Episode 26

Human Capital: The Real Asset in Family Offices

Purpose of Wealth Podcast

About the episode

In this episode of the Purpose of Wealth, we dive into the critical asset that keeps the world of intergenerational wealth management running – human capital.

Family offices are unique, idiosyncratic organisations competing with private equity and venture capital in the war for top talent. So how do you find, attract, and retain the trusted advisors with the right skills and capabilities for the long term?

Host Narelle Hooper chats with Brian Adams, President of Mack International, and Damian Bowden, Mutual Trust’s Head of People, Culture, Marketing & Communications, about how families can set themselves up for success in the specialised art of family office recruitment.

Featuring

Narelle Hooper - Host

During more than 25 years as a business and finance journalist and editor Narelle has worked for Australia’s leading media groups including the ABC, Fairfax Media and SBS TV. She’s a former Editor of the Australian Financial Review’s BOSS Magazine and was founding co-chair of the Financial Review’s Women of Influence Awards.

Narelle is also a member of the board of the The Ethics Centre. She has held a number of non executive director roles over the past decade, including with the Tasmanian Development Board, the Documentary Australia Foundation and with women's entrepreneurship accelerator SBE Australia, which runs the Springboard Enterprises program.

Brian Adams - Guest

Brian C. Adams is a Partner at Mack International, specializing in C-suite executive search and human capital consulting for family offices and enterprises. He currently serves on the board of Sirrom Partners LP, a single-family office, and is the host of the Mack Podcast, which provides expert insights for family office professionals. In addition, Brian is the Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of Fortaleza, a global network of family office professionals committed to service and generational leadership, and the Co-Founder of Somos22, which connects single-family offices through curated events. He has held leadership roles in YPO and has previously been involved with the Institute of Private Investors and the Southeastern Family Office Forum. Alongside his family office expertise, Brian Co-Founded two real estate private equity firms and was a former practicing attorney.

Damian Bowden - Guest

Damian leads Mutual Trust’s People, Culture, Marketing & Communications team. He has over 20 years’ experience leading multi-disciplinary human resources functions in complex business environments.

What matters most to Damian at Mutual Trust is twofold. Firstly, creating a culture which enables people to be their best, meaning Mutual Trust has the policies, frameworks and processes to attract, engage and grow staff. Secondly, leading the implementation of sophisticated integrated marketing functions to support clients and promote the growth of Mutual Trust to be the leading Multi-Family Office.

Prior to joining Mutual Trust in 2017, Damian held roles with Zurich Financial Investment Management Ltd and Suncorp Group Pty Ltd.

Damian holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Double Major in Industrial Relations and Human Resources from Griffith University.

Outside of Mutual Trust, Damian leads an active lifestyle and enjoys spending down-time with his family on amazing holidays and completing long trail runs in the Otway region.