In a world where the ultimate form of luxury is time — to protect, to enjoy, to make unforgettable — family offices are emerging as the new architects of their clients’ lives.
The wealth they oversee is expanding at unprecedented speed: according to the Family Office Insights Series. Global Edition, Defining the Family Office landscape by Deloitte Private, global family wealth is set to rise from $3.3 trillion in 2019 to $9.5 trillion by 2030, a remarkable 189% increase that is transforming family offices into powerful economic actors. As more assets migrate from traditional wealth management to dedicated family office structures, differentiation becomes essential.
Financial management alone is no longer sufficient. UHNW families expect an ecosystem of support that blends financial expertise with personal well-being, elevating their quality of life. Luxury and lifestyle services are becoming central to this shift — from exclusive travel to wellness, from private events to bespoke concierge coordination.
To understand how lifestyle advisory can meaningfully support family offices, we spoke with Paul Lewis, Co-founder of Luxo Italia, an agency specialized in designing high-touch, highly personalized luxury travel for distinguished families.
How does the concept of a holiday change when the traveler is not an individual, but a multi-generational family or a group with a reputation and relationships to protect?
When the traveler is a multi-generational family or a family with a public profile, a holiday stops being a personal experience and becomes a shared responsibility. The focus shifts from individual enjoyment to risk management, coordination, and discretion. In these situations, planning is not delegated to a system, but to people. Andrea Degasperi – Luxo Italia’s Co-founder – and myself personally oversee every phase of the experience, from the first strategic conversation to the final day of the journey. This direct involvement allows us to manage family dynamics, sensitivities, and expectations with continuity and accountability. For these clients, success is not defined by what happens, but by what never becomes an issue. The presence of a trusted human counterpart makes that possible.
Luxo specializes in high-end travel solutions across Italy. However, the country rarely behaves like a linear system. What surprises visitors the most when operating at a high level here?
From our standpoint, the fact that formal structures and real access rarely coincide. After more than fifteen years of operating in Italy at a high level, we have learned that what truly matters is who you know, how well you are known, and the trust built over time. Our work relies on long-standing personal relationships, not transactional access. We act as direct interlocutors, using this relational capital to navigate local ecosystems, anticipate friction, and resolve situations before they escalate. This is not something that can be replicated through platforms or standard processes.
There’s often a gap between the Italy people imagine and the Italy they encounter. How do you close that distance?
The gap emerges when clients realize that Italy, while emotionally powerful, is operationally demanding. Bridging this gap requires more than design; it requires constant presence and responsibility. We personally curate and monitor every element, remaining in close contact with clients throughout the journey. Whether it is a private visit, a transfer, or a last-minute adjustment, we remain directly available during the experience itself. Clients know exactly who to call, and more importantly, they know that the person answering has full authority to act.
Coming back to the start of every journey. When a family office contacts you, what do you realize they are not asking for, but actually need?
They are not asking for creativity. They are asking for someone who is willing to stand behind every decision. Family offices need a partner who does not disappear after the plan is approved. They need continuity before, during, and after the experience. This is why we remain personally involved at every stage, including on-the-ground coordination during the stay or event. Our clients value knowing that responsibility is not fragmented, and that accountability is clear and human.
With UHNW clients, alignment is everything. How do you make sure you operate in the same language — and logic — as a family office?
By sharing the same sense of responsibility. We think in terms of long-term trust, not single transactions. Our personal reputations are directly tied to the quality of execution, which naturally aligns us with the mindset of family offices. By being personally present and reachable, Paul and Andrea operate as an extension of the family office’s structure, not as an external vendor. This human continuity is what allows lifestyle decisions to be handled with the same care as financial ones.
