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In an industry obsessed with being “fully digital”, I think we’re missing something — especially in South Africa and across the African markets I work in. Most clients don’t actually want a Zoom or Teams relationship. They tolerate it. Because when the conversation really matters — offshore structures, family wealth, succession, control — people don’t…

Every Fund Manager Walks In With a Thesis. Fewer Walk Out With Capital. There is a moment every aspiring fund manager experiences. Months, possibly years, possibly at the expense of relationships and sleep and a perfectly good career, have been spent perfecting the investment thesis. The strategy is airtight. The pitch deck is beautiful. The…

That was the initial advice given to an entrepreneur I recently met. He’s a Canadian citizen who wanted to structure an investment portfolio in Switzerland, with a clear objective: invest efficiently, stay compliant, and avoid unnecessary tax exposure. We paused. For a Canadian tax resident, using a trust or an offshore company can quickly lead to:…

Can a South African trust distribute directly to an offshore trust? Short answer: yes — if structured correctly. This is a topic I’m increasingly discussing with South African intermediaries and families who want to externalise wealth gradually and defensibly, rather than through blunt or rushed solutions. In principle, a South African trust may distribute capital…

Investment funds are often approached through a regulatory or tax lens. In practice, they are primarily structuring tools designed to support a strategy, protect investors, and facilitate capital raising. At their core, investment funds are used to: Pool capital efficiently Provide governance and investor protection Ring-fence risk Offer regulatory and tax clarity Enhance credibility with professional…

In conversations with South African clients, I’m often surprised at how many assume that an offshore trust is simply a “copy and paste” version of a local trust — just in another jurisdiction. It isn’t. The components may sound similar — but the mechanics and legal positioning are very different. Let’s unpack the core structural…

💼 A Family Office serves as a dedicated platform for high-net-worth families to manage their wealth, protect assets and plan for future generations 📝 By offering services like investment control, succession planning and family governance, it provides financial stability and long-term growth 📊 In simple terms, it is a great option for wealthy families to…

There’s a hidden secret in the Gulf that almost no one tells fund managers about. Many of my clients already run sophisticated, multi-jurisdictional fund platforms – Luxembourg, the UK, Channel Islands, BVI, Cayman… you name it. What they don’t have is a credible, boots-on-the-ground presence in the Gulf. And that’s where the classic dilemma starts: If you…

𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: Periods of political transition often prompt entrepreneurs and families to review existing wealth and succession structures. In the current context in Hungary, we are observing increased reflection among clients and advisers around long-term asset protection, governance, and succession planning, particularly in light of potential regulatory and tax changes. From an intermediary perspective, cross-border…

Cyprus provides a maximum tax rate of only 3% on income earned from IP assets, which is the lowest when compared with its nearest competitors like Belgium 3.75%, Hungary 4.5%, Luxembourg 4.99%, Lithuania 5%, Poland 5%, Ireland 6.25%, Netherlands 9% and lastly France and UK with…

In recent months, geopolitical tension, shifting trade alliances, elections across major economies, and ongoing conflicts have reminded us how interconnected (and fragile) the global economic system truly is. Political decisions made thousands of kilometres away can trigger immediate market volatility, currency swings, capital flow restrictions, and regulatory change. For South African business owners and families,…

1. Why is Switzerland Such an Attractive Location for Corporates? Switzerland is considered an attractive location for corporates for several reasons: Strategic Location: Centrally located in Europe with excellent transport links, including multiple international airports and efficient rail networks, making it an ideal hub for businesses aiming to access EU markets. Innovation and Research: Home to prestigious universities,…