Core Structuring

Holding Structures

We advise on the design and governance of personal and family holding structures — multi-entity architectures that separate, protect and efficiently manage assets across asset classes, jurisdictions and generations.

Holding Structure Scope

  • Multi-entity holding architecture design
  • SPV design for specific assets or investments
  • Intercompany agreement & governance framework
  • Jurisdiction selection for holding entities
  • Regulatory & beneficial ownership compliance
  • Ongoing governance & maintenance advisory
What We Deliver

Our Advisory Services

Multi-Layer Holding Architecture

We design holding structures across multiple tiers — PersonalCo or FamilyCo at the top, mid-tier holding entities by jurisdiction or asset class, and operating entities below — each layer serving a distinct purpose.

SPV Design for Asset Isolation

Special purpose vehicles for individual properties, investment positions or JV interests — ring-fencing each asset from the liabilities of others and enabling clean disposal without disrupting the wider structure.

Jurisdiction Architecture

Advisory on where to domicile each holding entity — ADGM, BVI, Cayman, Luxembourg, Guernsey, UK — based on tax treaties, substance requirements, confidentiality and the nature of the underlying assets.

Intercompany Documentation

Loan agreements, service agreements, IP licensing and management fee structures across entities — all documented with audit-trail clarity, transfer pricing alignment and regulatory compliance.

Beneficial Ownership Compliance

UBO registration, economic substance compliance, CRS/FATCA transparency requirements and beneficial ownership disclosure — mapped across all entities and jurisdictions for full regulatory clarity.

Governance & Maintenance

Board appointment advisory, annual compliance calendar, resolution management and periodic structure review — ensuring your holding structure remains legally sound and operationally clean over time.

Our Approach

Built for Real Outcomes

A holding structure is not just a legal arrangement — it is the architecture of your financial life. Done well, it separates risk from value, simplifies succession and enables efficient capital movement. Done poorly, it creates complexity without protection.

We design holding structures that are built for purpose — not for complexity. Every entity in the structure earns its place by serving a specific function.

Holding Structures We Design

  • Family investment holding companies — UAE, BVI, Cayman
  • Real estate holding structures — UK LLP, Luxembourg SCSp
  • Operating group holding architecture — ADGM, DIFC
  • Trust-owned holding companies for succession planning
  • JV and co-investment holding vehicles
  • Offshore holding with onshore substance

Common Triggers

  • Acquiring first significant asset outside home country
  • Consolidating assets currently held personally
  • Pre-IPO or pre-sale restructuring
  • New family member or generational planning need
  • Regulatory or tax environment change

Deliverables

  • Holding structure blueprint & rationale memo
  • Entity-by-entity jurisdiction rationale
  • Intercompany agreement summary
  • UBO and substance compliance map
  • Maintenance calendar by entity
ADGM
Primary UAE hub for holding structure advisory
BVI
Most common offshore holding jurisdiction we advise on
Layers
Typical holding structure: 2–4 tiers of entities
100%
Advisory-only — no registered agent or custody conflicts
Process

How We Work

01

Mandate Review

We document your assets, jurisdictions, family structure, tax residency and succession objectives.

02

Structure Blueprint

We design the optimal holding architecture with rationale for every layer and entity.

03

Compliance Mapping

We map each entity against beneficial ownership, substance and reporting obligations.

04

Implementation

We coordinate with legal, tax and registered agent teams to execute the structure.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

A holding company provides liability separation — personal assets are not directly exposed to the liabilities of business or investment activities. It can also provide tax planning flexibility, cleaner succession and privacy benefits. The right structure depends on the nature and location of your assets.
There is no standard answer — it depends on the number of asset classes, jurisdictions and people involved. A simple structure for a single individual with assets in two jurisdictions might require two to three entities. A multi-generational family with diverse international assets might require ten or more.
Many popular offshore and mid-shore jurisdictions now require economic substance for certain activities — particularly holding, investment and intellectual property. We map substance requirements across all entities in your structure and advise on how to satisfy them.

Ready to Design Your Holding Structure?

Our Private Wealth team designs holding architectures for UHNWI, family offices and multi-jurisdictional asset owners across UAE, UK and Europe.