There comes a moment when an event ceases to be just another date on the calendar and becomes a place where an entire industry comes together, exchanges ideas and seeks to envision its future.
This was the ambition behind the third edition of the Wealth Management Summit, organised by We Wealth on 8 October at the Palazzo Serbelloni in Milan. The ambition was reflected in the high-profile attendance: more than 350 attendees, 14 banks represented and over 40 partners and speakers, alongside leading figures from asset management, private markets, financial advisory, the business community, and tax and legal services. These figures reflect the event’s success, but above all, they demonstrate We Wealth’s ability to bring together professionals, expertise and diverse perspectives around the same table. Wealth management has become an increasingly cross-disciplinary field, where investment decisions can no longer be separated from broader economic, technological, demographic and social transformations. From global affairs to portfolios, and from portfolios to people. This was the guiding theme of a day dedicated to the major issues shaping wealth management, while keeping their practical implications in focus for those who manage, advise on and own wealth.
The discussion opened with Ambassador Vincenzo De Luca, who examined international geopolitical dynamics and the implications of a changing global order. This was far from a topic detached from financial markets: understanding the world in which investments are made is now an integral part of any long-term wealth strategy. Alongside the geopolitical perspective, industry analysis played a central role. McKinsey & Company, the Summit’s Knowledge Partner, contributed to the debate through presentations by Felix Wenger, Luca Bionducci and Stefano Cantù, offering insights into the transformation of the European wealth management industry, the evolution of private markets and the challenges posed by generational change.
The morning focused on investments, with an in-depth discussion of private markets, which are playing an increasingly prominent role in diversification strategies for private wealth. Private credit, private equity, evergreen funds, European Long-Term Investment Funds (ELTIFs), distribution infrastructure and portfolio construction all featured in discussions between international operators and key players in the Italian market. Participants included Ares, Apollo, Neuberger, Ardian, iCapital, Swiss Life Asset Managers and Flossbach von Storch.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted from portfolio construction to the transformation of financial advisory. Artificial intelligence, trust, new service models and client relationships were at the heart of a discussion involving, among others, Emanuela Girardi, Fiorella Passoni of Edelman, and senior executives from leading Italian banking and private banking institutions. The underlying theme remained the same: in an industry where technology and access to information are rapidly changing the landscape, the value of financial advice increasingly lies in the ability to navigate complexity and guide decisions that affect not only investments but the entire spectrum of wealth. Particular attention was also devoted to entrepreneurial families and generational wealth transfer, two issues set to have a profound impact on the future of the industry. From the relationship between business and wealth to decisions following an exit, from family governance to succession planning, the Summit brought together financial, entrepreneurial, legal and tax expertise to address issues that increasingly require an integrated approach.
Family Offices: A forum for peer-to-peer exchange
One of the distinctive features of the 2026 edition was a closed-door session dedicated to family offices, bringing together more than 50 representatives from Italian and international organisations. The format deliberately differed from that of the main stage: a private setting designed to encourage direct, peer-to-peer dialogue on issues of particular relevance to these organisations. From co-investments to strategies for attracting and retaining talent, as well as the challenges of governance, generational succession and innovation, the session provided an opportunity for families and professionals responsible for managing complex wealth over the long term to share experiences and priorities. The initiative underscores We Wealth’s growing focus on the family office sector, which is becoming increasingly central to the dialogue between private capital, businesses and investment.
A growing community
Held under the patronage of AIPB and EFPA Italia, the Wealth Management Summit also reaffirmed the value of face-to-face interaction. Alongside presentations and panel discussions, networking opportunities fostered new connections among banks, asset managers, financial advisors, entrepreneurs and industry professionals. The day concluded with the recognition of the Top 200 Wealth Advisors, celebrating professionals in wealth advisory, followed by the closing Community Cocktail. The success of this third edition, however, cannot be measured by numbers alone. Above all, it lies in the quality of the discussions and the opportunity to bring together different communities that too often address separately challenges that are deeply interconnected. This is the role We Wealth aims to continue playing: not simply reporting on how the wealth industry is evolving, but creating opportunities for its key players to exchange ideas, connect and develop new perspectives. For those who were unable to attend, as well as those wishing to explore the many topics discussed in greater depth, the sessions from the Wealth Management Summit 2026 will be available on demand through We Wealth’s channels. A wealth of analysis, experience and perspectives that will continue to resonate long after the event in Milan.
