In a climate of economic uncertainty – marked by slowing growth, rising inflation and global trade tensions – UK business leaders and wealthy individuals are facing increasingly complex financial decisions and mounting personal pressures.
Far from the glossy portrayals of effortless affluence, a more nuanced picture of wealth is emerging.
New research from boutique wealth manager and private bank Nedbank Private Wealth reveals that many high-net-worth individuals are under significant emotional strain, grappling with the burden of safeguarding assets, supporting family, and making difficult decisions under stress. The findings challenge long-held assumptions that wealth guarantees happiness or an easy life – with many now defining true wealth in terms of emotional wellbeing, peace of mind and a sense of control.
The findings offer rare insight into the emotional and psychological pressures facing those steering UK businesses and managing family wealth. A poll of 600 high-net-worth individuals and business owners found that 98% have concerns about planning and managing wealth, and 91% experience emotional challenges in doing so.
For over one in five, financial risk in an unpredictable world is the most pressing emotional hurdle. This may help explain why 76% said the threshold of what it means to be ‘wealthy’ has risen in the past two years, as they seek a greater sense of security. 81% believe you need over £3m to be considered wealthy in 2025.
When asked about respondents’ top emotional challenges, the most popular answers included a feeling of anxiousness about financial risk in an unpredictable world, and the difficulty of balancing business demands with personal or family priorities. The burden of responsibility for others’ financial wellbeing, including employees and loved ones, weighs heavily on the conscience of many.
These findings challenge assumptions about detachment at the top. Far from being out of touch, many leaders are quietly shouldering the emotional weight of keeping businesses, livelihoods and long-term legacies on track.
Against a backdrop of popular culture fixated on extreme depictions of wealth, from The White Lotus and Saltburn to Succession, a third (30%) of respondents said public narratives focus too heavily on excess and selfishness. Many believe the cultural portrayal of wealth ignores the emotional and moral responsibility it can carry.
However, the research also uncovered gender differences in emotional challenges. More women than men said the biggest strain was balancing professional and personal demands, and pressures around maintaining a lifestyle or social role. Women are also slightly more likely to feel responsible for others’ financial wellbeing.
Legacy, too, is being redefined. When asked about changes respondents are making to their financial legacy as a result of the current economic climate, 37% are prioritising long-term financial resilience for future generations. Others – chiming with by Bill Gates’s recent commitment to give away most of his fortune before he dies – include viewing legacy through a broader lens – one rooted in ethics, contribution and values and shifting focus towards philanthropy and community impact.
When asked what lies behind these pressures, many cite a fear of failure, feeling caught in a high-risk, high-reward cycle and experiencing imposter syndrome.
Others speak of the anxiety that comes from sacrificing mental health or peace of mind for profit, and the isolation that stems from being misunderstood, even by those closest to them. Difficulties trusting others, maintaining friendships without strain and a persistent sense of vulnerability also emerges as recurring themes, that over time can start to impact overall wellbeing.
Robert Currie, Head of Private Banking, UK at Nedbank Private Wealth, commented:
“The clients we work with aren’t disconnected from reality — they’re deeply embedded in it. Wealth doesn’t guarantee happiness or certainty; in fact, it often comes with added complexity, pressure, and responsibility. Many carry the weight of others’ futures on their shoulders, and in turbulent times like these, that burden can feel even heavier. Our role is to support not just their financial goals with sound advice, but also as individuals with their own set of unique emotional challenges across their personal and professional lives. That’s the full picture of wealth today.”
“Wealth planning, done well, isn’t about endless accumulation. It’s about stewardship — about making decisions with clarity, responsibility, and purpose. And that can be an overwhelming task, especially when the world feels unpredictable. The more honest we can be about the emotional realities of wealth, the better equipped we are to guide and support those living with it.”
The findings arrive at a time of renewed cultural reflection on wealth and wellbeing. Rather than calling for sympathy, they offer a powerful case for a more nuanced conversation about affluence – one that recognises not just the privileges, but the pressures that come with leadership, success and responsibility.
