Northern Trust announced the appointment of Beata Kirr as Chief Investment Officer of its Global Family Office (GFO) business, a rapidly growing segment focused on ultra-high-net-worth families.
In her new role, Kirr will oversee investment strategy for GFO, including portfolio construction, asset allocation, and delivery of investment insights to clients. The division serves more than 550 families with an average net worth exceeding $1 billion, reflecting increasing demand for sophisticated, multi-asset investment solutions.
GFO represents the fastest-growing segment within Northern Trust Wealth Management, as family offices face rising complexity across private markets exposure, intergenerational wealth planning, and global portfolio management. Kirr’s appointment is intended to strengthen the firm’s ability to deliver tailored strategies for these clients.
Kirr brings extensive experience in advising institutional and high-net-worth investors. She most recently served as Managing Director and Chief Impact Officer at The Copia Group, a private credit firm. Prior to that, she spent 17 years at Bernstein Private Wealth Management, including as Co-Chief Investment Officer and National Managing Director, where she helped expand investment offerings and advance portfolio strategy.
Earlier in her career, Kirr held roles at Aurora LLC and Goldman Sachs, building expertise across alternative investments, asset allocation, and portfolio construction. In addition to her professional experience, she has held governance and advisory roles across multiple organizations, including serving as an independent director for Nomura’s Active ETF Delaware Trust and participating on investment committees for philanthropic institutions.
Northern Trust Wealth Management oversees approximately $497.6 billion in assets under management and continues to expand its capabilities to serve affluent individuals, family offices, foundations, and institutions globally.
The appointment underscores a broader trend of wealth management firms investing in senior leadership to address the evolving needs of ultra-high-net-worth clients, particularly as portfolios become more complex and diversified across public and private markets.
KEY QUOTES:
“Family offices today are navigating increasingly complex portfolios, private markets exposure and multigenerational planning challenges. Beata brings a disciplined approach to asset allocation, manager selection and portfolio construction, grounded in years of advising sophisticated investors. She knows how to turn that experience into the differentiated insights and solutions that families expect from Northern Trust.”
Dino De Vita, President, Global Family Office, Northern Trust
“GFO is dedicated to supporting families who have worked diligently to create lasting legacies, and they deserve an investment strategy that matches their commitment and complexity. Family offices are often on the forefront of evolving investment opportunities, and I’m focused on delivering innovative solutions across asset classes for our clients.”
Beata Kirr, Chief Investment Officer, Global Family Office, Northern Trust
