The Great Wealth Transfer and a Building Value
An estimated $84–88 trillion in assets will transfer from Baby Boomers to Millennials and Gen Z over the next 20–25 years through businesses and portfolio assets. But this shift is more than financial—it’s philosophical. New generations are demanding transparency, impact, and more active engagement in how wealth is deployed.
In this environment, the family office has emerged as one of the most powerful and adaptable structures in modern finance. Once quiet, back-office operations focused on preservation, family offices are now preferred capital partners—valued for their long-term orientation, flexibility, and ability to align purpose with performance.
In 2000, there were an estimated 1,000–1,500 family offices worldwide managing a few hundred billion in assets. Today, that number has grown to over 12,000 globally, with estimated AUM exceeding $10 trillion. Much of this growth has been fueled by generational wealth creation, the rise of tech and real estate fortunes, and a desire for greater control and alignment across investments, estate planning, and impact initiatives.
What Is a Family Office Today?
Every family office reflects its founder’s ethos. Some focus on wealth preservation. At Roessing Whittaker, we view ours as a platform for building.
Rooted in entrepreneurial investing, we focus on:
- Direct investments in real assets and operating businesses
- Strategic partnerships with best-in-class fund managers
- Build projects in our core strengths: the Built Environment and Real Assets
Our mission is not just financial—it’s purpose-aligned. We reinvest in people and places with creativity, capital, and contribution.
Why Family Offices Are on the Rise
Family offices are increasingly shaping the capital landscape. In a world where traditional capital can be slow and impersonal, family offices offer:
- Speed, flexibility, and patient capital
- The ability to anchor real estate and infrastructure deals
- Leadership in venture rounds and vertical consolidations
- Long-term ownership of operating businesses, free from exit pressure
They bring more than capital—they bring alignment and values, creating an edge for firms like Roessing Whittaker.
Portfolio Strategy for a Shifting Market
Public markets remain a core component—but efficiency has made alpha harder to capture. In 2000, there were 8,000+ U.S. public companies. By 2020, that number had fallen below 4,000, as firms stay private to avoid regulation and disclosure burdens.
Meanwhile, private markets have exploded—from $600–700 billion in 2000 to over $13 trillion today. But with more capital chasing fewer deals, selectivity is critical.
Our strategy at Roessing Whittaker blends:
- Core Public Holdings: Indexed, long-term exposure
- Private Market Selectivity: Allocations to proven managers
- Direct Investments: Opportunities where we can lead and operate
- Build Projects: Business creation in industries we know well
This approach gives us control, flexibility, and access to value creation.
Structure & Systems: Powering the Platform
Modern family offices are more than investment arms—they are high-functioning service organizations. At Roessing Whittaker, we optimize:
- Liquidity and tax strategy
- Consolidated performance reporting
- Entity and estate management
- Philanthropy and succession planning
Strong systems reduce friction, enabling us to focus on decision-making, relationships, and impact.
Conclusion: From Preservation to Creation
Family offices are no longer just stewards of wealth—they are builders, investors, and entrepreneurs shaping the next generation of opportunity.
At Roessing Whittaker, we believe the best way to honor our past is to build and invest in the future—with intention, discipline, and purpose.
