Our colleague Alexander von der Vellen has just published his new book

On 1 September 2025 Alexander von der Vellen’s book “Trust – The Skill of Trusteeship in 16 Success Stories and 1 Failure”, co-authored by Frederick Kermisch, one of the world’s leading banking sales coach, was published. It is the first of two books written by Alexander on the subject of family wealth, with the second, “Stewardship”, dealing with the skills that wealthy families throughout history have developed to keep hold of their wealth over generations, out in October 2025.

"Trust” is a book about the skills required for effective trusteeship, told through 17 real cases that he has been involved in personally. Drawing on 25 years of experience, Alexander offers a calm, human portrait of what positive vehicles trusts can be for families, wealth, and purpose across generations. In doing so he draws a sharp contrast to the reputation of trusts so often put out by the media as vehicles for the corrupt and the criminal.

Each chapter of the book focuses on one essential quality of a good trustee, whether it is judgement, humility, discretion, adaptability, diligence, duty, loyalty or others. Sixteen cases show these virtues in successful action. One case ends in failure, thus revealing how family situations can swiftly unravel and wealth be destroyed when action is not taken. Frederick Kermisch then provides invaluable psychological insight into each chapter, delving into and explaining the inner workings of each aspect of trusteeship as it is laid bare.

The aim of the book was simple: help trustees, advisers and families think more clearly about responsibility, risk and stewardship. Alexander has kept the tone plain, with the minimum of jargon (and even for that there is a glossary at the back of the book). Whilst in no way giving legal advice, it was nevertheless meant to be useful and thought-provoking first, and elegant second.

Written with restraint and clarity, “Trust” is not a manual. It is a reflection for trustees, beneficiaries, and anyone who seeks to master the life skills that are necessary to make trusts succeed, because these are life skills as much as they are fiduciary ones.

Currently it is available in Kindle, paperback and hardback formats from Amazon, and an audiobook version will be out soon, read by the authors.

If you work in fiduciary practice, private banking, family governance or philanthropy, we hope this will be a working book on your desk. If you are a founder, beneficiary or family principal, we hope it gives you a steady hand when it is most needed.