Glen Burton is a name quietly shared within elite circles—known not for visibility, but for results. A trusted presence behind some of the world’s most influential families, his reputation has been built on discretion, depth, and unwavering execution. There’s a certain weight to trust—the kind that’s not spoken but deeply understood. For over two decades, Glen has carried that weight on behalf of families, principals, and global decision-makers whose lives demand high-level support and discreet protection.
In today’s volatile world, wealth alone is no longer enough. Families may possess global reach, influence, and extraordinary resources—but without the right risk strategy and a partner embedded across their movements, homes, and personal ecosystems, they remain exposed. That’s the gap Glen Burton was born to fill.
How did you get started working with influential families and business leaders?
My journey began with a foundation in the British Army, where I learned discipline and adaptability under pressure over a 10-year period. But it was during the early part of my private sector career, when I was hired to support the Maktoum family, that set the stage for me to build the experience and reputation I’ve gained to date.
Over the past 25-years, I’ve worked directly with families, Fortune 100 leaders, and international royal families in over 130 countries. The mission has always remained the same: protect, enable, and deliver—quietly and precisely. You have to understand cultural nuance, anticipate unspoken needs, and embed into their lives without disruption.
When families face complexity—new jurisdictions, relocations, public visibility, or elevated threat levels—they need more than support. They need someone they trust to bring order, clarity, and control.
What have been your greatest career-defining moments?
One defining moment came during the 2008 Mumbai attacks. A family visiting on holiday were trapped inside the Taj Palace Hotel, which was one of the hotels under siege. I received a call from them and yet I had no prior relationship with them. It didn’t catch me off guard, but it just goes to show why I’m always ready to react no matter where I am in the world. They had the resources to call in specialist support, and throughout the immediate attack I provided them with critical guidance and decisive action—before sending a team in to help rescue them.
That operation wasn’t just about logistics—it was about composure under extreme pressure, clear decision-making, and taking responsibility for outcomes when failure isn’t an option.
But the aftermath—the trauma, especially for the children—is something that stays with you. That’s when I realized this work isn’t just operational. It’s human. Families trust you not just to act, but to care. To protect their lives, their children, their legacy.
Over the years, I’ve built enduring partnerships with royal households, private family offices, and global leaders. The question is never “who” I’ve supported—it’s how I’ve supported them: with clarity, consistency, and the quiet confidence they rely on.
Takeaway: In chaos, don’t panic. Organize. Breathe. Lead. Presence matters more than perfection.
What led you to found Ascot Privé?
Over time, my work evolved from protection into full-spectrum advisory—overseeing travel, operations, continuity planning, and bespoke projects that demand a strategic eye and unshakable execution.
I kept encountering a gap. Most traditional support systems weren’t designed for the velocity and complexity of modern ultra-high-net-worth life. Families were over-relying on personal assistants or patchwork support networks. That’s not sustainable—and definitely not secure.
Ascot Privé was born to close that gap. To offer intelligent, risk-conscious infrastructure that adapts to the lives of influential people without slowing them down.
Takeaway: Real support begins when you stop offering one-size-fits-all solutions and start building protective frameworks around what truly matters.
What is Ascot Privé?
Ascot Privé is not a concierge firm. It’s not a protection company. It’s something rarer: a trusted strategic partner embedded quietly in the lives of UHNW families and private offices. We ensure their world keeps moving—securely, seamlessly, and with total discretion.
Our three core pillars are:
- Private Office Support – Global continuity, travel logistics, lifestyle execution.
- Risk & Security Advisory – Embedded risk strategy, residential readiness, travel safety, global protection planning.
- Bespoke Special Projects – Support for VIP events, sensitive assignments, and high-level occasions that require accuracy, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
We don’t sell luxury—we provide clarity, calm, and capability in a world where unpredictability is constant. That’s what families really want.
What sets Ascot Privé apart?
Ascot Privé doesn’t just respond. We anticipate. We are embedded thinkers—quiet operators who solve problems before they appear.
Whether that means vetting villa staff in the South of France, aligning with private aviation teams, coordinating security across multiple countries, or managing a family’s entire summer movement across Europe, we deliver with clarity and consistency.
We bring a risk-forward mindset into every engagement. From logistics to lifestyle, we’re constantly asking: What could go wrong? What’s the backup plan? What’s the threat vector here.
It’s not paranoia—it’s preparation.
Families can have all the wealth in the world—but without a trusted partner embedded into their movements, homes, and private affairs, they’re exposed. True risk strategy is about continuity and calm—not flashing lights and overreaction.
Takeaway: Your edge isn’t just what you provide—it’s how you think. Anticipate. Prepare. Deliver before you’re asked.
Why are families turning to Ascot?
Families are turning to Ascot because we offer something rare: discretion backed by depth.
We don’t overextend. We don’t overpromise. And we don’t insert ourselves unnecessarily. We operate under the radar—visible when needed, invisible when preferred.
When a family brings us in, it’s because they’ve either outgrown their existing support structure, hit a crisis, or realized they need a more strategic partner in their corner.
We don’t just support them—we integrate with their lives. Quietly protecting their children, anticipating their needs, and building operational strength beneath their lifestyle. That’s how trust is built—and why we’re retained for the long term.
How have you grown the company since launch?
We took our time. We didn’t launch Ascot Privé with fanfare—we built it patiently, making sure every system, person, and philosophy aligned with the standard I knew was required.
We don’t just hire for experience—we hire for character. The wrong mindset can cause more risk than any external threat. Every member of our team understands the weight of trust and the expectation of excellence.
We operate across the UAE, Europe, and North America—but our model is built on depth, not scale. We’re not trying to be the biggest. Just the most trusted.
Takeaway: Growth isn’t about volume—it’s about trust, integrity, and doing what you say you’ll do. Quietly. Relentlessly.
What interesting projects are you currently involved in?
This summer and autumn, we’re supporting several principal families with significant movements across Europe, the U.S., and the Gulf. These are multi-stop programs—private aviation, short-notice adjustments, layered planning across jurisdictions.
In some cases, I’ll personally oversee key legs of the journey. Because when trust is non-negotiable, presence matters.
We’re also advising on family relocations, major celebrations, and strategic retreats. The demand is high, but we remain selective. I’d rather do five things at 100% than 15 at 70%.
In September, I’ll speak at the Global Family Office Summit in Cannes on a subject we can’t ignore anymore: the human side of wealth. Because if the people—your children, your elders, your advisors—aren’t protected and supported, then your legacy is already compromised.
Takeaway: The smartest families invest in people, not just portfolios. Because it’s people who carry continuity—and legacy.
What are the top 3 biggest opportunities for UHNWIs in the UAE and globally?
Today’s most influential families are no longer looking for one-dimensional support. The opportunities lie in a deeper, more strategic alignment—where people, process, and protection come together.
The first opportunity is in redefining how families approach risk. Many have the wealth, the advisors, the properties—but lack an embedded risk strategy that ties it all together. Without that, they remain exposed. Families need more than reactionary services—they need partners who can embed seamlessly into their world and ensure continuity across their estates, their travel, their movements, and their privacy. That’s where true protection lives—not in response, but in readiness.
Second, there is a growing shift from asset-centric thinking to human-centered strategy. This means focusing not just on wealth management, but on people stewardship: preparing the next generation, protecting family values, and ensuring daily life runs with clarity and calm, no matter the setting. The smartest families are aligning protective intelligence with personal needs—so that family members feel secure, supported, and empowered.
Finally, with global movement at an all-time high, mobility without chaos has become the new imperative. From Dubai to London, New York to the Med—families are crossing borders frequently, often at short notice. The opportunity lies in delivering infrastructure that moves with them. That doesn’t mean more luxury. It means precision, resilience, and readiness—without disruption.
These are the families turning to us—not just for service, but for embedded clarity, protection, and leadership. They know that real trust isn’t built on access. It’s built on impact.
What are the current trends in elite family living?
The definition of luxury is changing. Today’s most discerning families are quietly shifting their focus—from what’s seen to what’s secure, from what’s extravagant to what’s essential.
One clear trend is the investment in private infrastructure. This goes far beyond household staff. Families are embedding trusted advisors, risk specialists, and strategic coordinators directly into their lifestyle—creating homes and estates that are not just beautiful, but operationally resilient. These are not showpieces; they’re living systems designed to function under pressure.
Discretion is also becoming the new status symbol. Influence is no longer tied to visibility. In fact, the most powerful families are often the least visible. Their lives are protected, their teams are quiet, and their environments are deeply aligned to who they are—not what the world expects to see. Privacy, trust, and internal clarity have replaced excess.
Finally, proactive protection is front and center. Families are no longer waiting for issues to arise—they’re building infrastructure that prevents them. That includes embedded cyber risk support, secure global mobility plans, vetted vendor ecosystems, and residential readiness across multiple properties. It’s not about fear—it’s about staying ahead.
This evolution reflects a deeper truth: true luxury is peace of mind. And the families who understand that are designing lives that are calm, stable, and built to last—regardless of what’s happening outside their gates.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned working with the elite?
That status doesn’t eliminate vulnerability — it often increases it.
The most successful families in the world still worry about their children, their privacy, and their movement. In fact, the more influence a family holds, the more complex their world becomes — and the more exposed they are to risk, pressure, and scrutiny.
Money can open doors. It can fund exceptional talent and create layers of protection — but it can’t replace sound judgment, nor can it guarantee trust, loyalty, or presence when it matters most. You can outsource tasks — but you can’t outsource true responsibility.
Over the years, I’ve learned that the real differentiator isn’t wealth — it’s alignment. When you have someone embedded in your world who understands your values, anticipates your needs, and knows when to step in without being asked — that’s where the real protection begins.
What families are looking for is a long-standing partner — someone who is quietly present, deeply reliable, and who understands that the most meaningful support doesn’t shout. It shows up. It listens. It holds the line when things become uncertain.
Because in this world, what families value most isn’t noise — it’s certainty.
What’s the biggest misconception about your work?
That it’s about showing up in luxury environments and enjoying the ride.
The truth is, I’m not there to relax — I’m there to ensure things don’t fall apart. I’m the one thinking about what could go wrong while everyone else enjoys what’s going right.
This isn’t about lifestyle — it’s about load bearing. It’s about being the first person the family looks to when plans shift, when threats surface, or when silence is needed in the middle of chaos. That’s the expectation — and I take that seriously.
People see the glamour. I see the risk, the detail, the pressure.
But I wouldn’t trade it. I have a deep passion for what I do — for problem-solving under pressure, for delivering peace of mind, and most of all, for building long-term relationships with the families and leaders I support. That trust, earned over years, is everything.
What legacy or impact do you hope to leave?
I didn’t build Ascot Privé to add more noise to an already crowded space. I built it to raise the standard—not in volume, but in value. In clarity. In what it truly means to support a family at the highest level.
From day one, this was never about offering a service—it was about delivering peace of mind. Backed by a team with deep, hands-on experience not just in risk, but in the finer details that define a family’s world: estate oversight, global travel, complex events, and discreet support infrastructure.
True impact isn’t loud. It’s felt in the calm that surrounds someone important when they know, without question, that everything is being handled.
Those entrusted to manage wealth play a vital role—but beyond the numbers lies another layer of responsibility for families: the lives, movements, and decisions behind the scenes. That’s where we come in. That’s where peace of mind becomes the true measure of value.
Where can readers connect with you or find out more?
Visit www.ascotprive.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.
