NK TEAM INTERVIEW
David Chapelle, HEAD OF WEALTH MANAGEMENT & FAMILY WEALTH SOLUTIONS
- Could you introduce yourself, share your background, your role at Norman K, and provide more details about the Family Wealth Solutions division?
Before joining Norman K in September 2023, I spent 13 years at Société Générale, working between Paris and Monaco, after earning my master’s degree in wealth management. During this time, I held various roles, including private banker, credit advisor, and corporate account manager. These diverse experiences shaped my expertise and deepened my interest in supporting business leaders and entrepreneurial families. This focus led me to prioritize a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary approach to addressing both private and professional wealth challenges. When I met Norman K’s founders, we immediately shared a common vision: offering a holistic, independent, and personalized approach to serving this demanding clientele.
As a co-creator of the Family Wealth Solutions department with Sandrine Quilici, I took on the leadership of this division, complementing the firm’s existing services. We developed this offering to centralize Norman K’s expertise and provide clients with a structured approach, covering both wealth and family-related matters. Thanks to the rapid growth of this division and synergies with the Wealth Management team, I subsequently assumed responsibility for both departments.
- What are the main challenges faced by the Family Wealth Solutions division, and how do you address them?
Despite its recent launch, the Family Wealth Solutions division has quickly garnered significant interest from clients and partners. To address the complexity and diversity of needs, we offer a wide range of in-house expertise. This enables us to handle strategic issues spanning private wealth, corporate structures, and more cross-disciplinary concerns. A major challenge lies in efficiently coordinating our internal teams with clients’ external partners, such as advisors or banks. We’ve adjusted our organization to ensure high levels of quality and satisfaction in executing our missions.
Another challenge is establishing our identity. Norman K Family Wealth Solutions cannot be reduced to a multi-family office, even though this field is highly diversified, with varied structures. Similarly, it goes well beyond traditional wealth planning. We assist our clients in managing complex, interconnected strategic issues while leveraging Norman K’s ecosystem. This distinctive approach has positioned us as a centralized solution for independent professionals seeking support for the diverse needs of entrepreneurial families they serve.
- How do you collaborate with the Wealth Planning team led by Sandrine Quilici?
Wealth planning is a cornerstone of our approach. Whether addressing family governance, succession, or legal and tax structuring, these matters are central to our clients’ priorities. As such, we work closely with Sandrine’s team. Our daily interactions ensure consistent and thorough responses to clients’ challenges, sometimes even uncovering previously unrecognized issues. Creating the Family Wealth Solutions department alongside Sandrine was a natural step to provide continuity and a comprehensive vision for our clients.
- What would be your top three pieces of advice for families and private investors?
Three key pieces of advice come to mind: anticipate, seek support, and be bold.
Anticipate, as wealth management requires careful planning. Seek support, as it’s essential to rely on trusted advisors and experts who can guide you through complex decisions. Finally, be bold, as calculated risk-taking can be a decisive asset when seizing wealth and entrepreneurial opportunities.
- What trends do you see among independent wealth management professionals?
We’re witnessing a growing demand for highly personalized services, where every client benefits from a tailored strategy designed for their specific needs. These clients expect long-term support, often across multiple generations, and seek expertise in diverse, specialized areas. The internationalization of wealth and families adds another layer of complexity, requiring advanced legal, tax, and governance expertise, along with precise coordination among global stakeholders.
- To conclude, could you tell us about your role as Head of Wealth Management at Norman K and potential synergies with the Family Wealth Solutions division?
The Wealth Management division is experiencing strong growth, driven by our ability to meet clients’ unique needs through an integrated, fully personalized approach. Discussions with our Wealth Managers often start with a specific project, such as investing proceeds from a business sale. Thanks to the synergies we’ve developed with Family Wealth Solutions, we can identify broader issues beyond the initial request. This allows us to extend our support by offering comprehensive, strategic solutions that give clients a clear, integrated view of their wealth, embodying the one-stop-shop philosophy of Norman K.