The Family Enterprise Governance Report—a collaboration between UBS Family Office Solutions and Agreus—sheds light on governance practices that are most effective in driving outcomes across the family enterprise--the family, trustees, family office, investment program, business, philanthropy and family bank. While these practices are critical, it is ultimately human capital that makes all the difference. 

This unique study finds that It’s not one practice alone that drives improvement. Rather, it’s a comprehensive, consistent, and evolving total approach—applied over time—that moves the needle. Effective governance is rooted in a family’s total commitment to doing the work, together. To keep improving, knowing they must keep evolving. 

About the survey

  • 106

    participants globally*

  • $ 2.4 billion

    Average family net worth

  • 63 %

    Reported owning an operating company as source of the family wealth

* Please note that while the sample sizes for some of the data points are small, they are still meaningful.

Insights

This study helps identify the practices that lead toward effectiveness in communication, joint decision-making and oversight of family decision makers. Top among them include:
  • 2 x

    more effective communication among families who incorporate a family constitution

  • 4 x

    more next gen preparedness when families engage in succession planning

  • 2 x

    more effective communication among families who hold regular, non-financial meetings

  • 2.8 x

    more effective investment committees that have an investment policy in place

  • 2.5 x

    more effective boards that engage third-party family business governance consultants

  • 59 %

    of families that have a family bank indicated that it was effective at encouraging entrepreneurship

A clarion call for family offices

The family office is uniquely positioned at the intersection of the family’s key activities and relationships.

As such, it must take ownership of the family’s governance journey, serving as a strategic partner in shaping and sustaining governance practices.

Dive deeper

Download the full report for insights into effective family governance practices that can move the needle. Speak with a UBS Financial Advisor about our family office services and all that is available to you as a UBS Private Wealth Management client.

Cover of Agreus UBS Family Enterprise Governance Report on white