Ultra-wealthy entrepreneurs and clients demand personalized management of their assets. In response to this trend, specialized firms are innovating while keeping the human element at the center.

Given the increasing complexity of family and entrepreneurial wealth, wealth management can no longer rely on standardized approaches. It must embrace a holistic vision where every detail matters.

A broad ecosystem of actors The ecosystem of actors capable of meeting these needs is extensive, with each having strengths to offer. The family office, whether single or multi, is a key player in entrepreneurial succession. It coordinates the interventions of multiple experts (lawyers, notaries, accountants) while actively preparing future generations. "The family office is a 360° player, ensuring a rational, structured, and transgenerational vision," emphasizes Charles-Henri Bujard, president of the AFFO. Family succession thus becomes an elaborate process where financial aspects are just one dimension among others, equally important as preserving family harmony. "Structuring a family office is already a step towards a succession mindset," he adds. Another essential player, wealth management advisors (CGP), can claim proximity and agility to offer tailored follow-up. "The CGP shares a common DNA with the business leader, which naturally enhances the quality of the relationship," highlights Yves Mazin, president of the CNCGP. Historically positioned with wealth clients, CGPs are now capable of supporting clients up to wealth management without relational disruption. "Over the years, firms have professionalized and structured themselves, collaborating closely, whenever necessary, with notaries, lawyers, and accountants," he adds. In a constantly evolving environment, this adaptability represents a major competitive advantage.

Among the pioneering management companies of the personalized approach, Generali Wealth Solutions (GWS), established in 2020 and composed of wealth engineers, structurers, and experienced managers, relies on the triptych "expertise, service, and execution" to build customized solutions around mandates, dedicated funds, and structured products. "What is crucial is the support, bolstered by our expertise combined with our execution capability," states Alessandra Gaudio, President of GWS. "Private clients, and especially HNW*, expect investments that make sense but also deliver performance by capturing upsides while cushioning the downturns in financial markets," specifies Arnaud Bouché, deputy general director. In this regard, GWS has developed structured impact products linked to local and concrete projects, such as reforestation and biodiversity preservation.

AI, an essential lever Technology has become a crucial lever. "To meet the expectations for ultra-personalization, family offices and CGPs must invest heavily in advanced data technologies, as well as in profiles capable of mastering them," argues Joachim Savigny, president of Cheval Blanc Patrimoine. The various actors are also being offered innovative solutions. "In the age of AI, all wealth advice can be hyper-personalized," insists Vincent Aurez, co-founder of Figen AI. The French fintech has developed a reliable and personalized "AI agent" to assist and help CGPs, private banks, and family offices. "We designed Figen AI to ensure that human expertise remains at the heart of the client relationship while fully leveraging the power of AI," continues Vincent Aurez.

The human element remains central

Indeed, the human element is more than ever the pivot of supporting HNW clients. "The primary capital of an entrepreneurial family is human capital," emphasizes Charles-Henri Bujard. Personalization thus relies primarily on a deep understanding of family dynamics, often marked by profound emotional and relational stakes. Moreover, technology still shows limitations, particularly in producing personalized reports. "The promise of smooth and automated reporting for complex assets and sophisticated portfolios remains a mirage. Only expert human intervention today guarantees coherence and clarity," asserts Joachim Savigny. The wealth management of HNW clients thus plays out in the subtle alliance between human expertise, cutting-edge technological tools, and an intimate understanding of family and entrepreneurial issues.

*The dedicated fund, between private and institutional management The dedicated fund can meet the needs of ultra-personalization. "It's one of the rare vehicles capable of combining management agility and advanced wealth structuring," says Michel Dinet, president of Sapienta Gestion. Reserved for ultra-high-net-worth clients, the dedicated fund allows for the construction of finely calibrated and highly diversified portfolios, combining UCITS assets and derivatives. With its own ISIN code, it can be integrated into different legal and tax structures or envelopes. "A true passport to institutional management, the dedicated fund opens access to less heavily loaded units and sophisticated strategies, usually inaccessible to private clients," notes Michel Dinet. But the efficiency of such a solution relies on listening closely to the client, understanding their risk profile, and their behavioral biases. "The allocation should not be scattered, but aligned with the individual's wealth and entrepreneurial history," insists Michel Dinet. This requires close coordination between the family office, accountant, notary, and lawyer, to