Two minutes with Johan van Niekerk, Head of Family Office US
Following a post-pandemic lull, the international movement of wealthy people is picking up again. The main drivers of this trend, though, are changing. Previously, tax was a key consideration. Today, it is a lower priority as people migrate for education, opportunity and lifestyle, among other things. A tight family bond is increasingly important to our clients, many of whom are moving to be closer to their children and grandchildren. The result is greater collaboration across the generations.
The United States remain a hub for entrepreneurs and innovation. Although it is still a big drawing card to the economically active generations of our client families, we are seeing a shift away from the traditional venture capital centres to other areas. South Florida, in particular, is drawing interest from within the US, Europe and Latin America.
Stonehage Fleming has a deep understanding of inter-generational, cross-border wealth. As a business, our roots were planted by entrepreneurial families and we have gone on to partner with internationally mobile families over many generations. This origin story appeals to entrepreneurial families seeking a like-minded partner. In the US, we are building out our Family Office offering to meet the requirements of our growing client base here.
Our offering is attractive in the market. With a sixth generation family at our core, we are an entirely independent international Family Office, meeting the needs of families with both domestic and international affairs. This unique profile has real appeal for many of our clients and we have been fortunate to serve many of the world’s foremost families over the years.
North America is in our DNA. Our founder, Robert Fleming, cemented his family’s future by investing in the US, then an emerging market. Today, the US is home to the largest ultra-high net worth population in the world whose specific requirements we are perfectly placed and ready to serve.
Johan is a Partner of the Stonehage Fleming Group and heads up our Family Office division in the US.