Family offices eye larger private equity allocations

The family offices that participated in the survey are predominantly based in the UK and Europe, with over half managing in excess of $500 million. Average allocation to asset classes was 24% equity, 10% bonds, 11% hedge funds, 26% private equity, 14% real assets, 3% commodities, and 13% cash.

"The family offices we have canvassed for this year's survey are active and committed investors in the private equity market," Somerset said. "Our feedback suggests that this has been the best performing sector for family offices in recent years, although returns from recent vintages remain largely unrealized."

More than two thirds expressed an interest in continuing to back existing managers in 2012, with 59% saying they were open to working with new managers. Just over half are keen to participant in direct transactions or co-investments, while around one quarter are interested in secondary transactions.

Business services, consumer goods, healthcare and manufacturing are considered attractive sectors. At 70%, growth equity is the preferred investment type, with buyouts at 50% and just 12.5% for venture capital.

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• Topics
• LPs
• Europe
• LPs
• Europe
• Family office