Money problems, work responsibilities, and family matters are just some of the things keeping many people tied to one area. But for the world’s wealthiest, there is the perception that these limitations are not so harsh – instead, these families can more easily embrace the romance of living globally.

However, even with all the freedom of a high net worth, being a global family comes with its own complexities for managing wealth. Marco Sella-Rolando knows precisely the issues at hand – not just due to his career at Julius Baer working with international clients in Europe, Emerging Markets, Middle East and Africa, but through his own globe-sprawling heritage.

Over the years, he has developed a clear idea of how to manage wealth planning complexities when assets and family members are spread across the world. Here, he reveals five steps for simplifying wealth matters in these circumstances:

Marco’s expertise in this area is two-fold – firstly, he has been with Julius Baer for 12 years, working closely with ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their families to ensure they know which perspectives to consider. And secondly, his personal background is a patchwork of fascinating migrations. Born in South Africa to a German mother and Italian father, his home-life began with an embedded knowledge that the world can be bigger than our backyards – and wholly interconnected.

Travel – as a desire and an opportunity – was key to his story long before he was even born. His German-born mother had been exploring the African continent when she met Marco’s father – an Italian who had relocated to South Africa with his family at the age of 15.  

Marco was raised in Polokwane, in the far north of South Africa, experiencing the city at once through the lens of a South African, an Italian, and a German. His studies and desire to progress in his career led him to the UK, where he lived in London for 10 years. It was here that he met his British-South African wife – and 12 years ago, they made the decision to move to Switzerland.

Now, on the shore of glistening Lake Zug, Marco has settled with a multi-national family of his own. The town of Zug itself, Marco explains, is a hub of globalism and unique complexity. It acts as a fascinating hybrid of old and new – tradition and breakthrough.

“Sunday in heaven is noisy compared to this quietness,” wrote American author Mark Twain about the area surrounding nearby Mount Rigi whilst living in Switzerland in the late 1800s. The writer enjoyed the peace of the mountain – and this particular quote is beloved by Marco, as he believes it perfectly encapsulates the serenity of his home.

“A great deal has changed since then,” notes Marco. “And I’m still amused by his observation when I consider how busy and internationally diverse Zug is today. The canton is not only the home to many global organisations, but also stands out as a hub for blockchain and digital asset development, where many technology start-ups and service providers are based.”

A deepened understanding of global families

His Swiss hometown gives Marco further insights into the families he helps on a daily basis – as he says: “These developments have ensured that Zug, like Switzerland generally, has been attractive to international families, and whether they stay for short-term engagements, or relocate with longer horizons in mind, they fascinate me as a Wealth Planner. 

“This is because our role as wealth planner brings us into the engine room of many of the discussions that impact complex UHNW families, particularly those that have family members and/or assets in multiple locations across the globe.

“Our Family Barometer report shows that one in two Ultra High Net Worth families have physical assets or family members on 3 or more continents. Planning for a single asset class can be challenging enough, and when assets involve multiple classes spread across countries, and family members also live across the globe, the complexity increases exponentially,” adds Marco.

It can all seem overwhelming – the bigger your world becomes, the more complicated your financial situation may be. However, as Wealth Planning experts such as Marco have shown, these complexities are not insurmountable – and they needn’t be stressful. By keeping in mind his five steps, navigating complexities becomes a much easier journey.