Hard-earned wealth of the first-generation businesses tend to get lost at the hands of the third-generation due to lack of entrepreneurship, luxury lifestyle and other habits. Perpetual Insurance that puts the wealth into a trust for professional management, could save it from disappearing due to the 3rd Generation Syndrome.
News Highlights:
- Family business wealth to the tune of US$1 trillion (Dh.67 trillion) in the Middle East will keep changing hands one generation to the next in the next ten years;
- Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) launched the Global Family Business & Private Wealth Centre on the 1st of September 2022, to help nurture and promote an estimated $1 trillion wealth;
- It is estimated that only 20 per cent of family businesses are managed by the third generation in the Middle East;
- According to Capgemini Research Institute’s World Wealth Report 2021, the population of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in the Middle East region grew by 6.8 percent to 800,000, while their wealth soared by 10.7 percent to $3.2 trillion in 2020.
Perpetual Insurance that insures the head of the family businesses for a longer term covering certain risks, could save a potential US$1 trillion worth of wealth in the Middle East in the next ten years as family business ownership changes hands from the first and second generation to the third that might suffer from the 3rd Generation Syndrome.
According to Capgemini Research Institute’s World Wealth Report 2021, the population of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in the Middle East region grew by 6.8 percent to 800,000, while their wealth soared by 10.7 percent to $3.2 trillion in 2020.
The UAE is home to 92,600 US-dollar millionaires; 4,000 multi-millionaires worth more than $10 million; 251 centi-millionaires (over $100 million), and 14 US-dollar billionaires, according to the latest Henley Global Citizens Report.
The majority of high net worth individuals (HNWIs) don’t have a proper corporate governance structure or a wealth succession plan in place for their family businesses, according to a Lombard Odier exclusive survey issued recently. The Swiss private bank found that 90 percent think that their family business is set up for an efficient wealth transfer to the next generation. However, only 24 percent have a full estate plan in place.
Leadership of a large number of family businesses in the Middle East is changing from father to son or daughter, without proper estate plan or succession plan, that usually results in painful split in the family, hostile division of wealth, litigation or even bankruptcy. Many family businesses have survived from the first to second generation, but failed by the third generation who are accustomed to luxury, a certain lifestyle and a superior degree of comfort and lack entrepreneurship and who are not accustomed to undertake challenges.
Family business wealth to the tune of US$1 trillion (Dh.67 trillion) in the Middle East will keep changing hands one generation to the next in the next ten years – that need to be protected – which might disappear in thin air if not protected properly.
“Perpetual Insurance policies that protects the business owner against certain risks for a longer period with a one-time deposit that works as a premium, is one way of solving this problem,” Ms Leena Parwani, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LPH Financial Services, says. “The deposit remains with the insurer for the duration of the policy and could be taken back by the insured in full, without any deduction – which makes Perpetual Insurance Policy an asset, rather than an expense.
“It is important to fix the legacy issues so that the wealth doesn’t go ashtray due to inter-generational transition. Easy money is also lost easily.”
Due to these factors, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) launched the Global Family Business & Private Wealth Centre on the 1st of September 2022, to help nurture and promote an estimated $1 trillion wealth that will be transferred to the next generation in Middle East in the next decade. The DIFC Global Family Business & Private Wealth Centre is the first in the region & worldwide.
“The initiative aligns with the UAE Government’s commitment to support family businesses, which continue to play a prominent role in accelerating the growth of the country’s economy. It is estimated that only 20 per cent of family businesses are managed by the third generation in the Middle East,” a DIFC spokesperson said.
It is crucial to educate those who face challenges related to governance, succession, ownership, wealth, family dynamics and strategy to ensure a solid family business and long-term success.
Additionally, Perpetual Insurance Policy could set up a trust where all family members become part of the trust and are protected by the policy.
“The family wealth goes to the trust once the business owner dies and is partly distributed to the surviving members. The rest of the family money is invested in businesses and investment schemes while proceeds go to the family members as per the succession plan and as per the terms of division of wealth, Leena Parwani explains.
“However, Perpetual Insurance protects the family wealth by ensuring that the wealth is invested in well-running businesses and sustains for generations. This way family wealth could be protected and passed on to the next generation.”
LPH Financial Services has the expertise to advise family businesses on estate planning and succession planning through a number of financial schemes including Perpetual Investment.
Leena Parwani, who started her financial services practice in 2013, has been one of the UAE’s top financial consultants for the last nine consecutive years, serving large corporations, entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Her company LPH Financial Services offers financial consultancy on personal wealth protection, estate planning, succession planning against potential risks to individuals and companies against various kinds of loss or damage.
About LPH Financial Services
LPH Financial Services is a Dubai-based leading financial services and insurance advisory that specialises in cost-effective risk assessment, family estate planning, wealth preservation, wealth creation solutions to corporations, small and medium enterprises as well as high networth individuals – in their estate planning, financial planning and business continuity plans.
LPH has a strong and well-balanced portfolio of business covering health, estate planning, life insurance and education policy coverage. It’s health insurance portfolio covers more than 17,000 lives and keeps growing.
LPH Financial Services is run by a team of dedicated financial planners and insurance professionals who are here to ensure that the clients make the right choices when it comes to their financial plan. It aims to become the most trusted and reputed financial consulting firm in the Middle East by leveraging on the collective expertise of its professional team and always delivering excellence.
Simultaneously, the company intends to build long-term value in the insurance and investment industry through alliances with established global partners. Its team is also deeply focused on helping create abundance in health and wealth for expatriates living in the Middle East. LPH believes in setting realistic goals, achieving them in a timely manner with coordinated efforts, and living its vision through every milestone.
Established in 2013 by Ms Leena Parwani, Founder and CEO, LPH Financial Services helps businesses, business owners and high-networth individuals with effective, customised financial planning that solutions are of great value and helps them manage their business, life and financial future better.
