Скачать или смотреть Factory Feature Ep. 1 | Stephan Gerwert (PwC) on Family Office Governance & Complexity

In the first episode of Factory Feature, Colten Ratz sits down with Stephan Gerwert, who leads Family Office Services at PwC Germany.

Drawing on nearly two decades of experience advising ultra-high-net-worth and enterprising families — including time inside a single family office — Stephan shares a practical perspective on how family offices have evolved beyond investment management.

The conversation explores why complexity, not just wealth, drives the need for a family office, common governance mistakes even sophisticated families still make, and how families can think more clearly about reporting, operational risk, and next-generation readiness.
Throughout the discussion, Stephan emphasizes the importance of intentional governance, transparency, and education as families work to build resilience and continuity across generations.

Key Takeaways
Family offices have evolved far beyond investment management.
Complexity — not just wealth — determines when a family office is needed.
Governance remains one of the most common points of failure, even for sophisticated families.
Delaying governance often creates avoidable conflict later on.
Reporting expectations are shifting toward greater transparency and better use of technology.
Operational and cybersecurity risks are frequently underestimated.
People and decision-making dynamics are often the biggest sources of risk.
Diversity of thought strengthens governance and oversight.
Preparing the next generation requires practical education, not theory.
Long-term success depends on clarity, structure, and intentional planning.