GPFO (Global Partnership Family Offices), the private membership association for family offices, today announced the appointment of new members to its Advisory Board. This strategic move strengthens the board's expertise and geographical representation, aligning with GPFO's expanding global community.
Operating since 2009, GPFO has established itself as a champion for family offices, with a membership spanning over 20 jurisdictions. The organization brings together principals, family members, executives, and appointed advisors from both single family offices and private multi-family offices.
The expansion of the Advisory Board comes at a crucial juncture in GPFO's growth trajectory. Joining the Advisory Board are Nainish Bapna, Mike Gill & Simon Minder who will work alongside existing members; Ausaf Abbas, Simon Tandy, August von Joest, Elizabeth Priestman and Advisory Board Chair, Dr. Michael J. Oliver. As the GPFO continues to penetrate new markets and enhance its offering of unique insights, resources, and tools to members ,the diverse expertise of the expanded board will be instrumental in guiding these initiatives.
Dr. Michael J. Oliver, Co-Founder of GPFO, commented on the appointments: "We are thrilled to welcome our new Advisory Board members. Their collective experience and diverse geographical backgrounds will be invaluable as we continue to evolve and meet the needs of our growing global community. This expansion reflects our commitment to champion the interests of our members and provide unique insights, resources and tools to family offices globally."
The new advisory board members bring a wealth of experience from the family office industry and deep roots in numerous jurisdictions, including the Middle East, Asia Pacific & North America. Their addition to the Advisory Board will enable GPFO to offer more targeted, regionally-specific insights and strengthen its position as a global leader in the family office space.
About the Advisory Board:
- Nainish Bapna is a seasoned advisor to international family offices, specializing in portfolio allocation, investment strategies, and direct deals. Mr. Bapna's expertise is grounded in over a decade of experience as the Chief Investment Officer of a London-based single family office. In this role, he demonstrated proficiency in global investments across multiple asset classes, including direct investments, special situation opportunities, private equity funds, structured debt, and real estate developments in the US, UK, and UAE. His comprehensive understanding of diverse investment vehicles makes him a valued consultant in the family office sphere.
- Mike Gill is a prominent figure in the Family Office community and Principal of the Gill Family Office based in Mayfair, London. Mr. Gill oversees family assets exceeding £1.8 Billion, managing a global portfolio that includes numerous operating businesses. He is recognized for his expertise in MedTech, BioTech, and FinTech sectors. As Co-Founder of Serreus Global Technology, Mr. Gill continues to demonstrate his acumen in identifying and developing innovative investment opportunities for his family office.
- Simon Minder is a seasoned independent family office advisor with over 20 years of experience in the sector. He currently serves on the investment committees of seven distinct family offices, providing strategic guidance and expertise. Additionally, Mr. Minder represents families as a dedicated member of the board of directors for their investments. He specializes in the establishment and optimization of virtual or single-family offices, with a particular emphasis on implementing efficient software solutions. His deep understanding of family office structures and technologies has made him a valued consultant for both new and established family offices across Europe. Based in Switzerland, he is fluent in both English and German, enabling him to effectively serve an international clientele in the family office industry.
- Simon Tandy is a veteran wealth manager with 35years of experience in the family office sector. He currently leads a prominent family office in Dubai, leveraging his global expertise to navigate complex investment landscapes. Mr. Tandy's career includes significant roles in major financial centers, including London, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He previously served as CIO for a substantial family office in Bahrain, where he maintains an advisory board position. In 2014, Mr. Tandy established a new family office in Dubai, demonstrating his proficiency in creating bespoke wealth management structures. He is renowned for his skill in identifying unique global investment opportunities, particularly in private markets, making him a respected figure in the family office community.
- Elizabeth Priestman is the CEO of International Deal Gateway. With a focus on M&A, investment, and education, Ms. Priestman has developed a unique expertise in working with family offices and private investors with emerging opportunities in healthcare, biotech, resources, breakthrough technologies, renewable energy, and impact investing. Her entrepreneurial leadership has been instrumental in building scalable, high-growth organizations. Ms. Priestman is a 10-year alumni mentor with the Hall of Legends Program where she was honoured as Mentor of the Year by the Schulich School of Business in 2021. She holds an Executive MBA, is a past member of the Young Entrepreneurs’ Organization, and serves as an advisor and mentor to early stage entrepreneurs.
- Ausaf Abbas is the Founder of Coombe Advisors, a firm providing strategic, commercial, and financial advice to a network of clients and single family offices. With a focus on private capital and emerging growth companies, Mr. Abbas brings 25 years of experience from senior roles at Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley in investment banking and wealth management. His international expertise includes 13 years based in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo. Mr. Abbas serves as a Non-Executive Director at Multrees Investor Services, a Senior Advisor to various financial service and real estate firms, and holds directorships in two charitable organizations, further enriching his contribution to the family office sector.
- August von Joest is a distinguished figure in the family office sector, bringing extensive experience from finance, industry, and private equity. Mr. von Joest currently manages his own private office, overseeing a diverse investment portfolio. His 14-year tenure as a Senior Partner at a leading German private equity firm, where he was instrumental in raising and investing over €1.5 billion, provides him with valuable insights for ultra-high-net-worth families. Mr. von Joest serves as an advisor to various institutions in Europe and the Middle East, focusing on the international financials and industrials sectors. His comprehensive background in corporate finance and multiple industries makes him an invaluable resource for his peers in the family offices ecosystem.
FAQs
Q: What do the GPFO Advisory Board do?
A: Our direction and focus are guided by the Advisory Board, it has kept us ahead for 15 years.
Q: When was the original GPFO Advisory Board established?
A: The founding advisory board was established in the early days of GPFO in 2009. Read more about our history.
Q: What does it mean to be champions of the family office?
A: Being champions of the family office means advocating for family offices and serving as a resource for our members. By doing so, we are better positioned to help our members achieve their goals and navigate the complex landscape of family office management.
