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An unprecedented shift is underway in the global wealth landscape. Maturing generations, having accumulated significant wealth as a result of economic factors — such as booming property markets — are beginning to pass assets down to Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. As a result, wealth management professionals across EMEA are preparing for one of the largest intergenerational wealth transfers in history.
By 2030, an estimated $3.5 trillion will be transferred within Europe alone. In the UK, that figure is expected to reach £7 trillion by 2050.1 Globally, the total is projected to reach $18.3 trillion.2 While North America accounts for the majority — $10.6 trillion, or nearly 60% of the global total — Europe is set to see more wealth change hands than Asia, despite having fewer individuals classed as ultra-high-net-worth.3
This reflects broader demographic trends, as an ageing population, increased wealth accumulation, and longer lifespans are fuelling the transition.4 And while much of the conversation has focused on the scale of the transfer, how will EMEA wealth managers respond when it comes to meeting the expectations of the next generation?
A new generation needs a new approach
The next generation to control wealth, assets, and investment decisions are bringing different values, behaviours, and demands to the table. According to UK financial journalism platform Money Marketing, “Gen Z is not just inheriting wealth; they are redefining investment priorities.” Many are focused on sustainable investing, with a growing number “prioritising environmental, social, or ethical considerations in their financial decisions.”5
But the shift isn’t only about what clients invest in, it is also expected to change how the next generation of clients engage with their wealth management advisors. With society’s shift towards on-demand content, the wealth management industry is noticing similar trends in what’s expected of performance reporting.
“The Gen Z population is diverse and digitally savvy,” said FINRA Foundation President Gerri Walsh, when launching the report, ‘Gen Z and Investing: Social Media, Crypto, FOMO, and Family’. “They are using mobile technology to enter the financial markets in unprecedented numbers and consulting a wide range of information sources as they do so.”6
Digital experience is non-negotiable
Having grown up as digital natives, fluency with technology is a defining feature of the next generation of wealth management clients. “Beyond investment preferences, digital engagement is key. Gen Z has grown up in an era of slick apps and on-demand services and expects the same level of digital accessibility from wealth managers.”7
But what does this mean in practice? Clients want seamless, real-time, and highly accessible services. “Wealth managers must offer a seamless digital experience — through user-friendly apps, real-time portfolio tracking, news, and insights — to remain relevant.”8 More traditional communication approaches, such as quarterly PDFs and in-person meetings, may no longer suffice.
Other notable traits of newer generations include a tendency towards being more global and mobile. With the boom in remote working, the rise of digital nomads and cheaper air travel, regular travelling and migrating is more common. According to the Wealth X Family Wealth Transfer report: “New wealthy generations have often lived, worked, or studied in more than one country and tend to be more aware and informed of matters at an international level.”9 For EMEA firms in particular, this adds another layer of complexity — and opportunity — when it comes to serving cross-border clients.
Using technology to navigate complexity across EMEA
For wealth management professionals, it is clear that this generational shift is a signal to modernise. Meeting the needs of younger clients means delivering a more modern, future-facing experience — and technology is key to making that happen. In the EMEA region, the opportunity and the complexity are particularly evident. Clients often hold assets across multiple jurisdictions, making transparency and consolidation key. At the same time, differing local regulations and diverse cultural nuances can vary widely within the region.
This is where cutting-edge technology becomes essential. A flexible, data-driven platform helps firms stay aligned with differing requirements while delivering a consistent, high-quality client experience. For example, features such as multi-currency tools, on-the-go portal communication, automated performance reporting, AI and automated data aggregation tools, can all enable smarter, faster decision-making, better client engagement, and enhanced operational efficiency. These innovative technological solutions will help firms keep up with Gen Z — and maximise new opportunities when it comes to the investment potential of the next generation across EMEA.
Platforms like Addepar that offer consolidated, timely data are likely to be particularly valuable going forward. They make it easier to track complex portfolios, respond quickly to market shifts, and deliver transparent reporting without delay.
Personalisation, led by technology
Another defining expectation of the next generation is personalisation. Next-generation clients increasingly want services that reflect their goals, values, and preferences. Utilising data to create personalised investment strategies is becoming a standard expectation among clients.
Customisation is increasingly important, and many Gen Z and Millennial investors are looking for highly personalised services — from portfolio construction to communication preferences.”10 This includes everything from preferred channels and formats to the types of insights they receive.
Data makes this level of personalisation a possibility. With a platform like Addepar, firms can consolidate fragmented information and use it to build a complete picture of client wealth. Advisors are increasingly able to deliver tailored advice at scale, freeing them to focus on client relationships rather than administrative processes.
Looking ahead
The great wealth transfer is already underway, and its impact will be felt across the EMEA wealth management landscape for years to come. For firms that want to remain relevant — and competitive — meeting the expectations of the next generation will require more than small adjustments. It calls for a rethinking of the entire client experience.
Technology can be the enabler. From real-time data to personalised digital interactions, firms that invest in the right tools today will be best placed to build lasting relationships in the future.
To find out more about how Addepar can help your firm meet the needs of the next generation, get in touch.
References
“How Gen Z is changing the face of wealth management”, Money Marketing, 2025.
“Navigating the great wealth transfer”, Vanguard, 2024.
“New Wealth-X report reveals a staggering level of wealth transfer leading up to 2030”, Wealth-X, 2021.
“Navigating the great wealth transfer”, Vanguard, 2024.
“How Gen Z is changing the face of wealth management”, Money Marketing, 2025.
“FINRA Foundation-CFA Institute Research Focuses on Gen Z Investors”, FINRA, 2023.
“How Gen Z is changing the face of wealth management”, Money Marketing, 2025.
“How Gen Z is changing the face of wealth management”, Money Marketing, 2025.
“New Wealth-X report reveals a staggering level of wealth transfer leading up to 2030”, Wealth-X, 2021.
“How Gen Z is changing the face of wealth management”, Money Marketing, 2025.