Citywealth Forum

Embracing the new world of private wealth

Forum Agenda – Citywealth Wealth Management Forum 2026 Schedule

Forum date 12th May 2026

Join leading wealth management professionals, private client lawyers, and trust experts at the 2026 Citywealth Forum. Explore global tax, estate planning, family law, and philanthropy in a one-day intensive agenda and bespoke wealth forum.

Full Agenda

8:30 – 9:00 – Registration and breakfast

9:00 – 9:15 – Welcome address from Citywealth Forum Chair; Editor Citywealth and Forum moderator Rebecca Jones

9:15 – 10:00 | Panel 1: Trusts & Investment strategies

Volatile markets, unclear mandates, ESG, sustainability expectations, and demanding beneficiaries. We discuss gold-standard best practices for governance, due diligence, and long-term performance. This will also include defensive investing with market unpredictability considered over a protracted period of time.

Moderator:

Nataša Williams, Co-founder and CEO at Cadro

Speakers:

10:00 – 10:45 | Panel 2: International Financial Centres (IFC) Update

Barbados, Hong Kong, Monaco.

Moderator:

Speakers:

10:45 – 11:15 | Coffee Break & Networking

11:15 – 12:00 | Panel 3: Crossroads of Sharia and Common Law, Jewish law and other religious legal conflicts

Unexpected pitfalls, from forced heirship conflicts to cross-border enforceability issues. We will also include halachic (Jewish law) and other religious laws.

Moderator:

Ian Edge, Barrister, Specialist in Sharia Law at 3PB

Speakers:

12:00 – 12:45 | Panel 4: Politics, taxation and wealth – transgenerational wealth

The politics behind taxing private wealth. With shrinking taxpayer bases and increasing demand for public services, a more insecure world (with the US retreating from underpinning NATO) and increasing inequality, Governments are also facing the possibility of AI wiping out huge swathes of the workforce. What does this mean for tax rates, wealth creation and politics in an increasingly right wing, anti-global economy world.

Moderator:

Speakers:

12:45 – 14:00 – Lunch & networking

14:00 – 14:45 | Panel 5: Litigation – capacity.

We will discuss business capacity, testamentary capacity, trust capacity and marital capacity. Also considering estate planning and capacity.

Moderator:

Joshua Rubenstein – Chair, Partner and National Chair at Katten Muchin Rosenman

Speakers:

14:45 – 15:30 | Panel 6: Reputation. Building and protecting the digital reputation of families and their children. Also post death reputation management.

Reputation Recovery. Strategies for mitigating and repairing reputational damage caused by mistakes, misinformation, or malicious actions. This will include post death reputation management. Discussions will consider legislation which extends the rights of publicity for a fixed number of years after death and common law where the rights of publicity ends at death.

Moderator:

Dan Tench, Partner, CMS

Speakers:

15:30 – 16:00 | Coffee Break & Networking

16:00 – 16:45 | Panel 7: The business of philanthropy

Impact-driven, data-backed giving. The United States alone accounts for about 40-50% of global philanthropic giving, with around $450 billion+ annually. Total global philanthropic giving is roughly $700 billion to $1 trillion. We investigate the latest gold standard practices in the business of giving.

Moderator:

Matthew Briggs, Partner at Boyes Turner

Speakers:

16:45 – 17:30 | Keynote Speaker – Greg Swenson – Chairman of Republicans Overseas UK and Co-Founder of The Hamilton Society an organisation which provides Anglo-Americans with a platform for free speech, discourse and debate.

17:30 – 20:00 | Networking drinks reception

Audience participation encouraged throughout the day. Join the debate, ask questions, and engage with industry leaders.

*Glossary of Key Terms for Panel 3:

Crossroads of Sharia and Common Law, Jewish Law, and Religious Legal Conflicts

Core Concepts

  • Common Law: Judge-made law based on precedent. Emphasises testamentary freedom (wills can largely override default rules).
  • Sharia (Islamic Law): Religious law derived from the Quran, Sunnah, consensus and analogy. Governs personal, family and financial matters.
  • Halacha (Halakha): Jewish religious law based on Torah, Talmud and rabbinic rulings.

Islamic Inheritance

  • Faraid / Mirath: Fixed Quranic inheritance shares (e.g. sons typically receive twice the share of daughters).
  • Forced Heirship: Mandatory shares for certain family members that cannot be overridden by a will.
  • Wasiyyah: Islamic will/bequest – up to 1/3 of the estate can be freely given; remainder follows Faraid.
  • Ashab al-Furud: Heirs entitled to fixed Quranic shares.
  • Asabat: Residuary heirs (usually male agnates) who take the remainder.

Jewish Inheritance

  • Yerusha: Torah-based succession rules (e.g. sons preferred over daughters; firstborn son receives double portion).
  • Halachic Will: Will structured to comply with both Jewish law and civil law (often using trusts or lifetime gifts).
  • Beit Din: Rabbinical court that resolves disputes according to Halacha.
  • Dina d’Malchuta Dina: Principle that “the law of the land is the law” (civil law respected in many monetary matters).

Islamic Finance Terms

  • Riba: Prohibition of interest/usury.
  • Gharar: Prohibition of excessive uncertainty in contracts.
  • Murabaha: Cost-plus sale financing.
  • Musharakah / Mudarabah: Profit-and-loss sharing partnerships.
  • Ijarah: Islamic leasing.
  • Sukuk: Sharia-compliant asset-backed investment certificates.
  • Takaful: Islamic cooperative insurance.

Key Structures & Conflict Issues

Trusts / Foundations: Structures often used (including via PTCs) to reconcile religious requirements with common law rules and mitigate forced heirship.

Private Trust Company (PTC): A family-owned company that acts as trustee for the family’s trusts. Provides greater control, continuity and protection against forced heirship claims in cross-border planning.

Cross-Border Enforceability: Recognition of religious-law wills, trusts or judgments in common law jurisdictions.

Public Policy Exception: Courts may refuse to enforce foreign/religious rules that conflict with local law (e.g. gender discrimination, polygamy).

Renvoi & Choice of Law: Rules deciding which country’s law applies to multi-jurisdictional estates.

Citywealth Forum 2026 – USA past speakers and agenda/ 18th March 2026.

Now looking for speakers for March 2027.

MC Jan Hopkins was host and was the President of the Economic Club of New York from 2008–2015. She was the anchor of the daily CNN Financial News show “Street Sweep” from the New York Stock Exchange.

13:30 – 14:15 | Panel 1: Trusts & Investment strategies

Panel line up order: Julie, Nikita, Robert, Paulina

Julie Neitzel; Nikita Gibson, Robert Macro, Paulina Mejia

MODERATOR

Julie L. Neitzel is a Partner and Senior Advisor at WE Family Offices

Julie L. Neitzel is a Partner and Senior Advisor at WE Family Offices, 25+ years in finance. They serve ultra-high-net-worth families with large mandates, boasting an average account value of about $128.8 million (per recent studies, with 108 Robert Macro accounts and $13.9B+ in regulatory AUM)

PANELISTS

Nikita Gibson, Managing Director at Geneva International Insurance

Former Commissioner of the Barbados Financial Services Commission.

The use of Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI)—particularly offshore variants for greater flexibility—as a tax-efficient wrapper to hold nontraditional assets, simplifying trustee reporting and oversight (reducing to policy value under IRS rules), enhancing asset protection (e.g., via Barbados separate accounts), and aligning with family goals.

Robert Macro, Partner – Head of International Private Client at Druces

Works with film and television directors, resolving high-profile issues such as HSBC Swiss data theft cases and Middle Eastern fiduciary litigation post-Arab Spring

Robert Macro highlights the difficulties and new approaches in updating trusts so they can hold higher-growth investments and last for many generations, while dealing with different rules across countries (like differences between UK and US systems, or tax issues when beneficiaries move abroad). He pointed out the danger that splitting duties too much (through directed trusts or other changes) could weaken traditional fiduciary responsibilities, and stressed the importance of clear trust wording, family charters as guides.

Paulina Mejia, National Fiduciary Counsel at Fiduciary Trust International

She is a member of the firm’s management and operating committees, serves on Fiduciary Trust Company of Delaware’s board

Under Prudent Investor Principles, no asset class is inherently off-limits, and a prudent portfolio need not be conservative—it must align with the trust’s terms and purpose, beneficiaries’ circumstances, and feature adequate diversification, backed by a clear, documented process covering regulation, valuation, and custody. Trustees may prudently delegate investment decisions or use tools like decanting to directed trusts, investment advisor structures, or PPLI to manage liability appropriately, yet even directed trustees must uphold core fiduciary duties, work closely with advisors, and stay true to the trust’s intent. Debate continues over the proper boundaries, as excessive bifurcation of duties across jurisdictions can undermine fundamental trust principles. Ultimately, clear roles, strong process, and consistent communication are critical to avoiding litigation, which most often stems from mismatched expectations rather than the investments themselves.

 14:15 – 15:00 | Panel 2: From Bogotá to Buenos Aires: Leading the Conversation on Latin America’s Wealth Evolution

Panel line up order: Marina, Francesca, Nina

Marina Cristiani, Francesca Boschini, Nina Heindel Baumbach,

MODERATOR

Marina Cristiani, Senior Director – Head of Client Solutions at JTC USA Private Client Services

Collaborating in jurisdictions like the Caymans, Switzerland, or Delaware. Marina’s LATAM focus adds advises wealthy families known for entrepreneurial dynasties.

Marina will facilitate an exploration of evolving dynamics in the region, with a primary focus on Brazil and Mexico as the key countries illustrating broader LatAm trends, and a brief but important segment on significant developments in geopolitics including Venezuela toward the end.

PANELISTS

Francesca Boschini, Director – Head of International Wealth Planning & Head of Insurance Solutions for the Americas at Deutsche Bank Wealth Management

Leads the U.S. cross-border and international wealth planning practice with +25 years of experience in wealth planning.

Mexico segment. Increased global diversification, movement of capital to stable jurisdictions, growing interest in US and European investments, impact of political cycles and currency volatility. Mexico nearshoring wealth creation. Younger generations are accelerating the adoption of technology and digital investment platforms.

Nina Heindel Baumbach, Senior Manager, Tax Services at RSM US

Her prior roles in Brazilian tax/TP leadership and UK-US bilateral tax give her a unique angle on cross-border private wealth issues, especially involving LATAM or Europe-US tie.

Panel summary: Brazil segment. The wealth landscape in Latin America is evolving rapidly. Traditionally, wealth planning discussions centred primarily on tax efficiency. Today, families are thinking more broadly about privacy, security, governance, global mobility, and long-term wealth preservation. While regional growth remains modest, wealthy families are increasingly adopting more sophisticated and global strategies to navigate volatility and protect their assets. In this panel, we will explore how families across the region are responding to these shifts, including greater international diversification, cross-border structuring, and the growing role of family offices and next-generation governance.

15:30 – 16:15 | Panel 3: Beyond the Frame: Managing and Transitioning Major Art Collections. When Collecting Outlasts the Collector

Panel line up order: Francesca, Sherri, Courtney, Danielle

Francesca Boschini, Sherri Cohen, Courtney Christensen, Danielle Amato-Milligan

MODERATOR

Francesca Boschini, Director – Head of International Wealth Planning & Head of Insurance Solutions for the Americas at Deutsche Bank Wealth Management

Leads the U.S. cross-border and international wealth planning practice with +25 years of experience in wealth planning.

Rise in women buying art. Timing of sales and tax considerations versus emotional attachment. Seed change: shift in interest toward collectibles (e.g., cars, other luxury assets/collectibles). Creates risk in collections, value drops. Family fights when art is given to one child not another. Opportunities with trustees and museums – fiduciary considerations in evolving landscape. Paris is on the up.

PANELISTS

Sherri Cohen, Senior Vice President – Global Head of the Fiduciary Client Group at Sotheby’s

As a dual-qualified attorney (U.S./New York and U.K. Solicitor) collaborating on strategy across Sotheby’s global teams in New York, London, and Europe.

New bidder demographics including Gen Z & Millennials, 85% increase from 2024 rose to compete in $1m+ market, back to 2022 levels. Also drawn to luxury goods (watches, jewelry, handbags, cars). Rebound in sales, kickstarted in mid to late November by $136m Karpidas, then $450m Lauder and other estates sold in New York. Market ended up 20% year to year, boosted by the $1m market. $1million plus marketplace saw boom, only 6% of total lots, but 76% of value, see a rise in the Masterpiece Market.

Courtney Christensen, Senior Director, Trusts & Estates at Winston Art Group

25 years of experience in the art and advisory space. Guidance on art appraisals, valuation for probate or estate tax purposes, provenance research and authenticity issues.

Regular valuations increasingly important. Approaching both the acquisition of objects and their care and custody over time with a higher level of discipline. Collection management systems, rigorous record-keeping for provenance, timely appraisals, and informed acquisition.

Danielle Amato-Milligan, Philanthropic & Cultural Business Strategist at AmatoMilligan & Associates 

Danielle guides families and institutions on philanthropy, art and cultural assets as well as strategic giving. Roles at major New York institution inc: Director of Membership at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Will discuss examples of hands on experience of UHNW clients requests and strategies.

16:15 – 17:00 | Panel 4: The Billion-Dollar Game: Women’s Sport, Celebrity Capital & the Future of Investment

Panel line up order: Emily, Arya, Lisa, Jess

Emily Dreas, Arya Rahimian, Lisa Barksdale, Jess Alden

MODERATOR

Emily Dreas, Managing Director and the Senior Market Executive for Bank of America Private Bank 

Leads the firm’s largest U.S. market (Metro New York). Oversees a team of more than 250 colleagues and associates.

The need for philanthropy first – patrons – just as up and coming artists needed original funding like Nick Cave to get to the status he is today. Data-driven opening; valuation and revenue insights. Reputational and legal angles; financing structures; philanthropic and investment calls to action; mental health and fan dynamics. Future outlook. Bank of America committed to driving valuation through investment in teams such as August National Women’s Amateur.

PANELISTS

Arya S. Rahimian, Managing Director in the Valuation Advisory Services practice at Kroll 

Based in Los Angeles, California. Member at the Milken Institute. Technical valuation for passion-driven assets inc sports franchises, helping UHNW families, family offices, and investors assess and capitalize on trends like PE inflows into women’s sports. Article on topic here

Will talk about current valuations with some real-life examples of where women’s sports teams are trading and what leagues and franchises he feels are ripe for investment and growth within women sports.

Lisa Barksdale, Head of Global Wealth & Investment Management Credit at Bank of America Private Bank

Private Bank’s credit arm specifically enables client-level financing for sports-related deals. Examples in the industry include franchise stakes, stadium improvements, or ownership transitions.

The work the Bank of America has done in the lending space to help create value for franchises.  As one of the largest players in the field of financing sports teams, a look at creating structures and covenants in the sector.  

Jess Alden, Partner at Slateford

Advising England international and Premier League footballers on privacy risks, engaging in pre-publication correspondence to prevent or mitigate damaging media stories, and handling issues that could impact their careers, endorsements, or personal lives.

Managing reputation and crisis for high-profile athletes. The intense pressure these players face up close. Does criticism directed at Simone Biles after the Tokyo Olympics shape the broader conversation around women’s sports? Did her powerful comeback story ultimately help cast a more positive spotlight on mental health awareness—and what does that reveal about the importance of fan bases in building or protecting an athlete’s value?”

17:00 – 17:30 – Break

17:30 – 18:30 | Citywealth Powerwomen Awards 2026 – USA

18:30 – 19:30 | Networking drinks reception

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