Sanford DeLand under EC Pohl: What it means for UK paraplanners

The rise of the family office model

Australia's wealth management landscape is shifting. An increasing number of high-net-worth families are moving away from traditional private banking and advisory models in favour of the family office structure, a model that prioritises alignment, transparency, and long-term thinking over product distribution.

Jason Pohl, Managing Director of EC Pohl & Co, spoke with Financial Standard about why this shift is accelerating and what it means for families seeking a different approach to managing capital.

Why families are making the move

The traditional wealth management model has served many families well, but a growing number are finding the limitations hard to ignore:

• Product-driven advice that prioritises fees over outcomes
• High staff turnover meaning relationships rarely last beyond a few years
• Lack of genuine co-investment from the managers themselves
• Complexity that obscures rather than clarifies

Pohl argues that the family office model addresses each of these concerns directly.

When you invest your own family's capital alongside your clients, every decision carries a different weight. You think in decades, not quarters. You measure success differently.

What makes the EC Pohl & Co model distinct

EC Pohl & Co was established first and foremost as a vehicle to manage the Pohl family's own wealth. The firm's investment philosophy, research engine, and operational infrastructure were all built with the family's own capital at stake.

The key principles

1. One philosophy applied consistently across all capital
2. Co-investment ensures genuine alignment of interests
3. Long tenure across the team builds institutional knowledge
4. Transparency in holdings, fees, and decision-making

Only after decades of refining this approach did the firm open its doors to a select number of external families who share similar values and time horizons.

Looking ahead

With the recent acquisition of UK-based Sanford DeLand Asset Management, EC Pohl & Co has extended its reach internationally while maintaining the same philosophical foundation. The group now manages over $3 billion across Australian and global strategies.

Important information

This article is reproduced for informational purposes. The views expressed are those of the individuals quoted and do not constitute financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.