Summer Signals: Six questions with Fairway’s team on the trends shaping client conversations

Welcome to Summer Signals, our new Q&A series exploring the trends and client conversations shaping the months ahead.

Across the series, we’ll be asking people from across Fairway the same six questions to uncover what they’re seeing in the market, where clients are facing challenges, and what advisers should be thinking about.

In this article, Mark Andrews, Private Client Managing Director, shares his perspective on the growing demand for international wealth planning, the challenges facing globally connected families and the importance of building structures that remain effective across generations and jurisdictions.

What’s one thing you’re seeing more of from clients or advisers at the moment

One trend we are seeing much more frequently is the need for international mobility and cross-border wealth planning. Clients are increasingly relocating, holding assets in multiple jurisdictions, or involving family members who live and work in different parts of the world. As a result, advisers are looking for structures that can support succession planning, family governance and long-term wealth preservation on a cross-border basis.

What’s driving that trend?

There are several factors behind it. Increased regulatory transparency, changes to tax regimes and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty are all prompting clients to reassess their arrangements. At the same time, families are becoming more internationally connected, which means structures that worked well historically may no longer be suitable when multiple jurisdictions and generations are involved.

What challenges does it create for clients

The biggest challenge is managing complexity. Clients often need to consider tax, legal, regulatory and family matters simultaneously, sometimes across several countries. Without proactive planning and coordinated advice, there's a risk of creating structures that are inefficient, difficult to manage or no longer aligned with the family's long-term objectives.

How should clients or advisers be thinking about it?

The focus should be on long-term outcomes rather than short-term solutions. The most effective structures are those that align with a family's commercial interests, personal circumstances and succession goals, while also providing robust governance and flexibility for future generations. Increasingly, that requires close collaboration between advisers in different jurisdictions.

What’s one mistake or misconception you often see in this area?

A common misconception is that wealth structuring is primarily about tax. While tax remains an important consideration, today's most successful structures are driven by governance, asset protection, succession planning and family objectives. Another mistake is assuming that arrangements established many years ago will automatically remain fit for purpose as circumstances, regulations and family needs evolve.

How can Fairway help?

At Fairway, we take a holistic approach. As an independent fiduciary business, we work closely with clients and their advisers to understand the wider picture and design structures that are practical, well-governed and built for the long term. Our experience across trusts, companies, foundations and family office arrangements allows us to support clients navigating increasingly complex international circumstances while keeping the focus on what matters most to them and their families.