Family Office Exchange’s efforts to expand globally were underscored today as the Chicago-based organization of wealthy families and private investors named Alexandre Monnier as its new president.

Family Office Exchange’s efforts to expand globally were underscored today as the Chicago-based organization of wealthy families and private investors named Alexandre Monnier as its new president.

FOX was looking for an executive who understood both the global wealth marketplace and private investors who don’t have a family office, two keys to the organization’s future, FOX founder and chief executive Sara Hamilton told Family Wealth Report.

The French-born Monnier’s international experience and understanding of the private wealth market was “very appealing,” Hamilton said.

Monnier most recently was managing director at PinnacleCare, a company that provides private health services to wealthy clients. He was also a managing director of Bombardier Skyjet, the private jet charter business of Bombardier Aerospace, and before taking that position, spent ten years as a management consultant. He began his career as a financial analyst for Societe Generale in New York.

He replaces John Benevides, who left FOX in 2010 and is now president of Harris myCFO.

New initiatives

Monnier is expected to play “a significant role” in FOX’s upcoming initiatives, which include the launch of its new “Wealth Center” website, the introduction of three new advisor directories, the expansion of its workshop series and expanding membership overseas.

FOX currently has an office in London, and is discussing four “strategic alliances or joint ventures” with organizations in Europe, Asia and Latin America, Hamilton said.

The new website will make content such as white papers and executive summaries available to subscribers for an annual fee, which Hamilton would not disclose. A basic membership fee to FOX is $12,500 annually.

FOX also plans to target more “business-owning families,” Hamilton said and beef up its education programs, especially those focusing on a single topic such as “training family trustees.”

The organization has also had a “great response” from programs that “bring wealth owners together,” such as the FOX Global Investment Forum, being held in New York this week, according to Hamilton. In addition to listening to presentations about investment strategies, the conference is devoting one full day to allowing FOX members to discuss family-sponsored investment opportunities that other members may be interested in.

Asked about succession plans for the 23-year old organization, Hamilton, who is 61, said FOX is taking steps “to allow us to sustain independence,” but that she has no plans to step down anytime soon. “I’m going to be around for a good while yet,” she said.

And what are FOX members most concerned about? “Managing uncertainty, without a doubt,” Hamilton said.