Introduction:

Choosing the right insurance and wealth planning adviser is one of the most consequential decisions a high-net-worth individual, family office, or corporate can make. Yet the questions that matter most — about independence, fees, risk management, and client fit — often go unasked in initial conversations.

At Sphere Private, we believe transparency builds trust. So we have answered the five questions our prospective clients ask most frequently — directly, honestly, and without qualification. Whether you are evaluating us for the first time or simply benchmarking what great independent advice looks like, these answers reflect exactly how we work and why it matters.

---

1. What is your approach to financial planning and advising?

At Sphere Private, our approach is built on three core principles: independence, discretion, and strategic alignment.

We do not believe in generic solutions. Every client arrives with a unique combination of assets, family dynamics, jurisdictional complexities, and long-term objectives. Our role is to understand that picture in its entirety — and then design bespoke life insurance and wealth planning structures that serve the client’s broader financial and estate planning goals precisely.

We operate independently from any single insurer or financial institution. That means we access the full global insurance market — from Bermuda to Singapore, London to Hong Kong — to identify the most suitable carriers, negotiate competitive terms, and place structures that are genuinely in the client’s best interest. Our advice is always objective, technically rigorous, and calibrated for the long term.

We also work collaboratively. Where clients have existing relationships with lawyers, accountants, investment managers, or trustees, we integrate seamlessly within that advisory ecosystem — adding specialist insurance and wealth structuring expertise without disrupting established relationships.

---

2. What type of clients do you typically work with?

Sphere Private works with a focused client base of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, and corporate groups who require specialist advice on high-value life insurance and wealth planning.

Our clients typically share several characteristics:

• Significant net worth with complex, often multi-jurisdictional asset structures
• Cross-border lives — residing, working, or holding assets across multiple countries
• Sophisticated planning needs including estate liquidity, succession, key-person protection, and premium financing
• A preference for independent, conflict-free advice rather than captive or bank-affiliated products
• An emphasis on discretion — they value confidentiality as much as technical expertise

Geographically, we serve clients across Dubai, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Singapore, and China — markets where internationally mobile families and business owners face the most complex planning environments. Whether we are advising a single-family office in Singapore, a business-owning family in Dubai, or a multi-generational enterprise spanning Geneva and Hong Kong, our approach remains consistent: objective, discreet, and strategically aligned with long-term objectives.

---

3. How do you handle risk management in financial planning?

Risk management sits at the heart of everything we do at Sphere Private — not as a compliance checkbox, but as a genuine strategic discipline.

Our risk management approach operates across four dimensions:

Protection Risk: We assess the client’s existing insurance coverage against their actual exposure — estate tax liabilities, business continuity risks, key-person dependencies, and succession vulnerabilities. Gaps are identified and addressed with precision-structured life insurance solutions.

Liquidity Risk: Illiquid assets — property, business interests, private equity — create timing risk in estate situations. We structure life insurance to generate immediate, tax-efficient liquidity exactly when it is needed, avoiding forced asset sales at sensitive moments.

Jurisdictional Risk: Clients operating across multiple countries face layered legal, tax, and succession risks. We work alongside legal and tax advisers to ensure that insurance structures are compliant, portable, and effective across all relevant jurisdictions.

Counterparty and Carrier Risk: We place coverage only with financially strong, internationally reputable carriers — rigorously assessed for solvency, ratings, and jurisdictional stability. We do not compromise on carrier quality regardless of pricing considerations.

In premium financing arrangements, we additionally stress-test structures across multiple interest rate and market scenarios to ensure long-term resilience.

---

4. Can you provide references from other businesses you’ve advised?

Absolute discretion is one of the most fundamental commitments we make to every client at Sphere Private. The nature of our work — involving sensitive family, estate, and business planning matters — means that client confidentiality is never negotiable.

We do not share client names, case details, or references without explicit prior consent. This is not merely a policy — it is a reflection of the trust that underpins every client relationship we hold.

What we can offer prospective clients instead:

• Introductions to existing clients who have voluntarily agreed to speak on our behalf, arranged on a case-by-case basis where appropriate
• Track record indicators — over 20 years of experience, 500+ clients served, and 500+ cross-border transactions completed across Dubai, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Singapore, and China
• Professional referrals from lawyers, accountants, trustees, and family office advisers who have worked alongside us on client engagements
• A detailed credentials conversation with our senior advisory team, including relevant experience in your specific jurisdiction, asset type, and planning context

We are happy to arrange a confidential introductory conversation at any time to discuss our experience in areas directly relevant to your situation.

---

5. What are your fees and how are they structured?

Sphere Private’s fee structure is designed to reflect the independent, conflict-free nature of our advisory model. We are transparent about how we are compensated because we believe that fee clarity is inseparable from genuine independence.

Our compensation typically takes one or more of the following forms depending on the nature of the engagement:

Advisory Retainer: For complex, multi-jurisdictional planning engagements requiring significant scoping, research, and coordination across legal and tax advisers, we may agree a fixed advisory retainer. This ensures our time and expertise are fully aligned with the client’s interests from the outset.

Insurance Brokerage Commission: For insurance placement mandates, we receive commission from the placing carrier upon policy inception. All commission arrangements are disclosed transparently to clients prior to placement. Our independence means we select carriers based on suitability and competitiveness — not commission levels.

Project-Based Fees: For defined-scope engagements — such as a specific estate planning review, premium financing assessment, or family office insurance audit — we may agree a fixed project fee.

We do not charge AUM fees. We do not earn trail commissions that create ongoing conflicts of interest. And we never recommend a structure or carrier because it is more profitable for us to do so.

Our fee conversation begins with a complimentary confidential consultation — so that both parties can assess fit, scope, and value before any commitment is made.

Back to Insights