Governance in a Family Office

Decision Rights, Oversight, and Accountability

Governance is the most misunderstood, and most critical, component of a family office.
It is not about bureaucracy. It is about clarity.

Core Governance Elements

Effective family office governance typically includes:

• Defined decision rights (who decides what)
• Oversight bodies (boards, committees, councils)
• Clear separation between ownership and management
• Formalized policies for investments, risk, and succession

Without governance, even well-performing portfolios become fragile.

Governance Is a Living System

Governance must evolve with:

• Generational transitions
• Changes in asset complexity
• Shifts in family dynamics

Static governance structures often fail silently.