Family Office Insider (FOI) | May 2026

Key Takeaways

• 65% of family offices plan AI investments, but 79% lack exposure
• Corient adds $11.3bn assets via Bedrock and Vivaldi acquisitions
• Lazard acquires Campbell Lutyens for $575m, boosting private capital platform
• Neo turned $150m fund into $1.2bn, rare 2021 vintage success
• Chris Rokos donates £190m (~$240m) to Cambridge University

Pulse Analysis

Artificial intelligence is now a top priority for family offices, with J.P. Morgan’s 2026 Global Family Office Report indicating that nearly two‑thirds intend to increase AI spend. Despite this enthusiasm, a Barron’s analysis reveals that almost four‑fifths have no direct exposure to AI‑related infrastructure, and many lack growth‑equity positions that could capture the sector’s upside. This mismatch pushes families toward indirect routes—such as co‑investments, venture funds, or specialized AI platforms—to avoid becoming exit liquidity for crowded trades, while still participating in the technology’s transformative potential.

The private‑market landscape is also undergoing rapid consolidation. Corient’s recent purchases of Bedrock Group and Vivaldi Capital added $11.3 bn in assets, reinforcing a trend where larger multi‑family offices absorb boutique managers to achieve scale and broaden service offerings. Lazard’s $575 m acquisition of Campbell Lutyens further illustrates the appetite of traditional banks to deepen their private‑capital capabilities. Meanwhile, Neo’s extraordinary performance—turning a $150 m 2021 vintage fund into $1.2 bn—highlights the outsized returns still possible in niche venture strategies, encouraging family offices to allocate more capital to direct and fund‑level investments.

Beyond deals, the newsletter underscores a broader shift in the family‑office ecosystem. Subscriber growth has doubled, reflecting heightened demand for curated intelligence, while the jobs board lists 46 active roles, signaling a talent crunch as offices expand their operational and investment teams. Philanthropic activity remains strong, exemplified by Chris Rokos’s £190 m (~$240 m) gift to Cambridge, reinforcing the sector’s commitment to impact. Together, these dynamics suggest family offices are poised to play an increasingly strategic role in shaping private‑market trends, talent pipelines, and societal outcomes.