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CASE STUDY 01

Multi-Generational Family Structuring
(CHF 75m)

8T Case 1.2.png

The Solution

  1. DIFC Foundation as apex governance vehicle with family council and independent member.
     

  2. Discretionary Sub-trusts per branch with waterfalls, letters of wishes, and protector oversight.
     

  3. Multi-jurisdiction holdings: UAE SPVs for regional assets; Swiss/UK SPVs for equity; dedicated IP SPV.
     

  4. Capital Classes (A — Control; B — Economic; C — Performance-linked) with veto mechanics.
     

  5. IPS codified: risk buckets, rebalancing bands, drawdown pacing.
     

  6. Quarterly governance cadence: NAV reviews, stress tests, liquidity ladder, secure data room.
     

  7. Regulatory & tax hygiene completed: ESR, CRS/FATCA, KYC refresh, Swiss/UK tax certificates.

Objectives

  • Preserve and organize ~CHF 75m across three generations (residencies: Switzerland, UAE, United Kingdom).
     

  • Reduce structural inefficiencies while maintaining control, distributions, and mobility.
     

  • Segment assets (liquidity, endowment, entrepreneurial) with codified rebalancing and spending rules.
     

  • Frame confidentiality for operating holdings and sensitive IP, and manage creditor risk in accordance with applicable law.
     

  • Institutionalize governance and evidence bankability (KYC/AML, UBO, CRS/FATCA).

Solutions

  1. DIFC foundation as the apex governance vehicle, with a family council and an independent member.
     

  2. Branch-level discretionary sub-trusts with distribution waterfalls, letters of wishes, and protector oversight.
     

  3. Multi-jurisdictional holding stack: UAE SPVs for regional assets; CH/UK SPVs for securities; a dedicated IP SPV (substance & transfer pricing).
     

  4. Capital classes (A — Control; B — Economic; C — Performance) with reserved veto rights.
     

  5. Codified IPS: Risk buckets, rebalancing bands, drawdown cadence.
     

  6. Quarterly governance cadence: NAV reviews, stress testing, liquidity ladder, secure data room.
     

  7. Regulatory/Tax hygiene: ESR (where applicable), CRS/FATCA, KYC refresh, CH/UK tax certificates.
     

  8. Execution coordinated end-to-end with duly licensed financial, legal, and corporate partners.

Outcomes

  • Full deployment in 16 weeks; Tier-1 bank onboarding (UAE/CH) without material remediation (acceptance at counterparties’ discretion).
     

  • Structural inefficiencies reduced by ~30–35% (post-implementation / pro forma) while preserving founder control.
     

  • Family charter ratified; DIFC arbitration mechanism established.
     

  • IPS adherence ~95% over 12 months; liquidity runway extended to ~18 months.

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