Function · Family office investment leadership
Family office Chief Investment Officer search.
Confidential search for Chief Investment Officers and senior investment leaders serving single family offices, private investment offices and UHNW principals.
The appointment
A family-office CIO is responsible for more than performance. The role translates a family’s objectives, time horizon, risk appetite and values into an investable strategy; builds governance around decision-making; and creates an investment capability that can endure across generations.
The organisations
Single family offices, multi-family offices, private investment companies, UHNW principals, family-owned operating groups and newly established investment offices.
Leadership briefs
- Chief Investment Officer and Deputy CIO
- Investment Director and Head of Investments
- Public and private markets leadership
- Direct investment and private equity leadership
- Real estate and alternatives leadership
- Investment operations, risk and portfolio analytics
Reading the field
Assessment examines investment responsibilities, governance and communication with principals. Relevant experience may come from different institutions, but the required investment model and authority must be defined first.
Questions behind the brief
- What should be managed internally and externally?
- How will authority be shared with principals and an investment committee?
- Does the office need an allocator, direct investor or capability builder?
- What succession and governance will protect continuity?
Defining this mandate
Start with the investment model: allocation to external managers, direct investing or a combination. Establish the authority delegated by the principal, the role of the investment committee and the resources available before assessing candidates.
How retained search worksPractical questions
Does the office need an allocator or a direct investor?
An allocator selects and oversees managers; a direct investor needs the capability to originate, evaluate and manage investments. Some offices combine both. The brief should specify asset classes, internal resources and who makes the final decisions.
How do you assess the relationship with the principal?
We explore how candidates explain risk, handle disagreement, document decisions and work within delegated authority. The assessment considers the actual governance arrangements rather than assuming all family offices operate alike.
Is this an investment advisory service?
This service concerns the appointment of an investment leader. The mandate does not provide portfolio recommendations, investment management or legal advice.
The right search begins with a better brief.
Tell us about the appointment, the ownership context and what must change.
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