Case study
The client, their challenge
Our client is a prominent Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) family with significant international investments, structured through a private trust company (PTC). While the structure was designed to preserve family involvement and long-term control, it became paralysed by escalating conflict between siblings at board level.
This deadlock triggered a governance crisis. Decision-making stalled just as the trust faced time-sensitive investment opportunities in the UK real estate market. Approval thresholds in the trust deeds and corporate articles – originally intended as safeguards – became barriers to execution. Without swift intervention, the family risked missed opportunities, declining asset value and reduced confidence in the structure.
The family needed a trusted adviser with deep expertise in governance, trust structures and complex stakeholder dynamics – capable of restoring functionality while preserving family influence and fiduciary integrity.
Our solution
IQ-EQ was appointed to resolve the immediate crisis and strengthen long-term governance, combining technical expertise with careful stakeholder engagement.
Mediation and stakeholder alignment
- Acted as an independent intermediary to de-escalate tensions and facilitate constructive dialogue
- Rebuilt trust and alignment around shared commercial and family objectives
Targeted governance restructuring
- Amended trust deeds and corporate articles to remove decision-making bottlenecks
- Recalibrated approval thresholds to balance efficiency with appropriate oversight
- Ensured all changes met legal, regulatory and fiduciary requirements
Execution support and continuity
- Worked closely with advisers and transaction teams to embed new governance processes
- Maintained continuity of control while enabling timely execution of transactions
Results
- Decision-making restored: Governance gridlock resolved without reducing family authority
- Transactions delivered: Three major UK real estate acquisitions completed successfully
- Renewed confidence: The PTC re-established as a trusted and effective structure
- Stronger governance: A more agile framework capable of supporting complex, cross-border investments
