Family office leaders and wealthy families from around the world will gather in Bermuda this week for a private retreat exploring issues affecting the management and transfer of wealth across generations.

The inaugural Family Office Retreat Bermuda, organised by Prestel and Partner, and sponsored by law firm Appleby, takes place at The Loren on October 16 and 17.

The invitation-only event will bring together a small group of single-family office decision makers, family members and selected advisers for discussions and an exchange of ideas in an informal setting.

A single-family office manages the financial affairs and other interests of one wealthy family, with responsibilities that can include investments, estate planning and governance.

The Bermuda gathering follows the organiser’s Family Office Forum New York, taking place at the Harvard Club on October 13 and 14, where discussions will cover governance, investment strategy and succession planning.

Appleby is sponsoring the Bermuda retreat. Two partners from the firm’s Bermuda office, Claire van Overdijk KC and Lalita Vaswani, will attend both events.

Ms van Overdijk, head of Appleby’s Private Client and Trusts practice in Bermuda and a partner in its Dispute Resolution department, will lead a discussion entitled “Plan for the best and prepare for the worst: hedging your risk when living across borders”.

The session will examine wealth structuring and estate planning considerations for families whose assets and personal affairs span several countries.

“As families increasingly manage assets, interests and relationships across multiple jurisdictions, thoughtful planning has never been more important,” Ms van Overdijk said.

“Bermuda continues to be a jurisdiction of choice for international families, supported by a sophisticated legal framework, well-established trust law and deep professional expertise.”

Her practice includes domestic and offshore wealth structuring, estate planning, trust administration and disputes involving trusts and estates across jurisdictions.

Ms Vaswani, a partner in Appleby’s Corporate practice, works with the firm’s Private Client and Trusts team. She advises international clients on company structures, restructuring, governance, transactions and cross-border investments.

Ms van Overdijk said the two gatherings offered opportunities to discuss the challenges facing private wealth families.

“Together, these events provide valuable opportunities to connect with family office leaders, families and trusted advisers from around the world, and to exchange perspectives on the issues shaping private wealth today,” she said.

Prestel and Partner, now in its fifteenth year, organises family office forums and retreats across international wealth centres. The October gathering marks the first time its family office retreat has been held in Bermuda.