By Bill Anderson, Senior Valuation Advisor & RICS Associate, Assetica — 2026-05-30
How single and multi-family offices in Dubai value their businesses, portfolios and assets across DIFC and ADGM, and why an independent valuation underpins governance, succession and regulatory compliance.
A family office valuation spans every asset class the family holds: operating businesses and trading companies, private equity and venture capital stakes, real estate portfolios and SPVs, listed and alternative investments, and intangible assets such as brands and intellectual property. The result is a single, reconciled view of total net worth that the family, its advisors and its regulators can rely on.
DIFC and ADGM operate under common-law frameworks that expect robust governance. Independent valuations support family councils and investment committees, satisfy regulatory and audit requirements, and provide arm's-length values for transfers between family members, foundations and DIFC Wills. Reports are prepared to RICS, IFRS and IVS standards.
Each asset class is valued using the appropriate methodology: DCF and market multiples for operating businesses, net asset value for private equity, RICS Red Book methods for real estate, and mark-to-market for liquid holdings. Values are consolidated and reconciled into a single report. Engagements typically run from two to ten weeks depending on complexity.
What is a family office valuation?
It is an independent, consolidated assessment of all assets a family controls, including businesses, private equity, real estate and investments, presented as a single net worth picture for governance, succession and compliance purposes.
Why do DIFC and ADGM family offices need independent valuations?
DIFC and ADGM expect strong governance. Independent valuations support investment decisions, satisfy regulatory and audit requirements, and provide defensible arm's-length values for transfers, foundations and DIFC Wills.
How long does a family office valuation take?
Most engagements take two to ten weeks depending on the number and complexity of assets, the quality of available information, and whether multiple jurisdictions are involved.