Held outside of Asia for the first time, this year’s Programme placed strong emphasis on Artificial Intelligence in family-owned business to drive long-term sustainability
2025 Next Gen Programme participants and speakers against the backdrop of this year’s venue, Balliol College, University of Oxford (photo credit: UOB)
Singapore, 15 August 2025 – UOB Private Bank successfully concluded its 2025 Next Gen Programme, held from 3 to 9 August in Oxford and London, United Kingdom. Hosted outside of Asia for the first time, this year’s Programme was held at the prestigious University of Oxford, bringing together 20 participants from eight countries.
UOB Private Bank’s Next Gen Programme is a transformative week-long programme designed to equip the next generation of Ultra-High-Net-Worth (UHNW) family business stewards with the necessary skills and mindsets as they inherit their family wealth. Now in its third consecutive international run, the Programme aims to prepare UHNW successors for their future responsibilities and challenges as custodians of legacy, structured with a focus on the themes of Entrepreneurship, Digital Innovation and Technology, balancing progressiveness with heritage.
Mr Chew Mun Yew, Head of UOB Private Bank, shared, “The hard work and commitment of family business leaders should be preserved and nurtured for generations to come. In the Asia Pacific region, up to USD 6 trillion worth of assets are expected to be transferred to the next generation by 2030, with financial hubs Singapore and Hong Kong being the key hubs facilitating these wealth flows.1 Our award-winning Next Gen Programme empowers UHNW families to navigate the complexities of wealth transition with confidence, equipping next-generation leaders with knowledge and practical skills to manage, grow and preserve their family wealth across generations. We are grateful to the University of Oxford for hosting this inaugural Europe edition, which brings global perspectives and offers valuable networking opportunities for our young leaders.”
Programme highlights: Integrating Artificial Intelligence and legacy; the Oxford experience and industry immersion
The 2025 Programme was thoughtfully designed with Artificial Intelligence (AI) related components interwoven throughout the agenda. More than a trending topic, AI now serves as a strategic lens for business leaders – interlinked with governance, investment decisions, and leadership evolution. Participants engaged with successful family business leaders and AI and tech experts on topics like:
- leveraging AI and data analytics to drive business decision making;
- integrating AI into wealth management;
- navigating AI ethics; and
- leading effectively in a tech-driven future.
This emphasis on AI and technology reflects the growing imperative for next-generation leaders to harness AI for innovation, resilience and long-term value creation for their family businesses.
This year’s Programme also featured expert-led sessions, delving into areas such as effective leadership within multigenerational business, strategies to scale the impact of family businesses and unlocking the complexities of family business dynamics and governance.
The Ownership Project 2.0: Private Capital Owners & Impact at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School added further depth to the 2025 Programme. Helmed by Dr Bridget Kustin, Director of this global research initiative, the session was anchored upon research on private capital ownership and family business impact. Discussions explored responsible ownership practices and strategies to identify unique impact potential, and the real challenges of stewarding family wealth across generations.
Dr Bridget Kustin shared, “Family enterprise is a backbone of global business activity. Family owners’ inherent interest in legacy, community, and intergenerational time frames for value creation favour responsible ownership. I’m grateful that financial institutions like UOB are recognising the need to support the next generation of responsible family owners through educational programmes that can challenge and inspire. In translating our global family business research data and theory into actionable insights for Programme participants, we equip them with the skills and mindsets needed to navigate this quickly changing world.”
This year participants also had the opportunity to experience the academic and cultural heritage of Oxford, staying at St Edmund Hall and engaging with leading minds at Saïd Business School, Magdalen College, and Balliol College. They also enjoyed a series of industry immersion experiences to broaden their global perspective, including a visit to UK’s top-ranked startup hub at Founders Factory, along with other iconic cultural locations.
Mr Lim, one of this year’s participants, shared, “From exploring the applications of AI to reflecting on family business stewardship and gaining strategic insights at Macfarlanes on private and family wealth, the programme was a masterclass in technology and next-generation leadership. Engaging with peers from diverse family business backgrounds, against the inspiring settings of Oxford and London, provided fresh perspectives and meaningful lifelong connections I hope to carry forward.”
Award-winning Next Gen Programme in its fifth run since 2020
Launched in Singapore in 2020, UOB Private Bank’s Next Gen Programme was created to cater to the growing need among UHNW clients to equip the next generation with essential wealth management competencies to protect their family legacies. With its strong ASEAN footprint and proven expertise in wealth management, UOB Private Bank is well positioned to engage early with next-generation leaders early, not only as a knowledge partner, but also as a conduit for seamless intergenerational wealth transitions.
UOB Private Bank’s Next Gen Programme is differentiated by its partnerships with renowned academic providers and industry experts, These provide global business insights and perspectives, empowering next-generation leaders with the skills, knowledge and outlook needed to grow and sustain their family business in a rapidly changing world.
The Programme also offers a platform for participants to build their network with like-minded leaders. To drive long-term engagement, participants are enrolled into an alumni network comprising UOB Private Bank’s leadership team, industry professionals, mentors and peers. Currently more than 50 alumni strong, this peer network facilitates a continuous exchange of ideas, experience and strategies among the next-generation of leaders, with UOB Private Bank providing support through advisory services and tailored wealth management solutions.
UOB Private Bank is committed to securing the long-term interest of its clients, remaining steadfast in its dedication to supporting Asian UHNW families in their intergenerational wealth transfer planning.
