A reflection from UMA Wealth on the panel moderated by our Partner and Managing Director at the STEP Benelux Conference 2026.
On 4–5 June 2026, the STEP Benelux Conference gathered leading private-client practitioners at Arendt House in Luxembourg. UMA Wealth had the privilege of moderating the session “Bridging Continents: The Strategic Role of Benelux for Latin American Families,” led by our Partner and Managing Director, Fabio Mastrosimone.
The panel featured a unique convergence of perspectives, analysing the shift in how Latin American wealth is managed and protected:
- Roberto Awad (Goldman Sachs) provided the investor’s lens, illustrating the quiet revolution within Latin American portfolios. He highlighted that wealth in the region has reached a scale where “one-lifetime” management is no longer sufficient. As families become truly global—with members living and studying across continents—Roberto emphasized that the mission has shifted from mere accumulation to multi-generational preservation. He noted that modern structures must now support complex governance and long-term succession, as families move from conservative, fixed-income-heavy positions toward sophisticated allocations in private equity and alternatives to protect their legacy against inflation and tax erosion.
- David Cordova Flores (Charles Russell Speechlys) addressed the technical “toolbox.” He offered compelling examples of how multinationals are relocating their top holding companies to Luxembourg to reduce financing costs. Crucially, he emphasized the role of Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) as strategic safeguards that change the nature of negotiations when families face state-level disputes.
- Peter Egan (Corient Group) framed the “human journey” of these families. He noted that the path to a robust, governed structure is rarely immediate. It is an evolutionary process where the tipping point often arrives when the family’s local adviser gains confidence in the Luxembourg ecosystem—a transition from asset diversification to full professionalized governance.
Our Approach Moderating this session reinforced the core conviction at UMA Wealth: we do not simply offer a product; we provide a bridge assisting families through the transition from domestic structures to an EU-anchored, treaty-rich jurisdiction. Stability, protection, and continuity are the foundations of a legacy that spans generations.
UMA Wealth extends its gratitude to Roberto, David, and Peter for their invaluable professional insights.
