FAMILIES, FAMILY OFFICES & THEIR BUSINESSES

FAMILIES CAN PRESENT THE MOST PRECIOUS AND CHALLENGING MOMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER. WE PROTECT WHAT MATTERS AND ENABLE WHAT COMES NEXT. OUR FOCUS IS TO PROTECT OUR CLIENT’S INTERESTS WHILST MANAGING THEIR RISK IN A PERSONABLE, COST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MANNER. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE NEEDS OF EACH FAMILY, THEIR BUSINESSES AND EACH FAMILY OFFICE ARE UNIQUE. OUR SERVICES, SKILLS AND CARE ARE TAILORED TO MEET THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF EACH SITUATION, FAMILY, BUSINESS AND FAMILY OFFICE.

FAMILIES, FAMILY OFFICES & THEIR BUSINESSES overview

We support families, their businesses and family offices to build environments where the risk is low and their integrity, inclusion, innovation and purpose thrive. Families who lead businesses carry more than responsibility; they carry legacy, relationships, and reputation. We partner with families, family offices, and their enterprises to navigate the complex intersection of people, power, and performance, with discretion, integrity and insight.

From cultural transformation and reputation management to legal risk and governance practices, we provide the frameworks, tools, and support needed to build stronger, more resilient family enterprises, fit for the present and the future. 

 

We provide tailored HR support for family offices, family-owned businesses, and private households, designed to meet their needs at every level, whether they require fractional leadership, consulting expertise, or a fully outsourced HR function. Our service blends professionalism with discretion, offering trusted people support that respects the sensitivities and values unique to family-led enterprises.

We work with multigenerational family businesses navigating growth, succession, or transition, family offices looking to strengthen their people practices, governance or risk approach, founders, principals and next-gen leaders stepping into more public, visible, or complex roles and advisors and intermediaries who need trusted partners in people, legal or culture support.

See below the support we include:

Culture & Values Alignment

In a family business, culture is not just a HR concept, it is personal. We help clarify, align, and activate shared values across generations and business lines, supporting unity, succession, and long-term impact.

  • Culture diagnostics and behavioural mapping
  • Founder legacy and next-gen narrative design
  • Generational alignment and succession readiness
  • Values definition and activation workshops

Reputation & Risk Management

For families and individuals, reputation is one of the most valuable assets. We help families and their businesses manage sensitive issues, navigate complex dynamics, and protect what matters in times of change or challenge.

  • Issues management involving employees, stakeholders, or media
  • Communication support in high-stakes situations
  • Confidential risk advisory and reputational protection
  • Dispute resolution, navigating conflict and mediation (family, board, team)

Legal & Governance Advisory

We offer discreet, practical legal guidance tailored to the unique structure and needs of family offices and private enterprises. Our support combines legal precision with emotional intelligence.

  • Contracts, policies and precedent packs for family-owned businesses
  • Employment and HR legal advisory
  • Governance frameworks and board advisory
  • Regulatory risk and compliance strategy

HR Advisory, Strategy & Support

  • Change management and restructure guidance
  • Complex case management (performance, grievances, disputes)
  • Day-to-day HR advice for leaders, family members, and staff
  • Discreet support around family dynamics in the workplace
  • Employee relations in sensitive or high-trust environments
  • End to end recruitment and onboarding support, including role design and job descriptions, hiring strategy and process, candidate vetting and screening
  • Full employee lifecycle management (hire to exit)
  • Fully outsourced HR support and services
  • HR policies and handbooks tailored to private enterprise
  • HR support and people strategy aligned to family or business goals
  • International or remote employment advice
  • Manager coaching and employee support
  • Talent planning and succession support
  • Wellbeing policies and practical support
  • Workforce planning and organisational design

Training, Coaching & Capacity Building

Strong family offices are built on shared understanding and capability. We design and deliver training that equips family members, leaders, and employees to navigate complexity with confidence.

  • Employee relations, culture, DEEI, legal risk and compliance training for internal teams
  • Governance and board education (family and independent directors)
  • Leadership coaching (founders, successors, execs)
  • Training on conflict resolution, feedback, trust and influence

Advisory You Can Trust. Support That Understands.
Families, their businesses, and their offices face unique, deeply personal challenges. Our advisory services offer discreet, values-led support to help navigate complexity, whether it is governance, succession, or aligning across generations. We listen closely, think long-term, and act with care.

Contact HOWLETT BROWN