By Dr. Remko Van Ekelen – Chief Executive Officer, Amergeris Wealth Management Group AG
Ultra-high-net-worth families are increasingly navigating a more complex global wealth environment. From succession planning and governance to international investments, maintaining intergenerational wealth continuity today may require AMC structures that support flexibility, governance efficiency and long-term operational resilience.
As family offices expand across jurisdictions and asset classes, many are exploring modern global structuring solutions that can help simplify operations while supporting evolving governance and investment objectives within applicable legal and regulatory frameworks like AMCs.
The Rise of Global Cell Structures
Global cell-based investment vehicles are becoming increasingly relevant for family offices managing diversified international portfolios.
Structures such as Actively Managed Certificates (AMCs), Variable Capital Companies (VCCs), Incorporated Cell Companies (ICCs), Protected Cell Companies (PCCs) and Segregated Portfolio Companies (SPCs) may, depending on the jurisdiction and regulatory framework, allow multiple investment strategies to operate within a single legal entity while maintaining separation between assets and liabilities.
These structures can in certain circumstances support administrative efficiency, governance oversight and operational flexibility for internationally active families. Availability, suitability and legal treatment vary across jurisdictions and should be assessed based on specific legal, tax and regulatory considerations.
Modern structures should also operate alongside robust governance, transparency, AML/CFT compliance, economic substance and regulatory reporting frameworks.
Modern Approaches to Succession Planning
Succession planning remains a significant priority for family offices focused on governance continuity, legacy planning and intergenerational wealth stewardship.
In certain jurisdictions, foundations may provide an alternative governance and succession framework to traditional trust arrangements. Depending on the legal and regulatory environment, foundations can support governance clarity, structured family participation and long-term continuity planning.
As family wealth becomes increasingly international, governance frameworks, fiduciary oversight and transparency considerations are playing a larger role in supporting responsible stewardship across generations.
Flexible Structuring for Evolving Family Offices
No two family offices operate in the same way. Some families may prefer hosted structures that support faster market entry and operational flexibility, while others may require bespoke platforms tailored to more complex international investment and governance requirements.
Flexible structuring pathways can allow family offices to adapt according to changing operational, governance and investment objectives while remaining aligned with applicable legal and regulatory obligations.
Operational resilience, information governance and cybersecurity oversight are also becoming increasingly important considerations for internationally active family offices.
Supporting Long-Term Governance and Continuity
Jurisdiction selection may also support regulatory stability, operational efficiency and appropriate confidentiality protections within applicable legal frameworks.
By combining modern investment vehicles, governance structures and integrated cross-border administration, family offices may establish internationally coordinated platforms designed to support governance continuity, succession planning and long-term operational resilience.
For globally active wealthy families, strategic structuring is increasingly becoming part of broader legacy, governance and continuity planning considerations.
No structure eliminates legal, regulatory, operational or investment risk, and the suitability of any structure depends on the specific circumstances, objectives and applicable legal and tax considerations of each family office.
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Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory, investment or financial advice. Structures, products and solutions referenced herein may not be available or suitable in all jurisdictions and remain subject to applicable laws, regulations and regulatory approvals. Readers should seek independent professional advice based on their specific circumstances before making any structuring, investment or governance decisions.