Family offices focus on better-organized wealth

Every year, UBS publishes the Global Family Office Report. The latest edition was recently released and you can request a copy here. For the report, UBS surveyed the key trends among more than 300 family offices worldwide. Bastiaan van Slobbe, co-founder and managing partner of Marktlink Capital, took a closer look at the results

“What strikes me is that no specific asset class or dominant trend stands out,” says Van Slobbe. Whereas attention in recent years has often focused on a particular theme, that is now lacking. “There is no clear preference for, say, AI, gold, private equity, or the U.S. dollar.”

The world is currently in a period of uncertainty. In 2025, much of the turmoil revolved around the import tariffs the United States imposed worldwide. In 2026, attention will shift primarily to tensions in the Middle East. These developments also influence the way families view their wealth.

Van Slobbe: “About 60% of the more than 300 families who participated in the study expect to adjust their strategic asset allocation in 2026. I think that’s a lot.”

Issues facing families?

According to Van Slobbe, the survey highlights a number of clear questions:

• How do we protect our wealth in a turbulent world?
• Where can we find structural growth outside the public markets?
• How do we prevent excessive concentration in regions, currencies, or themes?
• How do we build a governance structure that will last for multiple generations?

"We recognize these questions at Marktlink Capital as well. The families we work with are navigating the same dynamics. Wealth is often built through years of entrepreneurship, sometimes spanning multiple generations. You have to manage that carefully. That’s why families give careful thought to preserving value and to how they allocate and diversify their wealth over the long term.”

Bastiaan van Slobbe (left)

Private markets remain attractive

Private markets play an important role in long-term wealth accumulation. This aligns well with the background of many entrepreneurs. They have gone through a growth trajectory themselves and recognize that same ambition in other entrepreneurs who are in a similar phase.

Access to this market is becoming increasingly important. At the same time, the number of providers is also growing. “The challenge lies in the selection,” says Van Slobbe. “Who do you partner with?”

Key questions to consider include:

• Who are the fund managers?
• Which vintages are represented?
• How is the portfolio structured?
• What are the terms and conditions of the fund?
• And just as important: how are the risks structured?

If Van Slobbe had to draw one key conclusion from the UBS study, it would be this:

"The coming years aren’t about more alternatives, but about better organizing wealth."

Families are seeking access to strong managers with a clear strategy. They want professional decision-making, combined with sufficient diversification across markets, sectors, and time horizons. In addition, attention to the next generation remains essential.

This is precisely where Marktlink Capital plays an important role. Curious about what we can do for you? Please contact us.

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