“Our ambition is to be the wealth manager of choice for generations.” That’s how James Meyrick, head of UK UHNW & Regions at UBS Global Wealth Management, describes the firm’s guiding philosophy when it comes to intergenerational wealth.

The firm’s Global Wealth Report 2024 estimates that $83trn will be passed to heirs in the next 20 years, much of it moving first between spouses before reaching the next generation.

UBS’s approach to this generational handover is grounded in UBS Wealth Way, a structured framework known internally as the “three L” model.

“It starts with questions to identify what matters most to our clients,” Meyrick explains. “We then organise their financial lives into three key strategies: Liquidity, for cash flow needs including short-term expenses; Longevity, for longer-term needs; and Legacy, for needs that go beyond their own.”

This clarity helps families manage their financial lives with intent and ultimately prepare their wealth to support the next generation.

Family First: Managing Wealth with Meaning

UBS recognises that transferring wealth also involves navigating family dynamics, values, and sometimes unspoken tensions.

“Through UBS’s Family Advisory team, we orchestrate family meetings, where all members of the family are invited to discuss their values and what wealth means to them,” says Meyrick.

“Some families have achieved successful succession planning with an informal, unstructured process. For most, however, a more formal process is preferable or even necessary.”

These facilitated discussions provide space to surface different priorities among heirs whether that means investing, launching a business, or giving back through philanthropy.

“We encourage our clients to build stronger family connections by regularly talking about money with heirs,” Meyrick adds. “It helps ease concerns and strengthen their family’s legacy.”

Two Trends Shaping 2025 and Beyond

According to UBS, wealth transfer conversations are being shaped by two major forces: First, what UBS calls “The Great Wealth Transfer.”  

Second is a rise in values-based investing. “An increased number of clients and future heirs want to align their investments with social and environmental goals,” Meyrick notes.

This includes ESG-aligned portfolios and charitable strategies designed to reflect personal beliefs as well as financial goals.

Digital Meets Discretion

To support this new generation of purpose-driven investors, UBS is blending digital innovation with traditional advisory services.

One such example is UBS My Way, a next-generation portfolio management solution that allows clients to personalise investments while benefiting from expert oversight.

“The app is interactive,” Meyrick explains. “Clients can work with their advisors to design their own portfolio based on individual preferences and priorities easily including elements such as sustainable investing modules or themes.”

While the tool offers control and customisation, it also simplifies day-to-day management by putting execution in the hands of UBS’s experts. “It is bespoke: you have control based on your preferences and hand over the day-to-day management to our experts.”

Navigating Cross-Border Complexities

For families with assets and beneficiaries across jurisdictions, succession planning brings an added layer of legal and tax complexity. UBS’s international footprint and local expertise help clients navigate this landscape.

“Whether it’s personalised advisory services, guidance on philanthropic initiatives, or supporting an international family office, we help our clients navigate every aspect of their financial journey,” says Meyrick.

“We are well-versed in managing and adhering to cross-border jurisdictions and a complex regulatory environment.”

Embedding Philanthropy into Legacy

For clients looking to embed purpose into their estate plans, UBS offers both strategic advice and practical solutions. That includes access to UBS Optimus Foundation, which focuses on high-impact initiatives in health, education, and social finance.

“We have over 20 years of experience delivering philanthropy advice in-house, with a dedicated team of 130 philanthropy experts across nine locations worldwide,” says Meyrick. “We’ve supported over 10,000 clients to date.”

Clients can also engage in collective giving initiatives like UBS Collectives, UBS Giving Circle in the UK, and the UBS Philanthropists Community, enabling them to network and co-create solutions with like-minded peers.

One increasingly popular vehicle is the Donor Advised Fund (DAF). “DAFs enable clients to make financial contributions, invest them for potential growth, and then recommend grants to their preferred charities over time,” Meyrick explains. They can also be integrated into succession plans so that heirs can continue the family’s philanthropic mission.

Preparing the Next Generation

For UBS, the success of a wealth transfer isn’t measured solely in monetary terms but in how well the next generation is equipped to carry forward both capital and values.

“Our advisers offer tailored strategies for heirs, with an aim to preserve generational wealth while also reflecting newer investing preferences, such as technology, sustainability, or social impact,” Meyrick says.

Succession planning at UBS is collaborative by design. “It’s not just about transferring assets to the next generation; it’s about transferring values, knowledge, and confidence.”

That means inviting younger family members to participate in discussions, philanthropy sessions, and money management workshops early on.

“By making everyone feel invested in the process, we help prevent surprises, reduce potential conflicts, and ensure a smoother handover,” he adds.

“Our philosophy goes beyond managing assets. It’s about empowering the whole family with the right tools and guidance so that wealth transition becomes a unifying journey rather than a daunting task.”

Building Confidence and Literacy

From women’s wealth programmes to next-gen education sessions, UBS focuses on making sure future inheritors are prepared.

“We encourage all to ‘take a seat at the money table,’” Meyrick says. “We focus on engaging all voices and build financial confidence in future heirs so that the next generation of investors receive guidance to develop the skills they need to steward wealth responsibly.”

In UBS’s view, inheritance isn’t just a moment, it’s a process. And with the right structure, support, and conversation, it can become a legacy far greater than its financial sum.