# Briar Hall Management

Briar Hall Management is a Single Family Office based in Chicago, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Single Family Office
- **Headquarters:** Chicago, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Chicago, IL, United States
- **Assets under management:** 14000 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** briarhall.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/briar-hall-llc/

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Briar Hall Management was established to serve the Smith family. Harold Byron Smith Jr., former ITW vice chairman, led the family until his death in 2022. David B. Smith Jr. continues as a family principal and ITW director. The office allocates across buyouts, venture capital, infrastructure and natural resources. It uses direct co-investments, SPVs and fund-of-funds structures. Confirmed positions include holdings tied to Illinois Tool Works. Geographic reach centers on North America with additional exposure to global alternative investments. Energy Transition & Renewables and Industrial Tech form core sector focuses alongside biotech. Briar Hall employs integrated wealth management, trust and fiduciary services for multiple family households. It maintains offices in Chicago and real-asset holdings that include Briar Hall Estate in Lake Forest, Illinois and Aloha Lodge on Geneva Lake, Wisconsin. John Benevides holds YPO membership. David B. Smith Jr. serves as Executive Vice President of the Mutual Fund Directors Forum. No operational events from the last 24 months appear in available records. The firm operates a private trust company alongside its investment activities. This structure separates fiduciary administration from the family's operating-company ties to Illinois Tool Works while preserving multigenerational control.

## Sectors

- Energy Transition & Renewables
- Industrial Tech

## People

- John Benevides — President and CEO
- David B. Smith Jr. — Family Member
- Harold Byron Smith Jr. — Former Vice Chairman of ITW

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Briar Hall Management?

John Benevides serves as President and CEO. David B. Smith Jr. participates as a family principal with oversight ties to Illinois Tool Works.

### Does Briar Hall participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The firm uses direct co-investments, SPVs, fund-of-funds and infrastructure vehicles.

### What investment stages does Briar Hall typically target?

Buyout and venture capital stages receive primary allocation.

### Which sectors receive the largest allocations?

Energy Transition & Renewables, Industrial Tech and biotech form the documented sector focuses.

### How is Briar Hall related to Illinois Tool Works?

The Smith family remains a major shareholder in Illinois Tool Works; Briar Hall manages the resulting wealth.

### Does Briar Hall maintain philanthropic structures?

Several family foundations exist, including the Harold B. Smith Foundation and Smith Family Foundation Fund.

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Last updated: 2026-08-10T16:07:01.704Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/briar-hall-management-llc

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