Key insights from the Global Family Office Compensation Benchmark Report 2025 reveal how the United Kingdom continues to stand strong as a powerhouse in the Family Office landscape.

The United Kingdom (UK) remains one of the world’s most mature Family Office markets. Our Global Family Office Compensation Benchmark Report 2025, created in collaboration with KPMG Private Enterprise, shows a market that is highly developed, internationally connected, and professionally run.

A Market of Heritage and Legacy

One of the defining features of the UK Family Office landscape is its maturity. Nearly two-thirds of the respondents have operated for more than ten years, and the majority oversee multi-generational wealth. 35% manage two generations, while a further 31% oversee three.

When asked about their purpose, UK Family Offices most frequently cited the administration of family assets (72%) and the preservation of wealth (69%). This demonstrates a market driven by safeguarding capital, maintaining continuity, and ensuring established structures are equipped to outlive their founders. It also contrasts with other regions where wealth creation is a more dominant focus.

Professionalisation with Family Presence

Leadership data shows that UK Family Offices have embraced external professional management, while still maintaining meaningful family involvement. Although many global markets now operate with fully external CEOs, 15% of UK CEOs remain family members. This suggests that British families retain a direct role in strategic decision-making, blending personal legacy with professional oversight.

Workforce demographics highlight another area of interest. 71% of employees are male, while 26% are female, with the remainder undisclosed. Although this imbalance is not unique to the UK, it is a reminder that diversity, critical for a sustainable talent pipeline, remains a challenge in a sector representing increasingly global capital.

More than half of UK Family Offices fall between £251 million and £1 billion in AUM. This reflects a market made up of well-funded, structurally established organisations rather than emerging ones. Such scale shapes operational expectations across reporting, staffing, investment sophistication, and compensation design. UK Family Offices operate with the same scrutiny and professionalism seen in institutional investment groups.

London: The Centre of Gravity

80% of UK Family Offices are headquartered in London, reaffirming the city’s status as a global centre of financial and investment expertise. Yet the UK’s perspective is far from domestic. Over 40% operate more than one location, with secondary offices most commonly based in Europe (61%), followed by the Middle East (29%). This underlines how UK family wealth is globally positioned and increasingly active across jurisdictions.

Compensation: Performance-Driven with Strong Benchmarks

Compensation in the UK reflects the markets and professional standards.

UK Family Office CEOs most commonly earn:

  • £198,001 – £264,000
  • Chief Investment Officers command even higher packages:
  • £198,001 – £330,000

Notably, UK CIOs also receive significant bonuses, with many averaging 91–100% of base salary. This reinforces a strong performance-led culture at senior levels.

Long-Term Incentive Plans are becoming more common, though still limited. Only 20% of surveyed professionals receive LTIPs, and half of these receive carried interest. While long-term alignment structures are increasing, the UK still leans toward annual or short-term mechanisms. In a competitive international talent market, this may present a future risk for retaining rising leaders.

A Critical Vulnerability: Succession Preparedness

One of the most concerning findings is the limited focus on succession planning. Only 30% of UK Family Offices have a formal plan in place, despite most being responsible for multi-generational wealth. This represents a significant strategic vulnerability for a market transitioning into second- and third-generation stewardship.

As the next wave of generational wealth transfer accelerates, clear succession frameworks will be essential to maintaining governance standards, investment continuity, and long-term organisational stability.

A Market Balancing Tradition and Transition

The UK Family Office sector is defined by heritage, professionalism, and global reach. However, the coming decade will require renewed focus on modern governance, progression frameworks, and competitive compensation structures, particularly as European and Middle Eastern markets attract global-calibre talent with compelling incentives.

At Agreus, we support Family Offices in navigating these complexities, from executive recruitment to advising on compensation and governance structures. The UK market is strong and deeply established, but the next phase of growth will demand new thinking, modern frameworks, and the willingness to challenge traditional assumptions.

For deeper insights into these findings, download or request the full Global Family Office Compensation Benchmark Report 2025 from our website.