TESTIMONIALS

What Our Clients Are Saying

Mr. and Mrs. S.
Business owner.
Client since
2003

We first came to Northwood in 2003 after we had sold our family business. We weren’t exactly sure what we needed at the time, but Northwood has worked with us to build a comprehensive strategy for our family and our wealth, including investments, tax, insurance, estate planning, holdco management and family development. I don’t have to worry about all the individual pieces since they are all taken care of. Everything is 100% up-to-date and very well organized. They also focus on what is good for our family, not on their own interests, because they don’t sell any products. And they seem to make a lot of things uncomplicated. They are a perfect match from my perspective. In fact, it has all worked out even better than I thought it would and I am very pleased to be a Northwood client.

Mr. K.
Business owner. Private investor.
Client since
2003

In 2003, I was looking for an advisor not just a money manager. I owned a number of private businesses and needed someone who could help me on all of my integrated affairs, not just my public investment portfolio, and who I could trust completely. I have now dealt with Northwood for over 20 years. I realize that I no longer worry about my investments. I used to pore through broker reports every Saturday morning, but now I have the confidence of a high quality portfolio carefully selected and managed by Northwood. They also look after all of the other details of my financial life, and ensure that my spouse is involved and informed along the way. Northwood has excellent people, they have delivered great low-risk performance, and they provide tremendous service in every area. They have earned my trust.

Mr. and Mrs. S.
Business owners.
Client since
2003

We sold our business in 2002 and quickly realized we were going to need some financial assistance with our newfound liquidity. It was easy when our wealth was wrapped up in the business since I knew how to control that, but now we were going to have to make decisions that extended beyond our comfort zone. I was worried about ‘not knowing what I didn’t know’. It made sense to try to find a partner who knew about all these things and could provide the expertise to make it all happen. We explored a number of options and decided to go with Northwood because of the complete package they offered and our confidence that they could look after all of this for us. We were looking for a long-term relationship.

Northwood oversees our complete financial affairs. I am comforted that all elements are under control. For example;

  • Set up and maintenance of family trusts
  • Regular estate (will) updating guidance including consideration of cross-estate implications
  • Regular overall insurance guidance including, life insurance, home/car/medical insurance etc
  • Consulting services on private equity opportunities
  • Guidance and coordination of ongoing bookkeeping services
  • Facilitation and guidance of family meetings
  • Financial education for our children and ourselves
  • Cashflow analysis
  • Tax & administration support
  • Investment management

Most firms are focused only on investment management. While that is also key for Northwood, they also understand that non-investment areas are just as critical to be able to sleep soundly at night.

If someone asked me for my recommendation in choosing an advisor, I would tell them “Pick Northwood. You can’t go wrong.”


ABC Foundation.
Charitable foundation.
Client since
2004

We have been working with Northwood Family Office since 2004. During this time period they have effectively managed our portfolio of investments during both bull and bear markets. As a charitable organization that requires a portion of our investment income for operational purposes, we required a balanced approach to our investments. Taking time to understand our particular needs and matching those needs to a structured investment portfolio understanding both growth, income and risk requirements has resulted in significant portfolio appreciation with below average volatility.

Northwood meets with us regularly to ensure that our needs have not changed and that the portfolios are meeting our objectives. With a solid and trusted relationship we have approached them to assist in other operational issues in which innovative financial solutions have been needed. They have assisted us in solution development and provided expert advice and assistance in implementing these changes.

We look forward to a continued partnership with Northwood and would recommend prospective new clients, especially charitable organizations and foundations, seriously consider using Northwood for their portfolio management.

Mr. T.
Private investor.
Client since
2005

I became a Northwood client in 2005. My experience with my previous advisors was a series of peaks and valleys, and ultimately significant losses, in my investment portfolio. By contrast, over the past decade or more with Northwood, I have seen steady growth and protection against the downside — not ‘home runs’, but solid performance and advice that I trust and believe in. They pay careful attention to ensure that our wealth is invested in a way that is suitable for our needs. There is no incentive for them to put us in anything that is overly risky or to generate additional fees. Their fee approach is aligned with our interests. Northwood takes a holistic approach to our overall financial affairs, they maintain a diligent focus on all of the detail and they are quick to respond. I have referred them to other families and will continue to do so.

Mr. and Mrs. H.
Partner, management consulting firm.
Client since
2009

As a result of a combination of mortgage debt and high exposure to equity markets, despite high employment income we suddenly found ourselves in a rather unexpected financial position as stocks collapsed in the global financial crisis in 2008. This unexpected change in our fortunes made us realize we needed to approach things in a different way. It seemed that our goals (providing for family, investing in charities, achieving financial peace of mind) were out of whack with our actions (chasing returns which led to aggressive investing and higher risk than we needed).

Since engaging Northwood, my wife and I have made significant positive progress. We have made an important mindset shift from trying to maximize returns to understanding what we need, and working backward from there. There has also been a marked shift in our peace of mind, knowing that we have a plan and that our Northwood partners have our best interests at heart. Northwood offers thoughtful advice across a whole set of factors including goal setting, a holistic view of our net worth, wealth protection, portfolio management, and tax-advantaged giving.

I fully and unreservedly recommend Northwood Family Office. The organization exudes integrity and professionalism from top to bottom. My only regret is that we didn’t move to Northwood sooner.

Mr. P.
CEO of family-owned company.
Client since
2010

Northwood is very good at managing our investments and looking after our whole financial ecosystem, but that’s not all they do. They understand our family dynamics and relationships, they educate our next generation, they have helped us effectively manage our family councils and trustees and embrace a culture of legacy. They have also played an important role in coordinating all of our various advisors to ensure that the important things get done. Many advisors and institutions promise this integrated service, but Northwood actually delivers it. I have enthusiastically recommended Northwood to other families.

Mrs. M.
Wealth owner. Philanthropist.
Client since
2012

We did a lot of research into wealth management firms and selected Northwood. We needed somebody who could work through a complex portfolio and come out the other side with something clear, succinct and relatively simple. What a fabulous unexpected bonus when we found somebody who could handle our adult kids! Northwood is also skilled at handling and negotiating differences between spouses.

Mr. and Mrs. M.
Retired corporate executive.
Client since
2018

We value having all of our affairs in one place, and the coordination that takes place across disciplines and with other professionals. We have been so happy with the service received and appreciate the following:

  • The Northwood team understands the overall objectives for the family and makes recommendations accordingly
  • Our financial affairs are kept organized and orderly, and we heavily rely on and value the discipline that’s provided by tracking ongoing tasks and meeting quarterly
  • Access to economies of scale Northwood provides, such as the ability to access alternative investments with lower capital commitments
  • Northwood helps strengthen the governance of the family wealth, including how to transition that wealth smoothly to future generations
  • The value from a cost perspective – we pay about the same price if not lower for the full set of Northwood services as many people do simply for investment management
Mr. and Mrs. R.
Retired senior corporate executive.
Client since
2013

We feel really fortunate to be involved with a firm like Northwood. We like having all our information in one place so we don’t have to worry about things. It’s also great to have a plan, for good times and bad, and someone to keep us on track. And we really like the family aspect as well, and that our adult children can access help as well when they need it. And I know that if something happened to me, my spouse and the family would be in good hands.

It is great to deal with Northwood because they have a number of clients in similar type situations to us. Northwood has the expertise and experience and has ‘seen it all before’. We find the Northwood staff extremely wise and professional, and they are very accessible and get back to us quickly.

We also like the fact that Northwood does not manage the money themselves but rather, hires and rides herd on the investment managers on our behalf. We like the objectivity and the fact that they sweat the details for us.

They have relieved all the stress I had about watching my investments and managing our financial details. Quite simply, they provide us with confidence that everything is looked after. We feel good every time we come out of a meeting with Northwood.

Mr. R.
Executive.
Client since
2016

We are able to sleep well knowing our portfolio is managed in a professional, rigorous manner and this confidence comes from the following:

  • All Northwood executives are always accessible and approachable to answer questions
  • Northwood brings forward new investment opportunities which always go through a rigorous analysis before being presented
  • Northwood is a valuable resource given exposure to family issues with their other clients
  • They always adhere to the agreed-upon investment strategy
  • The team is very proactive and professional in dealing with key priorities and concerns
  • Their cash flow planning tools are extremely valuable for personal planning
  • The strategies and guidance are invaluable during challenging economic times
  • The executives are good listeners
  • The investment funds are well managed by Northwood and the managers are held accountable for their performance

 

Thank you for your professionalism and help, it is so much appreciated.