Founder & Chief Executive Officer
(OFFSHORE FOUNDATIONS & PRIVATE WEALTH GOVERNANCE)
Offshore Foundations
An offshore foundation can hold assets in its own name, organise succession and establish long-term rules for family, private or purpose-based wealth. Wealth Web coordinates foundation formation, governing documents, council appointments and related banking through licensed providers, with fees stated before engagement.
(OVERVIEW)
Offshore foundation planning shaped around purpose, people and long-term control
A foundation should begin with a clear governance brief: which assets may be contributed, who may benefit, what purposes may be pursued, how the council will make decisions and which powers, if any, the founder should retain. We review those questions together with residency, succession, tax classification, reporting and banking considerations before coordinating the jurisdiction, charter, regulations and supporting entities.
(HOW IT WORKS)
01
Consultation
We map the intended purpose, assets, family participants, beneficiary class, governance preferences and connected countries.
02
Structure and jurisdiction design
Cook Islands and Nevis options are assessed against legal form, founder powers, council requirements, reporting and banking compatibility.
03
Constitutional documents
The charter, regulations or by-laws are prepared to record the foundationâs objects, governance, succession rules and reserved powers.
04
Registration, funding and operation
After provider onboarding and registration, approved assets may be endowed and related company, custody or bank applications coordinated.
(OFFSHORE FOUNDATION DIRECTORY)
Offshore foundation jurisdictions and formation services
Foundation law, governance terminology and practical administration differ by jurisdiction. Explore our Cook Islands and Nevis foundation services, then compare how each option approaches legal personality, governing bodies, founder influence and ongoing administration.
(AT A GLANCE)
How an offshore foundation compares
An offshore foundation is a legal person without shareholders. Assets are held by the foundation itself and administered under its constitutional documents by a council or management board. A trust relies on a trustee relationship, while a company has owners and is normally designed for corporate activity. Each can occupy a different layer within an international wealth structure.
| Structure | Primary role | From | Timeframe | View service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Offshore FoundationCore governance structure
|
Holding assets in the foundation’s own name for succession, family governance, private purposes or philanthropic objectives. | $6,500 | 2-8 weeks* | Explore |
Offshore TrustFiduciary ownership arrangement
|
A trustee holds and administers assets for beneficiaries or permitted purposes under a trust deed. | $10,000 | 2–8 weeks | Explore |
Offshore CompanyOperating or holding vehicle
|
Trading, investment holding, intellectual property, joint ventures or an underlying entity owned by a foundation. | $2,500 | 2–7 days | Explore |
Offshore Bank AccountBanking and custody layer
|
Payments, deposits, investment custody and treasury for an eligible foundation or foundation-owned entity. | $1,000 | 2–6 weeks | Explore |
Precious MetalsTangible asset allocation
|
Allocated bullion and vaulting arranged directly or through an approved entity within the wider structure. | On request | Varies | Explore |
|
Foundation + Company + BankingCoordinated structure
|
A foundation provides the ownership and governance layer while an underlying company holds investments or conducts approved activity. | Quoted | Scope dependent | Discuss |
*Registration timing begins after satisfactory due diligence, final documents and provider acceptance. Banking and asset transfers generally take longer.
Plan the structure before selecting the jurisdictionDiscuss your objectives, connected countries, proposed assets and preferred governance model with a Wealth Web specialist.
Book a consultation
Indicative fees (USD) for offshore foundation and related services. Scope, provider costs and first-year charges are confirmed in writing before formation begins.
(TOTAL PROTECTION PACKAGE)
Offshore Foundation, Company & Bank Account
A coordinated structure using an offshore foundation as the ownership and governance layer, with an underlying company and international account where suitable. We manage provider onboarding, constitutional documents, company formation and the related banking process through one point of contact.
- Foundation formation and provider onboarding coordinated from start to finish
- Listed first-year registered-agent, council and formation costs included in the agreed scope
- Charter, regulations or by-laws prepared for the selected foundation jurisdiction
- Registered structure prepared for approved endowment, ownership and banking steps
(FOUNDATION USES)
What can an offshore foundation be used for?
A private foundation can combine asset ownership with written rules for succession, family participation, distributions and long-term purposes. Its role should be defined before formation and supported by appropriate legal, tax, banking and reporting advice in every connected country.
Family wealth governance
Record how council decisions, beneficiary support and family participation should operate across generations.
Succession planning
Provide continuity for foundation-owned assets when a founder dies, becomes incapacitated or steps away from governance.
Investment and company ownership
Hold portfolios, private-company interests or the shares of an underlying company within one ownership framework.
Purpose-led structures
Pursue family, educational, cultural, philanthropic or other permitted purposes defined in the constitutional documents.
Cross-border administration
Coordinate assets and beneficiaries located in several countries beneath a single governing legal entity.
Civil-law familiar planning
Use an entity-based structure that may be more familiar than a common-law trust for some international families and advisers.
(FOUNDATION JURISDICTIONS)
Compare Cook Islands and Nevis foundations
Our current foundation service focuses on the Cook Islands Foundation and the Nevis Multiform Foundation. The comparison below highlights their different governance language, legal architecture and practical use cases; final selection must also account for home-country tax and reporting treatment.
Cook Islands Foundation
A separate legal entity established under the Foundations Act 2012, administered by a council and supported by a Cook Islands registered agent.
- Uses a foundation instrument and foundation rules to define objects, governance and administration.
- The council administers the assets and carries out the foundation’s stated objects.
- Can be designed around beneficiaries, permitted purposes or a combination allowed by the governing documents and law.
- Often considered for long-term private wealth ownership, succession and Cook Islands-based asset-protection planning.
Nevis Multiform Foundation
A foundation established under the Nevis Multiform Foundations Ordinance, whose constitution identifies how the entity is to be treated.
- Its stated multiform may be framed as a foundation, trust, company or partnership under the Ordinance.
- The stated form can be changed during the foundation’s lifetime, subject to the constitution and legal requirements.
- Requires a Nevis registered agent, registered office, management board and secretary.
- May be used for estate planning, charity, financing or special investment-holding arrangements.
Jurisdiction choice should also consider the founder’s residence, the proposed assets, tax classification, disclosure obligations, council composition, banking acceptance and the advice of professionals in every connected country.
(EXPERTISE)
Meet our offshore foundation specialists
John Evans
Forbes Business Council Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
More than two decades of experience across offshore banking, asset protection, international companies and trusts.
Melanie Tetuaiteroi
Sales Assistant
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Supports client onboarding, communications, documentation and operational coordination, backed by fiduciary administration experience.
(INSIGHTS)
Offshore foundation guides and private wealth insights
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(ABOUT OFFSHORE FOUNDATIONS)
What is an offshore foundation?
An offshore foundation is a legal entity formed under the foundation legislation of a foreign jurisdiction. It does not issue shares and is not owned by shareholders. Once assets are validly contributed, the foundation holds them in its own name and the governing body administers them under the constitutional documents for the stated beneficiaries, objects or purposes.
How foundation governance is organised
The founder initiates the structure and determines its initial design. A council or management board is responsible for administration, while a protector, guardian, enforcer or supervisory body may oversee specified decisions where the jurisdiction and documents permit. The charter, foundation instrument, regulations or by-laws record the objects, decision-making rules, beneficiary provisions, succession arrangements and any carefully limited reserved powers.
Selecting foundation law and service providers
The legal framework should be assessed together with the founderâs residence, tax classification, reporting duties, proposed asset transfers, public-filing rules, record-keeping standards, council composition, registered-agent requirements and banking access. The Cook Islands Financial Supervisory Commission lists the Foundations Act 2012 within its administered legislation, while the Nevis Financial Services Regulatory Commission explains the multiform framework and establishment requirements. Wealth Web coordinates formation through licensed providers, but clients should obtain independent legal and tax advice in each connected country.
(OFFSHORE FOUNDATION GUIDE)
Understanding Offshore Foundations
How is an offshore foundation structured?
A foundation exists as a legal person in its own right. It has no shareholders, and its constitutional documents determine why it exists, how it is governed and who may benefit.
The founder establishes the foundation and contributes the initial property. The foundation then becomes the legal holder of properly transferred assets. Day-to-day authority rests with a council or management board, rather than with directors acting for shareholders or a trustee holding property under a trust relationship.
The charter, foundation instrument, regulations or by-laws set the operating framework. They may address beneficiary classes, permitted purposes, distributions, investment powers, council succession, amendment procedures and circumstances in which the foundation may terminate.
Depending on the jurisdiction, an additional protector, guardian, enforcer or supervisory body may monitor defined decisions. An underlying company can also be used where investments, contractual activity or banking are more efficiently administered through a corporate subsidiary.
- The foundation owns assets contributed to it in accordance with the governing law and transfer documents.
- The founder defines the initial purpose and governance design but is not a shareholder.
- The council or management board administers the entity and records decisions.
- Beneficiaries may receive benefits, or the foundation may pursue permitted purposes.
- Registered-agent, record-keeping, reporting and annual administration requirements continue after registration.
We coordinate the provider, constitutional documents, registration and related company or banking workstreams.
Discuss a foundationWhy use a private foundation?
The foundation model combines legal personality with a dedicated governance framework, which can be useful where assets, family members or objectives cross borders.
Ownership without shareholders
The entity holds property in its own name. There are no shares to pass from one owner to another, which can support continuity when the founder dies or family circumstances change.
Documented family governance
Decision rights, council appointments, beneficiary support, investment parameters and succession procedures can be written into the constitutional documents rather than left to informal family expectations.
Flexible beneficiary or purpose design
Subject to the governing law, a foundation may support named beneficiaries, a class of beneficiaries, defined private purposes, charitable purposes or a combination of permitted objectives.
Consolidated ownership
Investment accounts, private-company shares, an underlying holding company and other approved assets may be organised beneath one legal owner, reducing fragmented administration.
Familiarity for some civil-law families
An incorporated entity administered under a charter may be conceptually more familiar than a common-law trust for clients and advisers accustomed to foundation-based legal systems.
Who controls and oversees a foundation?
Titles differ between jurisdictions, but each role should have a defined function and a clear relationship with the constitutional documents.
Founder
Creates the foundation, settles its initial design and contributes property. Any reserved powers should be deliberately limited and professionally reviewed.
Council or board
Administers assets, approves decisions and carries out the foundation’s objects in accordance with the law and governing documents.
Beneficiaries
People or classes who may receive distributions or other benefits, subject to the foundation’s terms and the governing body’s authority.
Protector or supervisory role
May approve specified actions, monitor governance or appoint and remove decision-makers where the legislation and documents permit.
Registered agent
Provides the statutory presence, maintains required records and handles registry or compliance matters in the formation jurisdiction.
Underlying company
May hold investments, accounts or business interests while the foundation owns the company and supplies the outer governance layer.
What may a foundation hold or support?
Asset suitability depends on transfer rules, local law, tax advice, custody arrangements and whether an underlying entity is required.
- Investment portfolios: cash, securities, funds and private investments held directly or through an approved company or custodian.
- Private-company interests: shares or membership interests used to organise family enterprises, holding companies or joint investments.
- Family governance: education, maintenance, healthcare, entrepreneurship or other beneficiary-support policies documented over time.
- Philanthropic and purpose activity: charitable, educational, cultural or private purposes permitted by the relevant legislation.
- Intellectual and collectible assets: rights, art or other specialised property where valuation, custody and transfer formalities are addressed.
- Bank and custody accounts: accounts opened in the foundation’s name or in the name of a foundation-owned company, subject to provider approval.
Locally situated real estate, regulated businesses, retirement assets and jointly owned property may require separate analysis before transfer.
How an offshore foundation is established
Formation is a sequence of legal design, provider due diligence, registration and asset-transfer work rather than a single filing.
Define the outcome
Clarify the intended assets, beneficiaries, purposes, succession goals, family roles and countries connected to the structure.
Choose the jurisdiction
Compare legal personality, governance, reserved powers, administration, disclosure, banking and home-country treatment.
Design the constitution
Prepare the charter, instrument, regulations or by-laws and allocate responsibilities among the founder, council and oversight roles.
Complete due diligence
Provide certified identification, address evidence, source-of-wealth information, source-of-funds records and details of participants.
Register the entity
The licensed provider completes name approval, statutory appointments, registry filing and issuance of the formation documents.
Endow and operate
Approved assets are transferred, governance records commenced and any company, bank, custody or investment applications progressed.
Cook Islands or Nevis?
Both jurisdictions provide statutory foundation regimes, but they use different terminology and offer different planning features.
Cook Islands Foundation
Established under the Foundations Act 2012. It uses a council, registered agent, foundation instrument and rules, and may be configured for beneficiaries or permitted objects.
Nevis Multiform Foundation
Uses a stated multiform and can be treated as a foundation, trust, company or partnership. The framework includes a management board, secretary, registered agent and registered office.
- Consider how the foundation will be classified in the founder’s and beneficiaries’ home countries.
- Confirm that banks, custodians and counterparties understand and accept the selected legal form.
- Compare council or board composition, provider availability, annual fees and record-keeping duties.
- Review asset-protection provisions and transfer timing with qualified counsel before any assets move.
Foundation, trust or company?
The correct vehicle follows from the legal relationship required, not from a preference for a particular jurisdiction or label.
- Foundation: a legal person without shareholders that owns its assets and is administered by a council or management board.
- Trust: a legal relationship under which a trustee holds title to assets for beneficiaries or permitted purposes.
- Company: an entity with shareholders or members, commonly used for trading, investment holding or operational activity.
- Combined structure: a foundation may own a company, allowing governance and succession to sit above corporate operations or investment accounts.
Tax classification and reporting can differ substantially even where two structures pursue similar commercial or family objectives.
Who may consider an offshore foundation?
A foundation is generally most relevant where the value of durable governance and cross-border continuity justifies bespoke documents and continuing administration.
- International families coordinating beneficiaries, residences and assets across several legal systems.
- Families from civil-law jurisdictions who prefer an incorporated foundation model to a common-law trust relationship.
- Business-owning families planning how company interests should be governed or transferred over multiple generations.
- Founders with purpose-led objectives involving education, culture, philanthropy or defined family programmes.
- Investors with several asset-holding entities seeking one long-term ownership and governance layer.
- Family offices that require documented council succession, oversight and decision-making procedures.
A foundation may be unsuitable where the assets are modest, the objectives can be met through a will or domestic structure, or the founder is unwilling to accept formal governance, disclosure and annual administration.
We compare the available foundation structures against your assets, family circumstances, residency and professional advice.
Book a consultation(OFFSHORE FOUNDATION QUESTIONS)
Common offshore foundation questions
An offshore foundation is a separate legal entity created under a foundation statute. It has no shareholders. The foundation holds properly contributed assets in its own name and is administered under its constitutional documents by a council or management board for beneficiaries, objects or permitted purposes.
Once an asset has been validly transferred, legal ownership rests with the foundation rather than with the founder, council members or beneficiaries personally. Transfer formalities vary by asset type and should be reviewed before implementation.
A trust is a legal relationship in which a trustee holds assets under a trust deed. A company is owned through shares or membership interests. A foundation is an incorporated legal person without shareholders and is governed through a charter, rules, regulations or by-laws.
Requirements depend on the jurisdiction. Common elements include a foundation instrument or memorandum, internal rules or by-laws, a registered agent, a council or management board and due-diligence documents for the founder and other relevant participants. Nevis also requires a secretary.
Yes, subject to the governing documents, provider acceptance and applicable law. A foundation may hold company shares or membership interests, and it may apply for an account in its own name. In other cases, a foundation-owned company opens the operating, investment or custody account.
Our principal foundation services are the Cook Islands Foundation and the Nevis Multiform Foundation. The Cook Islands uses a council-based foundation regime under the Foundations Act 2012. Nevis uses a multiform framework that can state a foundation, trust, company or partnership form.
Registry formation may be completed within several business days after the provider has accepted the application, due diligence is complete and the constitutional documents are final. Bespoke drafting, complex participants, asset transfers and bank onboarding usually extend the overall implementation period.
A foundation normally has annual registered-agent or administration fees, record-keeping and governance requirements in its formation jurisdiction. The founder, beneficiaries, council members or connected entities may also have tax, beneficial-ownership, financial-account or foreign-entity reporting where they live. Independent advice is essential before formation and before assets are transferred.
(CONTACT US)
Speak to a specialist. Let’s build your structure.
Book a confidential, no-obligation consultation with a senior member of our team to discuss your objectives and the services we have available.
