Beneath the Canopy - September 2025
- Robert Carson
- Sep 1
- 5 min read
As the change of seasons approaches and new buds start to show on the trees, there’s reason to feel optimistic about the summer ahead. Yet lately, an undercurrent of caution has been growing louder. You can hear it in the way people talk about work. Where once many were comfortable in their roles, they’re now questioning whether it’s time to move on.
In this month’s Beneath the Canopy, we revisit "Waiting to Quit Your Job?"- an inside look at the next generation weighing whether to remain in the family business or forge their own path. Decisions like these can unsettle a family, or unlock enormous opportunity. Either way, they’re never without risk.
That same sense of risk shows up in the bigger picture too. Australia no longer feels like the safe bet it once was for capital. Families who never looked beyond our borders are now exploring options offshore. In "Shifting Sands: A Warning for Australians", I explore how some are diversifying to manage sovereign risk. It isn’t panic, but a quiet acknowledgement that the ground has shifted, and standing still carries its own dangers.
Even in private capital, the guard is changing ("Australia's Private Capital Throne has new Occupants.") New players are stepping up, old names aren’t as dominant, and what once seemed permanent is being reshaped. That kind of change can rattle people, but it can also spark fresh opportunities if you’re willing to look at it differently.
So yes, caution is the mood of the month. But it’s not the whole story. Caution can sharpen perspective, keep us from drifting, and push us to test where the balance lies. The task is spotting when risk outweighs reward, and when resilience can turn uncertainty into growth. That’s where opportunity hides- quietly, beneath the canopy.
If these themes are resonating with you- whether in your family, your work, or your investments- I’d love to hear what you’re noticing beneath your own canopy.
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Speaking Engagements
Having advised families on their personal and family wealth for more than two decades, I am now available for speaking engagements to your family, your staff or your clients.
"How To Destroy Your Legacy in One Generation" is a dive into the behaviours that have been the cause of some of the world's greatest family financial disasters, and how to avoid the pitfalls that come with significant wealth.
Please contact me directly to discuss this opportunity.
From Chaos comes Clarity
In a family enterprise, financial decision-making is far more structured than in a typical household. With defined roles, responsibilities, and an investment policy guiding the process, the dynamics of who makes the financial decisions are shaped by governance frameworks rather than informal agreements. This formalised approach ensures that the family’s wealth is managed strategically and sustainably across generations.
Waiting for the Stars to Align? Your Family's Legacy might pass you by
There’s a particular moment in every family business journey when the question of selling the enterprise moves from the distant horizon to the kitchen table. It’s rarely a straightforward decision. In fact, for many Australian family business owners, the timing of a sale often feels completely out of sync with the business’s growth cycle, the prevailing economic winds, or the evolving plans and aspirations of the family itself. If you’re grappling with this conundrum, you’re not alone—and the path forward is rarely linear.
Why the Vatican's Conclave holds the Key to Family Successio
When it comes to leadership transitions, few events are as steeped in tradition and intrigue as the papal conclave. While the Catholic Church and wealthy families might seem worlds apart, the process of electing a new pope and planning for succession within a family business have more in common than you might think. Both are moments of significant change, requiring careful planning, clear communication, and a strong sense of shared values to ensure stability and continuity.
Creating a generational legacy? The secret is to give your wealth away
Philanthropy within a family isn’t just about giving—it’s about creating a shared sense of purpose, building stronger connections, and fostering a legacy that lasts well beyond financial wealth.
When families unite around common values and a desire to make a difference, they not only contribute to the greater good but also strengthen their relationships and lay the groundwork for managing wealth across generations.
Another election cycle ends. So too does the certainty for your charity
Election cycles are inherently unpredictable. While political parties campaign on promises to alleviate financial pressures or boost support for various sectors, the reality is that priorities often shift once a new government takes office. For charities, this can mean changes to funding streams, alterations in regulatory frameworks, or even the loss of critical programs.
'Looking East': Investment opportunities
Not investment Advice
As the global mood shifts on a daily basis following President Trump's tariff announcements early in the month, there is plenty of domestic commentary with the potential to overshadow Trump and his desire to appear as the headline news item on a daily basis in every country in the world.
Following the Federal election, the Australian Labor Party have been returned with an increased majority for another three years, which may give the environment a little more certainty...but perhaps only a little.
It looks unlikely the need for the government to negotiate their policies with minor parties in order to pass legislation, however questions remain if the Government will re-introduce stalled legislation to parliament in its original format.
Managers have been pushed aside by the public holidays during April, struggling to squeeze time with investors in the short working month. I am expecting this to change we push deeper into the final quarter of the financial year.
Here are few of the opportunities that I met with throughout the course of April:
Axon Capital Private Medical Property Trust - An investment in the Aurora Healthcare-managed Toronto Private Hospital, in Newcastle, NSW.
Fortitude Investment Partners Small Cap PE Fund- An Australian mid-market Private Equity opportunity across a range of Australian operating businesses
KKR Private Infrastructure Fund- A global infrastructure opportunity across a broadly diversified portfolio in an income generating, semi-liquid structure.
Please contact me should you wish to be introduced to any of the opportunities above.
Spread the Word
Canopy East is a unique offering for families - giving them an independent advocate to represent their financial interests.
Thank you for your support. Of course, we welcome any opportunity to discuss families who may need our assistance.
Please contact Robert to arrange a time to discuss his services further.
Robert Carson robert@canopyeast.com.au +61 406 934 231
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