As we approach the end of the year, I find myself reflecting less on what we’ve finished and more on what we’re building.

Forest Systems has always been shaped by long horizons, by the big picture – by the forest, so to speak. That has meant seeking to better understand and offer clear reporting, clean data, and trustworthy systems that are more than just operational necessities, but the foundation your, your clients, your family offices rely on to make generational decisions.

And this year, more than any other, I’ve been reminded that we don’t build that foundation alone.

If 2025 revealed anything, it’s this: the world our clients operate in is becoming more complex by the day. The data volumes are bigger. The structures are more nuanced. The risks, especially around cybersecurity, are more consequential. And yet, in the middle of all that complexity, the real opportunity has become unmistakably simple: deepen our partnerships, increase our integrations, and continue strengthening the security backbone our clients trust us to uphold.

When I look back on this year, the moments that stand out to me aren’t the software releases or updates, though there were many. What I remember most clearly are the conversations with clients who came to us not just looking for a product, but for a partner. A family office wrestling with their reporting framework. A multigenerational enterprise exploring how to modernize their tech stack.

Even our newest relationship underscored a truth we see again and again: families at this level are not looking for vendors. They’re looking for thought partners who understand the stakes, the complexity, and the responsibility that comes with stewarding enormous amounts of financial information.

That’s where Forest will continue to stand apart.

1. Partnerships that strengthen the entire ecosystem.

The world is simply too complex for any one organization to do everything well. And it doesn’t need to. Our greatest value comes from doing what we do exceptionally well, and integrating with partners who bring their own excellence to the table. Over the next year, you’ll see us deepen relationships across the industry, from platforms that families already rely on to new partners expanding what’s possible in reporting, document management, operations, and engagement.

These partnerships aren’t add-ons; they are the strategy. Because shared data, shared systems, and shared purpose allow families to operate with more accuracy and confidence than any one tool can provide.

2. Integration as the new innovation.

When people talk about “innovation,” they tend to imagine breakthroughs. But the real breakthrough most families need right now is connection. Less swivel-chair work. Fewer disconnected processes. More unified data across everything they touch. That’s why integration has become the centerpiece of our roadmap. The more seamlessly systems talk to each other, the more efficiently families can run their organizations and the more confidently they can make forward-looking decisions.

Expect to see continuous expansion in our integration capabilities, always driven by what solves real problems for real users.

3. Security as a non-negotiable.

The threats have evolved. The expectations have evolved. And the responsibility we hold has never been bigger. Throughout 2025, we invested deeply in strengthening the security posture of our platform, expanding monitoring, tightening controls, and preparing for the next decade of risk, not the last decade’s.

Our SOC 2 work and the standards we hold ourselves to aren’t boxes to check. They are the guardrails protecting the families who trust us. In 2026, this commitment will only grow stronger.

Looking ahead, I’m energized by what Forest is becoming. We’re not just a platform, but a partner. Not just a tool, but an ecosystem connector. Not just a reporting solution, but a long-term infrastructure decision for families who need clarity, continuity, and confidence far beyond a single fiscal year.

To our clients, our partners, and the families we’re honored to serve: thank you for another year of trust. We don’t take it lightly. And we’re already building for what’s next.

Here’s to a strong close to 2025, and an even stronger beginning to 2026.

Ed Van Deman
Founder & CEO, Forest Systems