By: Ana Ventura
Two minutes with Ana Ventura, Head of Family Office Jersey
Ana is Head of our Jersey Family Office Division, she serves as a Key Adviser to a number of high net worth South African and international families.
There is an engaging dialogue with younger generation, which wasn’t there before Covid. We have seen clients bring children into discussions around their financial affairs considerably earlier. Families are also placing more emphasis on their own social impact – demonstrating an increasing interest in ESG investing, their carbon footprint and the living wage. In addition, structuring is becoming less tax driven. People still want to be efficient but there is now significant emphasis placed on other factors too.
We are on the front foot when it comes to technology. Client expectations of the speed, quality and convenience of communications with their family office have risen. Being tech-enabled is essential if we are to remain relevant. We use technology to free up our people’s time, enabling them to deliver added value to clients.
Our client relationship managers are the ‘conductors of the orchestra’. They are the centralised point of contact, providing continuity of advice and coordination, be it pulling in expertise from our skilled in-house advisers or our extensive broader network. Our team in Jersey has more of a legal and fiduciary focus, however we also have accounting experts, investment specialists and colleagues with strong secretarial backgrounds to ensure good governance – all under one roof.
Jersey continues to expand its global reach and influence as an international financial centre. It has a world-class business infrastructure, it is flexible with a robust regulatory system, has long established policies for planning and a proactive approach in its dealings with foreign governments and international regulators. It is in a great position to drive and influence change.
It’s important to give back to the societies and communities in which we operate. In a smaller jurisdiction like Jersey, a contribution can go a very long way. This is something close to the hearts of many of our employees – whether that’s a weekly donation for dress down Fridays or volunteering at the local soup kitchen. It is also great for team morale and wellbeing.
Our values are one of the most positive attributes of our firm. You only have to look at the long years of service of our people, one of whom recently celebrated an amazing 40 years. That’s a great testament to the fact that our people are loyal, fulfilled and feel part of the Stonehage Fleming family.
Find out more about Stonehage Fleming's Family Office