When the first Saffery Trust office opened in Guernsey in 1977, it was just two short years after women in the UK were granted the right to open a bank account, own a credit card, or take out a loan (including a mortgage) in their own name. Nearly 50 years, and four more Saffery Trust offices, later, women now reportedly hold 40% of global wealth.
Despite owning close to half of the world’s wealth, however, women make up just 13% of billionaires, and only 11% of the ultra-high-net-worth individual (HNWI) population. This reflects the demographics of settlors amongst our clients, with men in the majority.
What we are seeing, however, are women increasingly holding a seat at the table when it comes to discussing and managing family wealth. In my experience, when women do take an active role in managing family wealth, they are more often daughters than wives. This is particularly prevalent where daughters are university-educated, or have careers in finance, indicating that education and professional experience may be a driving factor, rather than changes to traditional inheritance structures.
There are several factors which are seeing women play a more active and influential role as both wealth creators and managers.
Inheritance
A significant factor contributing to women’s growing financial influence is the demographic reality that women often outlive men. This longevity has positioned women, particularly Baby Boomer widows, to inherit significant wealth from their spouses.
Estimates suggest that over the next few decades, widowed women are expected to inherit approximately $40 trillion as part of the broader $124 trillion wealth transfer globally. Notably, more than half of this inheritance ($21 trillion) will come from high-net-worth spouses.
Entrepreneurship
The rise in female entrepreneurship and women’s entry into higher-paid, traditionally male-dominated industries have contributed to an increase in female millionaires. In 2022, for example, women aged 16-25-years-old founded nearly 17,500 businesses, more than 22x greater than in 2018.
In Australia, the number of female millionaires is growing at nearly double the rate of their male counterparts. This trend underscores women’s expanding role in wealth creation and management.
In recent years, women have increasingly taken on more active and influential roles in managing family wealth, marking a significant shift in financial dynamics. This evolution is evident across various domains, from inheritance patterns to investment strategies and property ownership.
Financial decision-making and investment
Women are increasingly taking the leading role as primary decision-makers of investment choices for their household. As of February 2025, more than two-thirds (69%) of female consumers report taking this role.
Not only are more women investing, they are also leading the way, with women starting at an average age of 32, compared to 35 for men. Women are also shaping investment trends, demonstrating a preference for aligning their portfolios with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles; 71% of women said they consider sustainability in their investment decisions, compared to just 58% of men.
As women continue to gain financial influence, their impact is being felt across various sectors, from philanthropy to boardroom leadership and beyond.
Luxury real estate and property ownership
In the luxury real estate market, women, referred to as “she-elites”, are emerging as significant players. Women with a net worth of $5m or more now own 15.2% of high-priced residential properties in the United States and are actively involved in buying and selling luxury homes. This trend reflects women’s growing financial independence and influence in high-stakes investment arenas.
Financial independence and education
Advocates like Gina Miller emphasise the importance of financial independence for women to prevent financial abuse and ensure security. Miller encourages women to engage in investment activities and financial planning, highlighting that financial independence is crucial for women’s safety and security.
Philanthropy
Women are playing a significant role in shaping the future of philanthropy, with female wealth-holders increasingly directing their capital towards social impact initiatives. Research suggests that women are more likely than men to donate to charitable causes, particularly those related to education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. Many high-profile female philanthropists, such as MacKenzie Scott and Melinda French Gates, have demonstrated the power of wealth in driving meaningful social change.
Leadership in wealth management
Beyond managing their own wealth, more women are stepping into leadership roles within private banking, wealth management, and trust services. This is something we see within our own offices at Saffery Trust, with female team members accounting for most staff at assistant manager level and above. However, whilst progress is undoubtedly being made in middle-management, the fact remains that women hold just 29% of C-Suite positions (senior executives roles and corporate titles starting with “Chief”). This serves as a reminder that there is still a way to go before we see true gender equality in key-decision-making positions within the corporate world.
Female financial advisors and wealth managers are on the rise, with studies showing that women in these roles often take a more holistic, long-term approach to wealth preservation. As clients, women are also more likely to seek advice from wealth professionals, reinforcing the need for service providers to offer tailored financial planning, prioritise relationship-based advisory services, and ensure greater gender diversity within their teams to better meet the evolving needs of female wealth holders.
The future of female wealth holders
Looking ahead, the financial landscape is set to continue evolving as women take a more proactive role in wealth management. With the ongoing generational wealth transfer, the rise of female entrepreneurs, and a growing emphasis on sustainable investing, the influence of women in wealth is only expected to expand.
Why then, are trust and corporate service providers, not yet seeing any substantial shift from traditional patriarchal wealth ownership?
A key factor is that most clients thinking about trusts for wealth and succession planning are aged 50 and above, meaning this generational trend may take some time to emerge in our market.
Given the current trajectory, trustees and wealth managers should expect to see the impact in the next two decades, with female clients shaping the future of the wealth industry in a way that is more representative of their growing financial power.
This allows plenty of time for trust and corporate services providers to build adaptive strategies to avoid falling short of client expectations. Whether through succession planning, investments, or bespoke wealth structuring services, ensuring that women feel empowered and supported in their financial decisions will be crucial in shaping the next era of wealth management.
