Private equity is a hot topic for European family offices, with 57 per cent considering increasing their exposure to private equity this year, according to research by LPEQ, the group of European listed private equity companies.
The study of 50 family offices across Europe shows they are looking to access private equity through a wide range of strategies and investment vehicles.
Nearly all of the family offices that took part in the study, which was carried out by Scorpio Partnership, regard private equity as a key asset class for families, reflecting the fact that the majority of families have accumulated their wealth through business or entrepreneurial ventures.
Allocation made to private equity differs between the different types of family office. Multiple family offices and private bank family offices are more likely to have a modest allocation to private equity. This reflects their more conservative, institutional approach to asset management.
Single family offices often have far higher allocations to private equity, with over 60 per cent allocating over 15 per cent of their portfolio to private equity. Because they represent only one family, their risk tolerance is often higher and their portfolios are often more idiosyncratic.
Andrea Lowe, executive director of LPEQ, says: “The private equity story will remain a compelling one as families look to buy into the real economy and get away from products.”
