On May 12, the Citywealth Forum brought together nearly 100 high-level professionals in London for a day of panel discussions and networking focused on UHNW wealth management. A decidedly corporate event, attended by Magali Jacquet-Lagrèze, Director of Communications at CFM Indosuez Wealth Management. She represented the AMAF—Commission for the Promotion of the Financial Center—during a panel discussion featuring representatives from Hong Kong, Barbados, and Monaco.
The forum brought together nearly a hundred participants—a figure that clearly reflects the selective and targeted nature of the event. We were in a purely corporate, B2B setting. Those present were professionals from private banking, asset management, family offices, law, and financial intermediation—whose job is to advise UHNWIs on their wealth management and residency decisions. The discussions were substantive, and the panelists were experts in their fields.
The moderator—a banker specializing in complex risks—gave the floor to Monaco first, which was already a positive sign. I was able to present the Principality’s strengths: its political and fiscal stability, its level of financial expertise, its quality of life, its proximity to major European capitals, and its growing focus on responsible finance. This last point was particularly noted by the audience—Monaco’s legitimacy on this subject was highlighted, and it is a differentiating factor that resonates more and more with industry professionals. Discussions with the other financial centers represented confirmed that Monaco occupies a unique position: a singular combination of security, expertise, and quality of life, just two hours from London.
The most frequently asked question concerned the impact of the situation in the Middle East on Monaco’s attractiveness—a clear sign of interest in the Principality as a destination for capital seeking stability.
Yes, definitely. In a context where the UK has just gone through elections with potential tax changes on the horizon, Monaco’s political and fiscal stability is seen as a concrete advantage. Another panel discussion that day focused specifically on tax developments—and it is in this context that Monaco stands out as an island of predictability. The professionals in attendance, who advise high-net-worth clients, need to know that the financial center they recommend won’t change its policies after every election result. Monaco offers that guarantee. This appeal was clearly recognized by the Forum’s organizers, who invited the AMAF for the first time this year.
When addressing an audience of intermediaries whose clientele is predominantly based in the United Kingdom, the arguments that resonated most strongly were geographical proximity—Monaco is a two-hour flight from London—combined with favorable tax treatment, a recognized level of financial expertise, and an incomparable Mediterranean quality of life. For advisors recommending a destination to their UHNWI clients, the location must be financially credible, politically stable, and desirable for daily life, with a very high level of security for their families. This is the case with Monaco. And these professionals know it: several told me during the networking sessions that they were already steering some of their clients toward the Principality.
Networking was a central focus of the day, carefully structured by the organizers, who personally facilitated connections among participants. A lunch provided an opportunity to continue discussions before the afternoon roundtables resumed—followed by dinner. This well-paced program reflects a clear commitment to creating conditions for meaningful exchange, far beyond the simple framework of a conference event. The Citywealth Forum in London has been held annually for over 20 years—the regularity and quality of the event make it a particularly relevant platform for institutional presence for the AMAF.
