Standard Chartered Global Private Bank hosted the second edition of its Global Families Network Forum in the United Arab Emirates, gathering over 200 international clients and guests, including 90 ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families from more than 30 markets across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
The event was themed “Shifting Paradigms” and focused on providing UHNW families with insights and discussions about challenges facing family wealth and businesses. The forum served as a closed-door platform for networking and sharing experiences to guide intergenerational wealth planning.
A new feature at this year’s forum was the Next Generation Programme. Participants engaged with leaders and innovators from the next generation and took part in a ventures workshop designed to provide practical experience.
The two-day event included a welcome dinner on October 29 followed by a full-day conference on October 30. Speakers represented 15 nationalities. Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry participated in a fireside chat with Bill Winters, Standard Chartered’s Group Chief Executive, discussing resilience amid volatility. His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Cabinet Member & Minister of Economy and Tourism, delivered a keynote address at the main conference. His Excellency Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, gave an address at the welcome dinner.
Other speakers included His Excellency Hadi Badri (CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation), Dr Mary Ann Tsao (Chairwoman of Tsao Foundation), Sabrina Fung (Group Managing Director of Fung Retailing Group), Muna Al Gurg (Vice Chairperson and Director of Retail at Al Gurg Group; Founder of Meem Foundation), Shravin Mittal (Founder and CEO of Unbound), and Mohammed Abdullah Al Garafi (Founder and President of Syndicate Holding Group).
The UAE was chosen as the location for this year’s forum after last year’s inaugural event in Hong Kong. Organizers cited the UAE’s status as a major financial center with stable regulations, diverse population, and strategic connectivity between Asia, Africa, and Europe as reasons for its selection.
Raymond Ang, Global Head of Private Bank and Affluent Clients at Standard Chartered said: “Managing family wealth is becoming increasingly complex amidst today’s shifting paradigms. Our flagship Global Families Network Forum provides ultra-high-net-worth families with a trusted space to connect, share and learn, while our team of experts stand ready to support them in building resilient legacies that last for generations.”
In conjunction with the forum, Standard Chartered released research findings based on surveys with over 300 UHNW families and their office professionals titled “The Great Repositioning.” The report offers insights aimed at helping families protect their wealth during changing times. More information can be found at sc.com/private-banking.
Standard Chartered is an international banking group present in more than 50 markets worldwide. Its private banking arm serves UHNW clients through advisory centers in Hong Kong, Singapore, UAE, and the UK by offering investment opportunities, wealth planning services, structured lending solutions, corporate advisory services, access to private markets opportunities as well as dedicated support for external asset managers.