Strategies around building and maintaining a direct investment function in a family office

Edward Marshall is joined by Molly Simmons, founding partner of McFarland Partners, a boutique firm focused on business strategies and private investments in the family office realm. Molly is a seasoned family office executive and has spent decades working with closely held businesses and has served on over 30 public and private boards. Prior to McFarland, she was a managing director of investments at a large multi-billion dollar single-family office, and served as a general partner in two private equity funds. Edward and Molly discuss the formation of an investment function in a family office and best practices involving the investment team’s role in a family office. Molly provides insight into successful direct investing in the family office context, as well as tips on avoiding common pitfalls. They also discuss diligence factors family offices should consider with potential investment ideas.