Against a backdrop of tariff turmoil and geopolitical uncertainty, Deutsche Bank Wealth Management's second annual Emerging Markets Family Office Forum offered a platform for dialogue, insight and cross-border connection.
Over two days, more than 150 UHNW guests from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe gathered at the Rosewood Hotel in Hong Kong to discuss long-term capital strategies, succession planning and values-driven wealth. This year's theme reflected a shift from wealth preservation to building a purposeful legacy across generations and geographies.
Discussion focused on how family offices can navigate today's volatility while preparing for the future. Key topics included long-term capital preservation and growth; transition planning for family businesses; private markets and structured credit; environmental stewardship and legacy-building; and passion investing, including philanthropy, art, and sport.
The Forum also served as a platform for family offices to engage with Deutsche Bank's leadership, experts, and peers to exchange views across markets and generations.
Marco Pagliara, Deutsche Bank's Head of Emerging Markets, Private Bank, and the Forum's host observed:
“As families seek to navigate a changing world, this year’s Emerging Markets Family Office Forum comes at a perfect time."
Live-poll takeaways: economic and geopolitical expectations
In a live poll taken during the Forum,
- 61% of attendees described the current global economic situation as weak, with 71% expecting geopolitical risks to rise in the year ahead.
- Just over half (51%) anticipated a US recession, compared to 33% who did not.
- Despite the cautionary views, optimism about Asia was strong: 85% of participant expected the region to deliver the highest GDP growth globally over the next decade, outpacing the US and Europe.
Long Term Capital Panel featuring the following speakers from left to right: Jean Salata (EQT Asia), Ming Lu (KKR), Ganen Sarvananthan (TPG Capital) and Frederick Fong (Deutsche Bank Private Bank)
Ness Wadia, Member of the Wadia Group and Co-owner, Punjab Kings
Usama Barwani, Director, OceanCo Yachts
Shaline Gnanalingam, Director, Westports Malaysia
Notable voices and perspectives
The Forum featured perspectives from influential voices across business, investment and philanthropy. Each brought unique insight into how families are allocating capital and redefining their role in global markets and local communities.
- Usama Barwani, Director, OceanCo Yachts
- Bernard Chan, Chairman & President of Asia Financial Holdings Ltd., Chairman of Asia Insurance Co. Ltd.
- Mark Dalio, Founder and Co-CEO of OceanX
- Shaline Gnanalingam, Director, Westports Malaysia
- Ming Lu, Senior Advisory Partner, KKR
- Mohamed Nabil Hayel Saeed Anam, Senior strategic advisor to the Managing Director, HSA Group
- Jean Salata, Chairperson, EQT Asia and Head of Private Capital Asia
- Ganen Sarvananthan, Managing Partner & Co-Head of Asia, TPG Capital
- Ness Wadia, Member of the Wadia Group and Co-owner, Punjab Kings
Alexander von zur Muehlen, Deutsche Bank's CEO for Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa and Germany
Mr Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Dr Daisy Wang, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum
Bernard Chan, Chairman & President of Asia Financial Holdings Ltd and Chairman of Asia Insurance Co. Ltd., in conversation with Salman Mahdi, Vice Chairman of Deutsche Bank's Private Bank
Spotlight on Hong Kong
As the host city for the Forum, Hong Kong served as a both a strategic backdrop and source of inspiration for discussion on capital, legacy and identity.
In his opening remarks, Alexander von zur Muehlen, Deutsche Bank's CEO for Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa and Germany, noted: “Key global financial centres like Hong Kong that keep investment flows open and moving are vital for continued stability and growth worldwide.”
This message was echoed in the keynote address by Mr Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, who emphasised Hong Kong's pivotal role in global finance: "Hong Kong is one of the great financial centers of the world and serves an an important gateway to China."
Forum guests experienced Hong Kong's cultural richness during the evening at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which included a Welcome Dinner and private tour of treasures from the Forbidden City and Versailles. Dr Daisy Wang, Deputy Director of the Museum, offered reflections on the Museum's mission and impact, sharing some interesting stories from working at this world-class cultural landmark.
This was followed by a fireside chat, "Past and Future: a dialogue on art and culture," featuring Bernard Chan, Chairman & President of Asia Financial Holdings Ltd., Chairman of Asia Insurance Co. Ltd., in conversation with Salman Mahdi, Vice Chairman of Deutsche Bank's Private Bank. The discussion explored how institutions shape legacy through culture and storytelling.
"We increasingly see Family Offices in Asia diversify risk, both in portfolios and where they hold assets… Deutsche Bank’s institutional risk management, especially in foreign currencies and structured credit, is in high demand from sophisticated investors.”
Marco Pagliara
Deutsche Bank, Private Bank, Head of Emerging Markets
A Forum for the future
The Emerging Markets Family Office Forum is part of Deutsche Bank Wealth Management's ongoing commitment to providing family offices with opportunities to build cross-border relationships, access new ideas, and align wealth strategies with purpose. As families around the world confront uncertainty ─ from tariffs and inflation to climate and succession ─ the Forum reaffirmed the importance of trusted dialogue, institutional-grade solutions and long-term partnership.
