Abstract This article analyses the use of private trust companies and dedicated trust companies (DTCs) in Switzerland. The Swiss trust industry has evolved steadily over the last few years, thanks to the creation of a solid regulatory framework. Professional trustees are now qualified as financial institutions, subject to licensing requirements and placed under the supervision of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority. This regulation introduced Swiss DTCs as a type of private trust company. DTCs are independent of the family, being held and supervised by a licensed trustee, and allow full flexibility in terms of governance evolving in the concept of a Swiss single-family office.