History is made as prestigious investors gather to discuss future of family offices
Representing more than US$4.5 trillion, leading family offices and private investors convened in Dubai to share their insights on creating a better world through thought leadership, family governance, technology and philanthropy.
Uniting influential figures from across the globe, Sir Anthony Ritossa hosted the 12th Global Family Office Investment Summit under the High Patronage of H H Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum and Grand Ambassador Mohamed Al Ali at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah.
The inspiring event made history with strategic partner H H Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al Qassimi for Dubai’s first ever VIP Israeli investor delegation following the Israel–UAE peace agreement.
"I am honoured that our 12th Global Family Office Investment Summit has made history tonight by welcoming Dubai’s first Israeli investment delegation," Sir Anthony said. "Great minds open the doors to new businesses and I am honoured to have hosted such prestigious similar-minded thought leaders.
"While we were delighted to establish new friendships with our Israeli delegation, it was a pleasure to welcome old friends back to Dubai for my seventh exclusive event in the UAE."
In addition to Israel–UAE strategic partnerships, the first significant family office gathering in the Middle East post-COVID-19 lockdown saw guests including Israeli delegate Ayoob Kara discuss this year’s theme – Family Offices Investing for a Brighter Future – while adhering to safe COVID-19 measures.
More than 600 family offices, ultra-high-net-worth individuals and royals attended one of the most prestigious events on Dubai’s calendar this year. Among the esteemed delegates were Teddy Sagi; Adnan Al Noorani; Hussein Sayed, CFA; Tatiana Koffman; Yagub Yousef Alserkal; H R H Prince Michel de Yougoslavie; Ruchi Dana, MD, MBA; Peter Jacques de Windt; Hend Faisal AlQassemi; Emanuela Al Khalifa; Abhishek Sharma; Tom Morf; Sandip Bhatt; Jimmy Nguyen; Michael Flight; Alex Minicucci; and Jacques Voorhees.
"Great minds open the doors to new businesses and I am honoured to have hosted such prestigious similar-minded thought leaders." – Sir Anthony Ritossa
Acting as the bridge between the Middle Eastern family offices and their European, US, Asian and Latin American peers, the summit enables leading private investors to network and share ideas around how family offices should invest for a brighter future, how to grow and preserve wealth, and global concerns related to the US presidential election.
From discussing fintech, technology, AI, bitcoin, biotech to food safety, real estate and infrastructure, the event saw many projects receive funding alongside newly signed partnerships and co-investments.
Learning from entrepreneurship, embracing a humble attitude, the importance of making sacrifices – especially during times of unrest – and the future of finance were some of the thought-provoking topics explored during the two-and-a-half-day conference.
Almost the entire year has been dictated by the pandemic, leaving the global business minds to explore the opportunities of overcoming business challenges while embracing fast-evolving sectors thriving in the current economy.
"Our world, post-pandemic, is rapidly changing," Sir Anthony said. "By living in the present and adapting to our new reality, we come together to share the best thought leadership on preserving our human capital and planet for our future generations."
As one of the most highly anticipated events this year, one of the fundamental takeaways from the prestigious summit was simple: no matter if you are an entrepreneur or a family office Chair, if business is conducted with intention, integrity and passion, that’s the key to longstanding success.
Hosted by the Ritossa Family Office, which is a 600-year-old family business dating back to the time of the Venetian Empire in Europe, the series travels globally to Dubai, Monaco, Riyadh and Miami.