Iraj Ispahani

Spear’s Review

As a seventh-generation member of the family that founded the Ispahani Group, Iraj Ispahani knows a thing or two about family business, family dynamics and the particular challenges that wealth holders face. 

Ispahani held leadership roles at J.P. Morgan and Korn Ferry before joining the board of the family business – a Bangladesh-based company that was established in 1820 as a supplier of tea, cotton and textiles but has since diversified to consumer foods, hospitality, leisure, real estate and shipping. The experience of ‘responsible wealth ownership’ he gleaned has been instrumental in shaping his approach at Ispahani Advisory. It’s here that he and his team of consultants counsel wealth owners on family business strategy, governance, strategic philanthropy, education and family well-being. 

Ispahani prides himself on representing only his clients’ best interests, seeing the world from their point of view through an owner’s lens. He says his experience of being part of a business-owning family has shown him that a long-term approach to goals and objectives and sound risk management are crucial. This, he tells Spear’s, often requires the input of younger generations: ‘If Gen-Z aren’t at the table, then you have to ask why they aren’t there and question whether the agenda includes them in a way that they can contribute meaningfully.’