By Allie Hills, Client Relationship Director, Guernsey
GCC women are playing a greater role than ever in shaping family wealth. Advisers who listen deeply, respect cultural and religious values and provide confidential, collaborative wealth management solutions will be best positioned to build enduring partnerships with these women.
Shifting wealth stewardship in the GCC
Across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), women have an increasingly decisive presence in the wealth conversation. In Saudi Arabia, women now own 45% of small and medium-sized businesses – a remarkable shift spurred by Vision 2030 reforms. In the UAE, 30% of real estate portfolios are held by women, and more than 25,000 Emirati women entrepreneurs contribute over $16 billion annually to the economy.
These changes aren’t merely symbolic. They signal a generational rebalancing of who creates, oversees and directs wealth in the GCC, and they carry profound implications for fiduciaries. UHNW women in the region are leading investment decisions, setting philanthropic priorities and shaping family offices that will define legacies for generations.
What matters most to UHNW GCC women
While every client is unique, a few themes consistently surface in our conversations with UHNW women in the GCC:
- Privacy and discretion: Family wealth is often closely held and culturally sensitive. Advisers must operate with the highest standards of confidentiality, creating safe spaces for women to ask questions and challenge assumptions
- Family harmony: For many GCC women, priorities extend beyond efficient wealth transfer toward ensuring that the process strengthens family ties rather than fracturing them. Tools such as family constitutions, governance frameworks and corporate fiduciary structures can reduce conflict and clarify roles across generations
- Cultural alignment: Many women want more say in how wealth is managed and used, whether that means directing philanthropic efforts, setting guardrails for next-generation heirs, or diversifying investments globally. Structures must often align with Shariah principles and local expectations
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration: Women often prefer teams of advisers – fiduciary, investment, legal and philanthropic – who work together holistically, rather than siloed experts delivering piecemeal advice
Beyond “financial products”: The relational model
For fiduciaries, success with UHNW GCC women requires shifting from a transactional model to a relational one. Instead of consulting with a single decision-maker, many women prefer inclusive engagement across the family.
Advisers should listen first, create space for women to lead conversations, and invest in building the confidence of the next generation. Governance tools like foundations and family councils should serve as more than legal entities, acting as instruments of family cohesion and continuity.
Choosing a fiduciary partner for collaboration, not control
The rise of UHNW women in the GCC represents both a cultural shift and a tremendous opportunity. Advisers who understand the cultural dynamics at play – and can deliver the right balance of technical excellence and emotional intelligence – will be well-positioned to:
- Build trust in environments where discretion is paramount
- Help families design governance that balances tradition and innovation
- Empower women to translate familial values into action across investment, succession, and philanthropy
As more GCC women step into leadership roles within their families, businesses and communities, fiduciaries must prepare to meet them as partners.
Why Guernsey: A trusted home for family wealth
Guernsey has a global reputation as a jurisdiction where privacy, governance and integrity come together. These qualities resonate strongly with GCC families and the women who lead them.
Benefits of Guernsey include:
- No public register of beneficial ownership: Guernsey safeguards client confidentiality while meeting global transparency standards, offering HNW families the discretion they value
- GDPR-aligned data protection: Robust data governance ensures that sensitive family and financial information is secure
- A trusted fiduciary ecosystem: Decades of experience have built Guernsey’s reputation for professionalism, ethical practice and regulatory stability
- Structures that accommodate Shariah principles: Guernsey’s flexible legal framework supports corporate and foundation-based structures aligned with Islamic finance requirements
- Bespoke family constitutions and governance frameworks: Fiduciary professionals in Guernsey are experienced in designing governance tools that reflect each family’s culture, faith and long-term goals
- Support for matriarchal leadership and intergenerational planning: With a strong community of senior female fiduciary professionals, Guernsey offers an inclusive environment that aligns naturally with the growing leadership role of GCC women
How we can help
Our team at IQ-EQ combines deep fiduciary expertise with a relational and collaborative approach to client relationships. With in-house Shariah-qualified professionals and extensive experience serving UHNW families globally, we design governance and fiduciary solutions that respect cultural values while empowering women to lead their families with confidence.
Contact our Guernsey team to learn more about how we can support your family’s legacy.
