GPFO Summer Roundtable Series | Who Really Controls the Structure? (London)

​A four-part GPFO Family Office Solutions (FOS) Summer Roundtables Series on 'Resilient Wealth Structures' exploring how family offices are reassessing jurisdictional risk, governance frameworks and wealth structures in an increasingly uncertain world.

Across four invitation-only discussions, family office leaders and advisers will explore whether the assumptions that shaped wealth structuring over the past two decades still hold today. Topics include jurisdictional risk, governance, succession, control and the evolving definition of a safe haven.

All discussions will be held under Chatham House Rule.

​Roundtable 1: Who Really Controls the Structure?
Lessons from modern trust, foundation and succession disputes.

Many wealth structures are designed to preserve continuity across generations. Yet recent disputes have highlighted how questions of control, governance and succession can become significantly more complex when family interests diverge.

This roundtable explores one of the most important and often least discussed questions in wealth structuring:
Who ultimately controls the structure?

Drawing on recent developments and broader industry experience, participants will discuss founder influence, protector powers, governance mechanisms and succession planning through the lens of long-term family wealth preservation.

Discussion Topics

• Founder control versus next-generation governance
• The evolving role of protectors and family councils
• Governance mechanisms that withstand generational transition
• Common weaknesses exposed during family disputes
• How families can proactively reduce governance risk

Key Question

When a structure is tested, does control sit where the family thinks it sits?