Navigating salary expectations in the UK family office sector can be challenging, particularly where roles, responsibilities and office structures vary widely. This guide provides 2026 salary benchmarks for more than 25 roles across UK single and multi-family offices.
Salaries range from GBP 65,000 for senior private-support roles to GBP 250,000 for executive, tax, finance and operational leadership positions. The figures reflect base pay currently offered and accepted through live Achieve Professionals mandates.
Salary levels vary by seniority, location, office complexity, investment remit, international responsibilities and the overall benefits package. Use the role-by-role benchmarks below to compare current market expectations.
UK Family Office Salary Benchmarks 2026
Executive Leadership
| Role | Salary Range |
| Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director | £150,000 – £200,000 |
| Chief of Staff | £150,000 – £200,000 |
| Chief Operating Officer | £150,000 – £250,000 |
| Head of Family Office / Principal Representative | £120,000 – £150,000 |
Investment & Wealth Leadership
| Role | Salary Range |
| Investment Director | £120,000 – £180,000 |
| Chief Investment Officer | £120,000 – £180,000 |
| Portfolio Manager | £100,000 – £150,000 |
| Wealth Director | £130,000 – £200,000 |
Finance & Tax Leadership
| Role | Salary Range |
| Chief Financial Officer | £120,000 – £220,000 |
| Head of Finance | £100,000 – £180,000 |
| Financial Controller | £80,000 – £140,000 |
| Tax Director | £130,000 – £250,000 |
Operations & Principal Support
| Role | Salary Range |
| Head of Operations | £100,000 – £180,000 |
| Office Manager | £70,000 – £90,000 |
| Senior Executive Assistant to Principal | £65,000 – £90,000 |
| Private PA to UHNW Principal | £65,000 – £90,000 |
Private Affairs Leadership
| Role | Salary Range |
| Lifestyle Manager | £75,000 – £90,000 |
| Head of Security / Risk | £80,000 – £100,000 |
| Head of Philanthropy | £90,000 – £150,000 |
All figures are indicative base-salary ranges in GBP. Total compensation may be higher where bonuses, carried interest, co-investment, accommodation, travel or other benefits apply. For full benchmarks including mid-level and junior roles, bonus structures, and benefits data, download the complete UK Family Office Salary Guide 2026 below.
Download the full UK Family Office Salary Guide 2026
Download the full UK Family Office Salary Guide 2026, including junior, mid-level, senior, bonus, and benefits benchmarks.
2026 Family Office Salary Trends
- Strategic leadership demand: Chief of Staff, COO, Finance Director and senior operations roles command higher pay where they combine governance, principal support and cross-border oversight.
- Technology and reporting capability: Demand is increasing for professionals who can work with secure reporting systems, portfolio data and confidential digital infrastructure, particularly within operations and investment-support roles.
- Global experience: International regulatory exposure, multilingual capability and experience supporting multi-jurisdictional structures can increase the value of senior hires.
- Impact investing and specialist expertise: Investment professionals with ESG, philanthropy or impact-investing experience may command a premium where those responsibilities form part of the family’s investment strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions – UK Family Office Salaries & Hiring 2026
A Chief of Staff in a UK family office typically earns between £150,000 and £200,000 base salary, depending on the size and complexity of the office. At larger multi-family offices or those with significant AUM, total compensation including discretionary bonus can reach £200,000 or above.
Investment Directors at UK family offices generally earn between £120,000 and £180,000 in base salary. Senior roles at principal-led single-family offices, where direct investment responsibility is higher, tend to sit at the upper end of that range or beyond.
A CFO at a UK family office typically earns between £120,000 and £220,000 base salary, depending on the complexity of the office. CFO-level roles with multi-entity structures, international holdings, or philanthropic arms tend to sit at the higher end of the range.
UK family offices can offer competitive pay for senior roles, particularly where a position combines investment, operational and principal-support responsibilities. Total compensation varies widely and may include bonus, co-investment, carried interest or non-cash benefits.
Demand for experienced family-office professionals remains strong in 2026, particularly in investment, finance, tax, operations and governance roles. Pay tends to increase where a role requires cross-border experience, complex structures or a high level of discretion.
Family-office hiring often requires a confidential, relationship-led search process because many suitable candidates are not actively applying for roles. Start by defining the scope of the role, reporting line, compensation structure, confidentiality requirements and any international responsibilities. For confidential support with a specific UK or international hire, contact Achieve Professionals’ Private Family Office team.
Related Resources
- Private Family Office Recruitment – how Achieve Professionals supports family office hiring across the UK and internationally
- The Role of the Chief of Staff in a Family Office – responsibilities, expectations, and what the market pays
- Cross-Border Family Office Recruitment – building teams across multiple jurisdictions
- How to Choose a Family Office Recruitment Firm – questions to ask before engaging a search partner
