Generations Conference 2022 – an independent forum for family offices
Matthias Schulthess moderated the panel on Governance of Impact Investments
2022 has been a roller-coaster ride so far and was certainly not how we had imagined our awakening from the pandemic. We have suffered two major shocks within just two years, and investors are again reminded how risky “risky assets” really are. As investors, we are not afraid of risks because they are inseparable from returns. Wealth is ultimately created by taking risks, and as Ben Graham taught us almost 90 years ago, that “the essence of investment management is the management of risk, not the management of returns”. However, we also understand that the multi-generational success of families not solely relies on sound investment and risk management. Therefore, this year’s agenda ranges again from topics such as family governance and succession planning to organizational aspects of running a family office to eventually, the strategic and tactical considerations that drive investment decisions.
What could be a better start than to learn from a 6th generation representative of the Swiss industrial family that became world-famous for manufacturing sewing and silk threads in the 19th and 20th centuries. With Prof. Dr. Monica Zwicky we explore her families windy road of growth and transformation. The learning continues with Prof. Lauren H. Cohen of the Harvard Business School, where he teaches Family Office Wealth Management amongst other courses. He will guide conference participants through a case of an European family and their challenge of passing the family business to the next generation. Experienced family office executives will share the best governance practices of a family office that focuses on impact investments. Further, we will discuss new investment trends and opportunities in healthcare and energy transition, successful bond strategies in an inflationary environment and credit selection over the business cycle.
The Family Office CIO Panel is a popular highlight of past events, and also this year, senior economists and investors will share their views on investment strategies and positioning with the audience before the formal part of the conference ends on another high note. With the help of two protagonists on both sides of a transaction, we will gain insights into why and how entrepreneur families invest in entrepreneurs.
