The Family Office Summit 2025 concluded at Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, bringing together top-tier investors and family offices managing more than $500 billion in assets.
The exclusive event highlighted Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a global centre for private capital, governance, and digital innovation.
High-level attendance
The summit welcomed 235 carefully selected participants, including 61 family offices, 82 family holdings, 29 mid-market buy-side firms, and 5 sovereign wealth and pension funds. This year’s edition marked a significant step in Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a hub for long-term capital and next-generation wealth leadership.
“The Family Office Summit has become a cornerstone event for global investors seeking deep dialogue and curated networking,” said Obediah Ayton, Chairman of the Family Office Summit. “The summit offered the perfect backdrop for transformative conversations with 11 panel discussions unpacked covering topics about wealth, governance, and the future of legacy.”
Next-gen influence grows
A key theme was the rising influence of next-generation investors. Panelists from firms such as Santocedrus Capital, Gewan Holding, Aras Partners, and Mashreq explored how younger family members are embracing tech-forward, impact-driven strategies. A recent report noted that 79% of next-gen investors in the Middle East see strong potential in digital and tech sectors.
These shifts are driving a more proactive approach to innovation, with younger leaders embedding sustainability, digital strategy, and entrepreneurial thinking into their long-term investment plans.
Focus on private equity and resilience
Panel discussions also addressed how family offices are using private equity to diversify portfolios and align with long-term value goals. Green energy emerged as a key area of interest, reflecting the UAE’s broader sustainability targets.
In sessions focused on building resilient family offices, experts shared insights on governance frameworks, risk management, and operational structures designed to secure legacy and ensure continuity across generations.
Technology and regulatory clarity
The evolving digital asset market also featured prominently. Attendees discussed the role of AI in investment decision-making and the growing comfort among family offices with virtual assets. Many investors are now viewing cryptocurrency as a structured asset class, especially as regulatory clarity from the UAE’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) improves.
Inclusive leadership and collaboration
The summit also emphasized inclusive governance and gender diversity, with growing roles for female leaders and a strong focus on intergenerational collaboration. This was supported by the attendance of 19 family offices joining the UAE event for the first time, reflecting broader global interest.
Obediah Ayton added: “The panels explored how family offices are strategically balancing financial returns with long-term impact, particularly through investments in high-potential sectors such as healthcare and real estate. We discussed how next-generation and female leaders are playing pivotal roles in driving innovation by leveraging advanced technologies like AI to enhance decision-making, strengthen governance, and shape long-term legacy planning.”
The summit attracted participation from the GCC, Europe, the US, and Asia, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a destination for strategic wealth dialogue and financial innovation.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
