Geopolitical shockwaves and safeguarding private wealth: key insights from a multi-jurisdictional panel

Hourani recently hosted the second in its Private Wealth breakfast series examining the impact of geopolitical uncertainty on private wealth planning. The panel brought together experts from the UAE, United Kingdom, United States, Switzerland, Belgium, and Russia to discuss how global developments are reshaping migration, structuring, and succession strategies for internationally mobile families.

The session was opened by Sunita Singh-Dalal, Partner and Head of Private Wealth at Hourani, who noted the increasing pace of geopolitical and regulatory change and the growing need for coordinated, cross-border advice.

A central theme was the UAE’s continued emergence as a destination for global wealth. Rene Wessels (Investec) discussed the UAE’s increasingly familiar legal framework for common law clients, enhanced succession planning certainty for non-Muslim expatriates, and relatively accessible residency options. While many families are relocating significant wealth to the region, speakers noted that assets are often retained across multiple jurisdictions, reinforcing the importance of integrated planning.

From a US perspective, Leigh-Alexandra Basha (McDermott Will & Schulte) highlighted how political uncertainty is driving increased interest in alternative residency and citizenship options, while emphasising the complexity of US outbound planning, including expatriation rules and ongoing estate tax exposure for foreign investors.

The panel also addressed the reversal of traditional wealth corridors. Claire Weeks (Maurice Turnor Gardner) discussed recent UK tax changes prompting families to relocate away from the UK, noting the risks of accidental residence and the longer-term inheritance tax implications of short-term regimes.

Insights from Russia were shared by Maxim Alexseyev (ALRUD), who explained how relocation to the UAE has evolved into longer-term structuring and succession planning, with families increasingly establishing international holding structures and foundations.

European developments were addressed by Kinga Weiss (Walder Wyss) and Gerd Goyvaerts (Tiberghien), who outlined increasing transparency requirements in Switzerland and forthcoming capital gains tax reforms in Belgium, reflecting a broader shift towards substance-based and compliant wealth planning.

The session concluded with consensus on the importance of flexible, multi-jurisdictional structures and close collaboration between advisers. The UAE continues to present significant opportunities for families seeking stability amid ongoing geopolitical change.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all our panelists and attendees. We are already looking forward to the next event in the series.