Firmly established within the heart of the financial services industry, Lombard International Group (Lombard International) sits at the intersection of wealth management, private banking, and insurance. With more than 30 years’ experience, Lombard International is the leading European provider of insurance-based wealth, estate, and succession planning solutions for upper affluent, high-net-worth (HNW), and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals, families, and institutions. Recognised by Acquisition International magazine as the Best Wealth & Succession Planning Solutions Group 2024, we speak to their Group CEO, Stuart Parkinson to delve deeper into the company’s winning formula.
Lombard International Group operates across 10 cities, offering an internationally diversified footprint serving 20+ markets across Europe and international wealth hubs. With over 450 employees, the firm serves partners and clients with multi-jurisdictional unit-linked life insurance, also known as Wealth Assurance or Private Placement Life Insurance, exhibiting expertise, experience, and focus in their core specialty.
By collaborating with clients’ trusted advisers, such as private banks, family offices, independent wealth and financial advisers, tax lawyers, or investment managers, the team provides solutions to safeguard and invest assets sustainably, enabling them to be passed on to future generations. Their dedication lies in helping clients ensure their assets serve them not only now but also in the future.
“We build strong, collaborative partnerships with professionals from within the financial ecosystem for the long-term. We exist to make our clients’ legacies count.”
Lombard International understands their partners’ and clients’ increased focus on long-term stability and sustainability, which includes reviewing where their wealth is invested, reassessing the ‘purpose’ of their wealth, and aligning their assets with their non-financial goals and aspirations.
Stuart explains, “There is a clear shift in attitude from future-oriented HNW families who want their preferences to be reflected in their wealth plans. This involves effectively safeguarding wealth and indispensably transmitting the knowledge, values, and skills necessary for its sustained management by the next generations that follow.”
Lombard International attributes much of their success to their people. The company is widely recognised as home to some of the best talent and expertise in the market. This team of experienced subject-matter and technical experts includes over 50 different nationalities speaking over 30 different languages. This brings local knowhow to engage with clients and partners in their native tongue, with a deep understanding of regional cultures, needs, and requirements, enabling them to provide an excellent service on an international scale.
Their expertise runs deep. Over three decades within the industry means that the team has established a thorough understanding of their clients’ unique requirements, enabling them and their trusted advisers to navigate an uncertain world, dynamic financial markets, and shifting regulatory regimes.
Stuart explains, “For these clients, wealth is often accumulated over generations, or generated through creating their own businesses. Their assets carry with them a sense of responsibility, as well as the fiduciary duty to be preserved and protected for future generations. However, as the world becomes more unpredictable and uncertain, with shifting geopolitical landscapes, confidently achieving these goals can be more challenging.
“In addition, modern family dynamics and structures, such as family members being dispersed around the world, also contribute to greater financial intricacies. This is where we come in. We support our partners in developing relevant wealth planning strategies, ensuring we can provide peace of mind to their clients.”
“Our solutions offer flexibility, portability, one of the strongest policyholder protection regimes in Europe, and the ability to access a large investment universe, including private markets and alternative assets. In addition, Lombard International Assurance, our Luxembourg-based European carrier, benefits from the strength and stability of an AAA-rated country.”
Wealthy families are now placing even greater focus on multi-generational wealth transfer strategies, with the portability of wealth remaining a priority for many UHNW and HNW individuals and their families. Additionally, asset protection is a key concern for these individuals as strategies are evolving to future-proof wealth against unforeseen risks and changing regulations. But, most importantly, client and partner expectations with regard to service are increasingly demanding – they expect seamless service, swift answers, and higher levels of personalisation.
Furthermore, as business practises shift towards more automated interactions and the world becomes increasingly connected, the need for continuous digital development is more important now than ever. There is a clear opportunity for the Wealth Assurance sector to enhance its digital footprint in order to deliver even greater service and operational efficiency to its stakeholders. Digital solutions and the automation of business processes must therefore continue to transform and evolve while maintaining a client-centric servicing approach. Finding the right balance between human expertise and technology is critical to delivering operational excellence. In this regard, artificial intelligence will no doubt have a positive impact by supporting wealth professionals in being more efficient and focused on their core expertise, rather than on manual and repetitive tasks. Technology is revolutionising the way Lombard International services their partners and clients. Digital platforms and automated tools not only enable more efficient and secure financial management but also empower wealth management providers to deliver an enhanced experience to their partners and clients.
Ultimately, Lombard International continues to build excellent momentum and presence within its sector. Their financial strength and strong business performance further highlights the success and importance of their long-term strategy. By continuing to invest in building a sustainable business while also forging strong partnerships across the European geographies they serve, the business is primed for continued growth.
Stuart goes on to tell us more about what the future entails for Lombard International: “In 2024, we remain focused on further developing and growing our business and deepening our relationships with our partners. We will continue to prioritise our ongoing investments in enhancing our processes and systems, growing our digital capabilities and related offerings. In a challenging macro-economic environment, partners and clients will continue to look for efficient and sustainable wealth and succession planning solutions – and we are here to support them.
“As a European leader in our sector, our objective of delivering against our core purpose remains steadfast. We look to 2024 and beyond with enthusiasm, as the business is fully equipped to seize the market opportunities ahead and deliver service excellence to current and future partners and clients.”
For further information, please visit www.lombardinternational.com
