UK Sotheby's International Realty has launched The Family Office, offering global ultra-high-net-worth individuals and multi-family offices advice on wealth and investments and exclusive access to the world’s finest trophy real estate, art, jewellery, and car collections. 

Led by Founder, Marcus O’ Brien (photo), The Family Office also provides access to related financial services and staffing solutions, supported by expert legal counsel.

Most of the exclusive real estate offered won't be available on the open market, giving clients preferential access to unique, high-quality investment opportunities around the world.

Founder Marcus O’ Brien has a proven track record of discreetly representing billionaire clients and is a recognised industry leader in ultra-prime trophy real estate, globally. Over the past decade, he has successfully transacted on a series of record-breaking and remarkable deals including a £225 million mansion at 2-8a Rutland Gate in Knightsbridge, which today is the most expensive house ever sold in the UK, if not the world, and another deal which is the most valuable rental contract in British history.

Marcus is accredited to The Market Leaders Group, an exclusive Sotheby’s International Realty group, which is 50 agents selected from over 26,500 colleagues, based on the exceptional and market-leading quality and value of their real estate transactions undertaken for clients. The first and only global ultra-prime agent association of its kind, The Market Leaders Group is responsible for over $8.2 billion in annual client transactions and through this network, The Family Office can showcase client luxury assets for sale or client acquisition requirements. The network can also provide industry intelligence from the most senior sources, thought leadership and strategic introductions for clients.

Alongside George Azar, Chairman & CEO of UK, Dubai & Saudi Arabia Sotheby’s International Realty, the global advisory team for The Family Office includes Nikki Field, Founder, The Field Team, based in New York, a leading expert on trophy real estate in North America who will serve as the Head of US Realty for The Family Office.

The art advisory team includes David Schrader, Chairman, Global Private Sales at Sotheby’s, Samuel Valette, Vice Chairman, Head of Private Sales EMEA, and James Francis Fox, Director of Private Sales, as well as Nicolas Chow, Chairman and Sotheby’s Worldwide Head of Asian Art.

The automotive advisory team includes Peter Wallman, RM Sotheby’s Chairman (UK & EMEA) and Shelby Myers, RM Global Head of Private Sales. For financial services, The Family Office is advised by Sotheby’s Financial Services.

The provision of staffing for households, family offices and security for clients of The Family Office is managed by Peter Mahler, the Chairman of Mahler Private Staffing whilst a strategic partnership has been formed for strategic counsel services with Walgate, powered by Fladgate LLP, a law firm based in London. Walgate Family Office Services (Walgate) provides professional management services to address the strategic, personal and domestic needs of UHNW families.

Through a single contact point, Walgate coordinates Fladgate LLP’s extensive legal expertise with its network of trusted partners and expert advisers to deliver effective client-centric solutions.

The Family Office is under the same ownership as Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty and Saudi Arabia Sotheby’s International Realty, offering a unique platform for serving key Family Offices from the Gulf and wider GCC region on their existing portfolios, strategies and future acquisitions.

The Family Office of UK Sotheby’s International Realty says that there are over 28,420 centi-millionaires and some 2,350 billionaires around the world with the highest numbers in just 10 exceptionally affluent countries around the world, most UHNWI and their families choosing to be based in just 16 key wealth cities. The 10 countries with the highest number of centi-millionaires and billionaires in the world are the United States, China, Hong Kong (SAR China), Singapore, the UK, France, Japan, Switzerland, India and the United Arab Emirates.

The world’s top 16 cities with the largest populations of centi-millionaires and billionaires are New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Chicago, Paris, Tokyo, Geneva, Houston, Zurich, Mumbai and Dubai.

George Azar, Chairman & CEO of UK Dubai and Saudi Arabia Sotheby’s International Realty says: “The Family Office of UK Sotheby’s International Realty will focus on the creation of enduring value for our esteemed Ultra-High-Net-Worth global clients in their pursuit of acquiring and managing the world's most coveted trophy real estate and luxury assets, not available through other sources or the open market.”  

Marcus O’Brien, Founder of The Family Office of UK Sotheby’s International Realty says: “The Family Office will act as a singular point of contact for existing and future UHNW clients globally for services at the highest levels of seniority across our partners including Sotheby’s International Realty, Sotheby’s esteemed Auction House, RM Sotheby’s and Sotheby’s Financial Services. The Family Office will be a bridge for this network and provide clients with senior-level expertise and a comprehensive understanding of global luxury markets, allowing us to provide a truly exceptional and bespoke service to our esteemed clientele, while unlocking global investment opportunities.”

For more information on The Family Office of UK Sotheby’s International Realty contact Marcus O’Brien on Tel: +44 (0)204 586 7135 Email: mob at sothebysrealty.co.uk and visit: www.sothebysrealty.co.uk.

Sotheby's International Realty Company Profile & Track Record on Buildington.