Navigating Risk, Compliance, and Technology in Family Offices | TIGER 21 Chair on Nasdaq TradeTalks

As family offices grow in complexity, areas like governance, compliance, and risk management have become more critical than ever. In a recent Nasdaq TradeTalks interview, Chris Cecil, Family Office and Charlotte TIGER 21 Chair and Founder & President of Biltmore Family Office, LLC, joined other industry experts and host Jill Malandrino to discuss strategies for strengthening family office structures and leveraging emerging AI technologies to mitigate risk.

Chris emphasized that while many family offices are technically well-structured, key aspects often get neglected over time. Trusts, legal frameworks, and financial structures must be precisely maintained, yet they are frequently set aside — leading to accountability gaps, conflicts, and governance breakdowns. Without clear communication about intent, family offices risk losing effectiveness, creating one of their biggest long-term challenges.

From a legal standpoint, compliance failures and outdated trust documents can result in costly litigation. Many beneficiaries do not realize for years that their family office has deviated from its original agreements, exposing the family to legal and financial risks.

Meanwhile, AI is transforming family office operations by enhancing compliance monitoring, due diligence, and governance through real-time data analysis. AI can:

• Summarize and cross-reference trust agreements
• Identify anomalies in due diligence processes
• Secure sensitive data with private generative AI models

As alternative investments—from oil deals to music royalties and nuclear energy—become more prevalent, traditional risk management approaches are no longer sufficient. The discussion underscored the need for fiduciary responsibilities to evolve alongside investment strategies, ensuring family offices remain structured, secure, and future-ready.

Watch the full Nasdaq TradeTalks interview to explore these insights in depth.

Beyond expert insights, TIGER 21’s Family Office Group provides an exclusive opportunity for principal leaders of single family offices to gather in Meetings, giving Members the chance to dive deeply into issues with peers who navigate similar challenges. Through confidential discussions, Members gain firsthand insights from peers who manage large multi-generational assets and face distinct challenges — creating a unique environment to learn from real-world experience.