UAE's appeal as a global family office hub grows

The UAE is rapidly becoming the go-to destination for the world's wealthiest families seeking to manage assets worth trillions of dollars, and the recent Family Office Summit 2025, held in Abu Dhabi, underscored this shift.

- Issac John

With its tax advantages, strategic location, and progressive regulatory framework, the UAE is redefining wealth management, attracting global high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking innovative and secure ways to preserve and grow their wealth.

Bringing together 235 high-level participants including 61 family offices, 82 family holdings, and representatives managing over $500 billion in assets the summit highlighted why the UAE is a magnet for family offices.

The summit, a cornerstone event for global investors, showcased Abu Dhabi's rise as a hub for wealth leadership, building on the success of previous Dubai editions. Discussions spanned 11 panels, covering topics from governance to the future of legacy, with a focus on how family offices are evolving.

A standout panel, Family Office 2.0, featured experts like Vaidotas Melynavicius of Santocedrus Capital and Amer Al Osh of Gewan Holding, who emphasised the role of next-generation leaders in driving tech-enabled, future-ready family offices. These young stewards are embedding sustainability, technology, and entrepreneurial thinking into their investment strategies, reflecting a generational shift.

According to a recent report, 79 per cent of Middle Eastern next-gen investors see high potential in digital and tech sectors, aligning with the UAE's innovation-driven vision.