Dubai emerges as primary base for global family offices ahead of 2026 summit

Dubai is increasingly being selected as a primary base for international family offices, underlining the emirate’s growing stature as a global hub for long-term private wealth, succession planning, and cross-border investment.

Policy enhancements, regulatory clarity and recent initiatives within the Dubai International Financial Centre are accelerating this shift, as families prioritise capital preservation and governance over short-term returns.

Against this backdrop, the Family Office Summit Dubai will take place on February 11, 2026, bringing family offices and family holding companies together for discussions focused on the practical challenges facing global wealth today.

The summit has been deliberately scheduled a week before Ramadan, while calendars remain flexible and senior decision-makers are still in the region.

Family Office Summit Dubai 2026

Over the past six months, the summit has attracted strong interest from leading global institutions including Columbia Threadneedle, Allianz Global Investors, Select Equity, and several other major US and European financial firms.

Many are increasingly focused on identifying private pools of capital in the region as an alternative to competing for institutional allocations at Mubadala or ADIA.

Previous editions of the summit have drawn prominent family principals and senior executives, including Hussain Dawood, alongside C-suite leadership from regional conglomerates such as Gargash Group, Al-Futtaim, and Al Masaood.

International participation continues to expand. From the United States, the 2024 summit hosted a member of the Guggenheim family, who has since established Guggenheim Brothers Media in Abu Dhabi, announced at Abu Dhabi Finance Week.

European participation has also grown, with speakers including PG3 Family Office, following earlier involvement from families behind the René Caovilla and Nestlé dynasties.

Obediah Ayton, Chairman of the Family Office Summit, said: “Dubai is no longer regarded as a secondary base; it is rapidly becoming the primary hub for families managing global wealth. Our summit is intentionally differentiated. We focus on creating an organic and highly relevant experience that delivers real value.

“Our objective is to build a lasting community, not simply host another event. While the region now hosts many family office conferences, our commitment is to remain ahead of the curve through continuous innovation and by setting the next industry benchmark.”

The 2026 edition will address key themes shaping family wealth, including Asia and Hong Kong as strategic gateways, the renewed role of hedge funds and equities, private equity capital flows, passion assets such as art and collectibles, and the separation of family business from family wealth.

The summit has also become a catalyst for tangible transactions. Hillroute Capital recently secured a limited partner investment from a UAE-based family office following introductions at the summit, while VAR Capital has entered a long-term partnership with wealth-technology platform Masttro.

Several additional transactions have yet to be announced publicly.

As Dubai continues to consolidate its position as a global destination for private capital, the Family Office Summit Dubai provides a timely platform for families entering the region to connect with peers, advisers, and institutional partners shaping the future of global wealth management.