Trust: The Skill of Trusteeship in 16 Success Stories and 1 Failure

TRUST: The Skill of Trusteeship in Sixteen Success Stories and One Failure.
By Alexander von der Vellen and Frederick Kermisch

What does it truly mean to be a trustee and to be trusted, not just in law, but in spirit?

In Trust, fiduciary veteran Alexander von der Vellen opens the casebook he once swore he’d never share. After decades of serving families and individuals discreetly, he now invites readers inside the confidential, complex, and often emotionally charged world of trusteeship.

Spanning thirty years and five continents, Trust features sixteen anonymised success stories and one failure, drawn from real fiduciary cases. These deeply human stories illuminate the invisible skills that great trustees should practise: discretion, emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and above all, a commitment to doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

Whether you’re a professional trustee, a family office advisor, a client curious about the role that your trustees carry out, or simply someone interested in the art of responsibility and human connection, this book is for you.

Inside, you’ll discover:

• How experienced trustees navigate delicate family dynamics, ethical dilemmas, and multigenerational tensions.

• The psychology and practical frameworks that foster true trust across borders and personalities.

• Commentary from leading sales coach Frederick Kermisch, offering insight into how tone, language, and presence can transform difficult conversations into opportunities for connection.

• A rare blend of case-based learning, personal reflection, and professional wisdom.

Who should read this book?

• Fiduciaries, trustees, and professionals in wealth management, private law, or family governance

• Clients and beneficiaries seeking to understand what trustees really do, and what good trusteeship looks like

• Coaches, consultants, and communication professionals looking for case-based emotional intelligence training

• Anyone fascinated by the intersection of responsibility, care, and long-term thinking

“Trust” is not just a book about fiduciaries. It’s a guide to how people can care for others; ethically, wisely, and calmly, in today's noisy world.