Family Office Stories

Hosted by PwC Switzerland

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Apr 2026

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About the show

Swiss family businesses have a responsibility towards the family as well as the company. Our family office podcast series is dedicated to a number of key topics that concern family entrepreneurs: family office and asset planning, family governance, owner strategy, values system, succession planning, generational issues, digitalisation, pressure to innovate, shortage of skilled workers and much more.

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29 recent

June 15, 202614 min

Pre-IPO investing: How family offices stay selective in private markets

Key topics we discuss include: The practical barriers to private market investing: why information gaps, network-driven access and ongoing administration continue to challenge lean family office teams. Funds versus deal-by-deal investing: the trade-offs shaping how families balance commitment, liquidity and control across their private market exposure. The role of late-stage, pre-IPO technology in a diversified portfolio: why allocations are growing, and why the point of entry matters as much as the opportunity itself. The next generation's influence: how younger family members are reshaping private market allocations, and why co-investing is emerging as both a strategy and a learning tool. Judgement and automation in due diligence: where AI adds efficiency in research and screening, and where human judgement remains essential when information is incomplete or difficult to verify.

April 21, 202615 min

Information is key: Why KYC is becoming a strategic advantage for family offices

Key topics we discuss include: “KYC is not just KYC”: why family offices need a joined‑up view that goes beyond AML and source of wealth to include reputational risk, sanctions exposure, PEP relationships and adverse media—and how these factors can affect assets and structures. Building a fact‑based “financial biography”: documenting how wealth was accumulated—from the first dollar to the most recent—and how structures evolved across jurisdictions and over time, to support recurring due diligence requests and create consistency across institutions. Reducing recurring friction: how gaps in historic knowledge can slow down processes with banks and counterparties, and why consolidating information in one place can make a tangible difference. Intergenerational readiness: why the next generation often cannot explain historic wealth creation, and how a clear record supports succession, mobility and future banking or investment conversations. Technology vs human judgement: how automation and AI are changing due diligence, but why human insight remains essential to interpret context and connect the dots—particularly where information is incomplete or hard to verify across regions.

February 23, 202620 min

Prime Central London: Where global trends meet property opportunities

In this episode of our Family Office Podcast, Lisa Cornwell speaks with Hugh Obbard, founder of London-based advisory firm Obbard, which has helped global families navigate Prime Central London real estate for more than 30 years – a market that has long been a preferred destination for internationally mobile families seeking stability and long‑term value. They discuss how the market has shifted over the past decade – from tax changes and political uncertainty to new patterns of international mobility – and why these dynamics have created meaningful buying opportunities. The conversation explores the breadth of global demand, the appeal of London even for families who have moved abroad and who have traditionally viewed Prime Central London as a safe and familiar base, and the role that strategic refurbishment plays in creating long-term value. Hugh also shares practical insights into managing UK property from overseas and what “absentee ownership” really requires in today’s environment.

January 16, 202615 min

Family Office: US family office trends shaping 2026

In this episode of our Family Office Podcast, Lisa Cornwell chats with Danielle Valkner, who heads our US family office practice and guides some of the world's most influential families.They explore how US family offices are evolving—transforming into efficient, business-like entities by integrating the right talent, processes, controls, and technology. The discussion delves into what it means to use AI responsibly, moves onto governance and engaging the next generation and touches on investment trends being seen in the Family Office space.

December 18, 202524 min

Family Office: Maximising social impact in private foundations

In this episode of our “Family Business Stories” podcast Lisa Cornwell, who leads our private clients and Family Offices team, engages with philanthropy consultant Diego Estrada to explore how private foundations and grant-makers can boost their impact sustainably. They discuss enhancing operations and governance, fostering trust-based partnerships, and why Switzerland stands out as a hub for innovation and talent. Diego shares insights on trends, common challenges like due diligence and oversight, and practical ways to measure results. His advice: work together, avoid reinventing the wheel—and act swiftly.

September 16, 202517 min

Family Office: Insights on transitions within family offices

In episode 24 of our Family Business Stories Podcast, PwC’s Lisa Cornwell talks to Gilles Erulin, a longstanding family office practitioner and founder of Westwick Melrose & Cromwell (WMC), a hands-on consulting firm that supports families with family offices in managing extraordinary situations. Among other things, they look at Gilles’s learnings from decades at Financiere Pinault, the family office of billionaire businessman Francois Pinault and his children – including family office mergers and acquisitions and the challenges of succession in a wealthy business-owning family.A lot of family offices are well equipped to run their ordinary business. It’s when something suddenly pops up or starts nagging the family that they may not have the team in place to deal with the situation. In these circumstances, WMC can provide valuable expertise, such as supporting the family in navigating a merger or acquisition in an unfamiliar jurisdiction, or facilitating the transition from the first to the second generation. Gilles also talks about the challenges of ensuring proper corporate governance in family offices without detracting from the uniqueness of the family itself – in other words, preserving the family’s right to be different.Is your family office faced with a major transition or an extraordinary situation? Check out the podcast to find out how experienced practitioners can help you negotiate circumstances that depart from daily business.

June 20, 202511 min

Family Office: Tax Inheritance – Part 3

In this episode of our “Family Business Stories” podcast the last our mini-series focussed on the upcoming Switzerland Inheritance Initiative, PwC’s Lisa Cornwell talks to Alexandra Bertschi, PwC Switzerland’s family governance specialist. They talk about some of the more family-related and emotional aspects of the new tax inheritance initiative, due to go to the vote in the coming months. If approved, it would comprise a 50% federal inheritance tax with a one-off CHF 50 million exemption.

May 7, 20259 min

Family Office: Tax Inheritance – Part 2

In this episode of our Family Office Podcast, Lisa Cornwell talks to Jürg Niederbacher, who leads PwC’s private wealth practice across Switzerland, about the latest practical developments in the Inheritance Initiative. Now that the proposal and the alternatives have been rejected by the two chambers of parliament, what are the chances of a Yes vote later this year?

April 3, 202513 min

Family Office: Tax Inheritance - Part 1

In this episode of our Family Office Podcast, we talk to PwC Switzerland’s head of tax about how wealthy families are tackling the issue of inheritance – in particular in light of the upcoming inheritance initiative in Switzerland. This is the first of three editions of the podcast devoted to inheritance and succession, a technically complex but also emotionally charged issue for the people involved and those responsible for managing their affairs.

January 23, 202515 min

Family Office: Investment strategy

In this episode of our Family Office Podcast, we talk to Nick Bedford, investment advisor at NFG Partners, about the growing popularity of Outsourced Chief Investment Officers (OCIOs) among family offices. Nick shares some insights into why more family offices are embracing the OCIO model to access top-tier investment expertise and resources without the need for an extensive in-house team. He explores how OCIOs help navigate today’s complex investment landscape, covering everything from alternative investments to private markets. The conversation highlights the economic and strategic benefits of outsourcing, including cost savings, enhanced discipline and accountability in investment management.