Professional Services Agreement
Terms governing strategic advisory services for international families and institutional investors.
- Introduction
- 1. Scope of Services
- 2. Professional Standards & Disclaimers
- 3. Client Obligations
- 4. Confidentiality
- 5. Intellectual Property
- 6. Fees & Payment Terms
- 7. Limitation of Liability
- 8. Termination
- 9. Conflicts of Interest
- 10. Independent Contractor
- 11. Compliance & Ethics
- 12. Dispute Resolution
- 13. General Provisions
- 14. Acceptance
Professional Services Agreement
This Professional Services Agreement governs advisory services provided by Marco Milone (The Baron Milone) to clients. By engaging the Advisor’s services, clients agree to these terms.
1.
Scope of Services
Services include:
- Strategic Advisory – Investment intelligence, cross-border strategy, cultural due diligence
- Foresight Consulting – Scenario planning, trend analysis, strategic anticipation
- Family Office Guidance – Governance, succession planning, legacy continuity
- Board Advisory – Strategic counsel and governance oversight
- Cultural Intelligence – Europe–Asia dynamics, Japan market intelligence
Customized engagements. Specific scope, deliverables, timeline, and fees are defined in separate engagement letters.
2 Professional Standards & Disclaimers
Important Advisor Disclaimer:
- Services are advisory in nature, not legal, financial, investment, or accounting advice
- No guaranteed outcomes, results, or returns
- Clients must consult licensed professionals before implementing recommendations
- Strategic advice carries inherent uncertainty and risk
Professional Qualifications
- CEFA Certified European Financial Analyst
- CESGA Certified ESG Analyst
- IFTF Certified Foresight Practitioner
- Qualified Family Officer & Family Lead Advisor
- Master in Private Equity & Investment Funds
These credentials demonstrate specialized expertise in financial analysis, ESG integration, strategic foresight, and family office governance.
Important Distinction
While the Advisor holds professional certifications in financial analysis and family office management, services provided do not constitute:
- Regulated investment advisory (portfolio management, securities trading)
- Legal counsel or representation
- Accounting, tax preparation, or audit services
- Guaranteed financial returns or performance
The Advisor provides strategic intelligence, cultural analysis, governance guidance, and foresight consulting based on professional expertise and research.
3 Client Obligations
Clients must provide accurate, complete, and timely information; have decision making authority; and cooperate professionally throughout the engagement.
4 Confidentiality
Mutual confidentiality applies to: proprietary information, strategic plans, financial data, family dynamics, governance structures, and unpublished research. Confidentiality obligations survive termination indefinitely.
5 Intellectual Property
Advisor retains pre-existing IP (methodologies, frameworks, tools). Client specific deliverables belong to Client upon full payment. Advisor may use general insights and methodologies in future work.
6 Fees & Payment Terms
Fees determined by scope, complexity, and engagement type (hourly, project based, retainer, board compensation). Invoices due within 30 days. Reasonable expenses billed separately with pre-approval for material costs.
7 Limitation of Liability
Client Risk Acknowledgment: Strategic advice involves inherent uncertainty. Market conditions are unpredictable. Implementation is at the Client’s sole risk. No outcomes or performance are guaranteed.
8 Termination
30 days' notice for convenience, immediate for material breach. Client pays for services rendered through termination date. Confidentiality and IP provisions survive.
9 Conflicts of Interest
Advisor discloses known conflicts before engagements and may serve multiple clients in similar sectors with maintained confidentiality and no direct competitive conflicts.
10 Independent Contractor
Advisor is independent contractor, not employee, partner, or agent. Responsible for own taxes, insurance, and business operations.
11 Compliance & Ethics
Both parties comply with applicable laws and regulations, maintain ethical standards, and refrain from bribery, corruption, or unethical conduct.
12 Dispute Resolution
Good faith negotiation first, then mediation before litigation. Governed by Italian law with disputes subject to Italian courts jurisdiction.
13 General Provisions
Entire agreement with engagement letters. Amendments require written consent. If any provision unenforceable, remaining provisions remain valid. Neither party may assign without consent.
14 Acceptance
By engaging services, Client acknowledges having read and agreed to this Agreement.
This Agreement establishes general terms for professional services. Specific engagements are governed by detailed engagement letters or Statements of Work that define scope, deliverables, timeline, and fees.