offices are re‑engaging with Asia after a period of hesitation.

Risk is back—this time with better homework.

What’s driving renewed appetite for venture capital? A look at valuation resets, sector focus, manager selection, indexing and why many families are once again allocating to innovation—carefully, selectively, and with longer-term conviction, looking beyond traditional markets like US, Europe.

Or: what global politics might do next and how to stay solvent when it does.

A grounded discussion on portfolio construction across listed markets, bonds, and hedge funds—covering volatility, interest rates, geopolitics, and how family offices balance conviction with capital preservation.

An honest exploration of where humans still add value—and where machines are already doing it better. Covering AI in investment decision‑making, operations, due diligence, and whether judgment, intuition, and experience still earn their seat at the table.

Moderator: Obediah Ayton, Chairman, Family Office Summit

A clear‑eyed discussion on cryptocurrencies, tokenised assets, custody, regulation, and infrastructure. Separating long‑term allocation candidates from speculative noise—and explaining what actually belongs in a diversified family portfolio.

A debate on whether property continues to dominate family allocations, or whether diversification is finally gaining ground. Covering yield, risk concentration, global exposure, and the evolving role of real estate in multi‑asset portfolios.

Buying what we love, convincing the investment committee later.

A candid look at passion assets—how families acquire, value, insure, govern, and eventually exit art, classic cars, watches, and collectables, while balancing enjoyment with disciplined stewardship.

The open‑mic session Dubai deserves. No slides, no spin—just honest perspectives on why global families are relocating, structuring, and deploying capital in the region.

How families are re‑entering equities, fixed income, bonds and hedge funds, what’s driving renewed appetite, and how portfolios are being positioned for 2026 and beyond.

Acquisition strategy, valuation, risk, governance, and the growing intersection of passion assets and investment discipline.

Direct vs fund exposure, sector focus, pacing, portfolio construction, and managing risk across early‑ and growth‑stage investing.

Yield, diversification, concentration risk, and global real estate opportunities for Middle Eastern families.

A practical look at how AI is being used across investment processes, treasury, operations, and governance—separating hype from real impact.

A no‑jargon introduction to what family offices actually do, how decisions get made, common structures, and the questions everyone wishes they’d asked sooner.

PE, secondaries, co‑investments, and direct deals—where dealflow is shifting and which opportunities make sense in 2026.

Opportunities, risks, regulation, geopolitics, and long‑term capital allocation across Asia’s evolving markets.

Routes to dealflow, local partnerships, sector opportunities, regulatory considerations, and execution risk in one of the world’s fastest‑growing economies.

MBAs, executive education, and returning to school—how family office professionals use education to reposition careers, increase leverage, and justify higher compensation.