Preserving a family legacy is more than just passing on wealth; it’s about safeguarding your family’s values, history, and societal contributions for future generations. Effective succession planning ensures smooth transitions, maintains continuity, and prepares the next generation to uphold and expand the family’s vision.
Succession planning is an active process – often referred to as an ecosystem rather than a single event. Without a clear plan in place, families risk conflict, mismanagement, and the loss of accumulated knowledge and assets. However, succession planning can be fraught with challenges that can derail even the most well-intentioned plans. Recognising these issues is the first step in navigating them successfully.
Common challenges that families often face include:
Poor communication: Misunderstandings can arise without open, ongoing dialogue
Ego and power struggles: Differing visions can lead to internal conflicts
Lack of exit strategy: Without clear exit plans, transitions can be chaotic
Unprepared next generation: Inadequate preparation can lead to mismanagement
Overnight succession: Rushed transitions often result in instability
In the below infographic, we offer a checklist for building a lasting family legacy, with 5 essential steps to ensure a smooth transition and the sustained growth of your family’s vision and wealth.
For further information about any of the insights shared above or to find out more about Bedrock’s Family Strategy and Governance services, please do reach out info@bedrockgroup.ch.
Author: Maria Villax, Head of Family Strategy and Governance at Bedrock
Inheriting the Future is a new Bedrock series exploring how the next generation is navigating that responsibility in an era of rapid technological and societal change. Written by Bedrock Advisory Board member Kydd Boyle, founder and CEO of Horizons and a member of a fifth-generation family business, the series offers a candid perspective shaped by his experience as an entrepreneur, investor, next-gen, and father.
Recent reports show that in 2025, families of significant means contributed $207 billion to philanthropic causes, accounting for 36% of all individual giving worldwide. This growth reflects not just increased generosity, but a shift toward more structured and disciplined approaches to giving, as families increasingly professionalise their philanthropic activity. To explore this evolving landscape, we spoke with Jo Shropshire, co-founder of Benesys, a leading philanthropic advisory firm.
Bedrock has been named Best Private Investment Office / Multi-Family Office in Switzerland at the 2026 WealthBriefing Swiss Awards, recognising the firm’s independent, bespoke, and fully integrated approach to multi-generational wealth management.