Family Office Stories

Key topics we discuss include:

“KYC is not just KYC”: why family offices need a joined‑up view that goes beyond AML and source of wealth to include reputational risk, sanctions exposure, PEP relationships and adverse media—and how these factors can affect assets and structures. 

Building a fact‑based “financial biography”: documenting how wealth was accumulated—from the first dollar to the most recent—and how structures evolved across jurisdictions and over time, to support recurring due diligence requests and create consistency across institutions. 

Reducing recurring friction: how gaps in historic knowledge can slow down processes with banks and counterparties, and why consolidating information in one place can make a tangible difference. 

Intergenerational readiness: why the next generation often cannot explain historic wealth creation, and how a clear record supports succession, mobility and future banking or investment conversations. 

Technology vs human judgement: how automation and AI are changing due diligence, but why human insight remains essential to interpret context and connect the dots—particularly where information is incomplete or hard to verify across regions.

In this episode of our Family Office Podcast, Lisa Cornwell speaks with Hugh Obbard, founder of London-based advisory firm Obbard, which has helped global families navigate Prime Central London real estate for more than 30 years – a market that has long been a preferred destination for internationally mobile families seeking stability and long‑term value.

They discuss how the market has shifted over the past decade – from tax changes and political uncertainty to new patterns of international mobility – and why these dynamics have created meaningful buying opportunities. The conversation explores the breadth of global demand, the appeal of London even for families who have moved abroad and who have traditionally viewed Prime Central London as a safe and familiar base, and the role that strategic refurbishment plays in creating long-term value. Hugh also shares practical insights into managing UK property from overseas and what “absentee ownership” really requires in today’s environment.

In this episode of our Family Office Podcast, Lisa Cornwell chats with Danielle Valkner, who heads our US family office practice and guides some of the world's most influential families.
They explore how US family offices are evolving—transforming into efficient, business-like entities by integrating the right talent, processes, controls, and technology. The discussion delves into what it means to use AI responsibly, moves onto governance and engaging the next generation and touches on investment trends being seen in the Family Office space.

In this episode of our “Family Business Stories” podcast Lisa Cornwell, who leads our private clients and Family Offices team, engages with philanthropy consultant Diego Estrada to explore how private foundations and grant-makers can boost their impact sustainably. They discuss enhancing operations and governance, fostering trust-based partnerships, and why Switzerland stands out as a hub for innovation and talent. Diego shares insights on trends, common challenges like due diligence and oversight, and practical ways to measure results. His advice: work together, avoid reinventing the wheel—and act swiftly.

In episode 24 of our Family Business Stories Podcast, PwC’s Lisa Cornwell talks to Gilles Erulin, a longstanding family office practitioner and founder of Westwick Melrose & Cromwell (WMC), a hands-on consulting firm that supports families with family offices in managing extraordinary situations. Among other things, they look at Gilles’s learnings from decades at Financiere Pinault, the family office of billionaire businessman Francois Pinault and his children – including family office mergers and acquisitions and the challenges of succession in a wealthy business-owning family.
A lot of family offices are well equipped to run their ordinary business. It’s when something suddenly pops up or starts nagging the family that they may not have the team in place to deal with the situation. In these circumstances, WMC can provide valuable expertise, such as supporting the family in navigating a merger or acquisition in an unfamiliar jurisdiction, or facilitating the transition from the first to the second generation.  Gilles also talks about the challenges of ensuring proper corporate governance in family offices without detracting from the uniqueness of the family itself – in other words, preserving the family’s right to be different.
Is your family office faced with a major transition or an extraordinary situation? Check out the podcast to find out how experienced practitioners can help you negotiate circumstances that depart from daily business.