The Next Generation Don't Just Want Wealth.They Want A Say

A quiet shift is taking place across Asia’s ultra-wealthy families. As succession plans begin to take shape and decades of capital moves from one generation to the next, many heirs are pushing for something different. More than just access to wealth, they expect bigger a role in deciding how it is used.

- Words: Francis Kan

EARLIER THIS YEAR, an heir to one of Asia’s largest financial fortunes made the unusual move of launching a private credit firm in New York, backed by family capital.

Rather than relying on traditional advisory structures, they assumed direct responsibility for investment strategy and governance. The move reflects a growing trend among next-generation leaders to move beyond inherited models and take a more active role in managing wealth.

This story is no longer an exception. It reflects a broader rethink of wealth across generations. Many families continue to work with wealth advisers, but they want greater control over where their capital goes and how it is managed.

At the same time, many next-generation investors feel unprepared to take on the responsibility of managing the family’s wealth, particularly when it comes to succession. The 2025 EY Global Wealth Research Report reflects this concern, with half of next-generation wealth holders saying they felt ill-equipped by the succession structures currently in place.

Furthermore, only 28 per cent felt their advisers had meaningfully engaged them during the transition process. The issue is not a rejection of professional advice, but a call for earlier and more inclusive dialogue as wealth passes from one generation to the next.

This shift is prompting many heirs to rethink their relationships with private banks. According to Capgemini’s