François de Visscher, co-founder and Executive Chairman of FODIS, joins me to discuss how family offices approach direct investing. We cover the opportunities and challenges families face, how to avoid common pitfalls, and the keys to sustaining wealth across generations.

In this episode of Partnering to Create Wealth, François shares lessons from 45 years of advising families worldwide — from the importance of strategy over opportunism, to how direct investments can reinforce a family’s identity, and why stewardship goes beyond financial capital.

Key Takeaways:

• How François’ family business roots shaped his career.
• The founding of FODIS and its role as an outsourcing arm for family offices.
• Why direct investments can reinforce a family’s identity and cohesion.
• The balance between family offices and private equity — partners and competitors.
• The importance of strategy over opportunism in direct investments.
• François’ SGA framework (Stability, Growth, Agility) for building trans-generational wealth.