Dear Members and Friends,

Amid heightened market volatility and shifting policy signals, the case for disciplined, long-term portfolio management has never been clearer. Sustainable outcomes are not shaped by short-term market noise, but by strong fundamentals, clear mandates and robust governance. These principles are increasingly critical as clients navigate a more complex and interconnected global landscape.

Most of you will be aware that the AIWM Independent Wealth Summit was conceived as a platform to better align our industry with the broader educational and professional ecosystem. From the outset, the objective was to create a meaningful pathway for dialogue between practitioners, institutions and academia, while contributing to the development of a future-ready talent pipeline for the independent wealth sector. Building on the strong momentum from last year, the 2nd edition of the AIWM Independent Wealth Summit will take place on 14 April 2026, featuring three thematic panel discussions, followed by three masterclasses to deepen practical insights:

  • Building Resilience and Alpha: Investment Innovation for the New Wealth Paradigm
  • Global Wealth, Local Realities: Rethinking Cross-Border Wealth Planning
  • The Next-Gen Wealth Playbook: Redefining the Three Ps – Purpose, Passion and Performance

This year also marks the first time we will be welcoming participation from the next generation. As wealth transfer and intergenerational transition become increasingly central to many families, the inclusion of next-generation perspectives reflects a broader shift in how sustainable wealth stewardship is approached – not only through structures and strategies, but through engagement, education and shared values across generations.

As our industry continues to evolve, these conversations are becoming ever more important. The challenges of wealth preservation, succession and family governance extend beyond technical solutions alone; they require a holistic approach that integrates disciplined stewardship, strong governance frameworks and thoughtful next-generation development.

As we progress through this 15th year milestone for AIWM, I encourage members to stay engaged in our initiatives and conversations. Your participation strengthens our ecosystem, deepens collective learning and helps advance the standards and professionalism of independent wealth managers.

The AIWM Independent Wealth Summit 2026 website will go live pretty soon. Stay tuned and ensure you secure access to this year’s Summit.

I look forward to seeing you at the Summit.


Bernard Ong
AIWM Vice President