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ownership

As pretty as a picture? Smart investments in the art world

September 27, 2016

With concerns over fraud and ownership, the art world offers myriad pitfalls for the unwary, causing experts to advise bringing in specialists to help ensure that investments do not turn sour.

With concerns over fraud and ownership, the art world offers myriad pitfalls for the unwary, causing experts to advise bringing in specialists to help ensure that investments do not turn sour. Daniel Bardsley reports

When the painting Judith Beheading Holofernes was presented in public for the first time earlier this year, some hailed it as a lost masterpiece.

Matter Family Office changes to partnership structure with view to sustainability

August 7, 2015

Working alongside future generations of clients was one of two driving factors in governance and ownership changes at Matter Family Office, according to a member of its new board of managers.

Working alongside future generations of clients was one of two driving factors in governance and ownership changes at Matter Family Office, according to a member of its new board of managers.

The US multi family office, based between Denver and St Louis, announced last month it was shifting from a firm led by a CEO and managing director to a partnership. Founded in 1990, the firm serves 50 core clients across 20 states, with $5 billion assets under management.

Family businesses are Italy's economic engine but face governance challenge

December 18, 2011

Family businesses are the backbone of Italy’s economy but governance seems to be their biggest challenge, with many family firms struggling when it comes to integrating non-family executives.

Family businesses are the backbone of Italy’s economy but governance seems to be their biggest challenge, with many family firms struggling when it comes to integrating non-family executives and expanding the business, according to a leading academic.

Guido Corbetta, professor of family business at Bocconi University, told CampdenFB that companies with concentrated ownership and leadership structures, typically with few family members involved, tend to work best.

Top 100 family businesses in North America

June 15, 2011

Family businesses are alive and well in the US, with the top 100 generating approximately $1.6 trillion to America’s $14.6 trillion GDP in 2010. Just under half of the top 100 are owned outright by the family, a higher proportion than in Europe, where Campden’s top 100 family business for the region found that less than a third were fully controlled by the family.

Shifting powers at Blackwell

September 10, 2010

Family-owned bookseller Blackwell plans to follow in the footsteps of department store John Lewis in transferring the ownership of the company to its staff.

Third-generation group chairman Toby Blackwell, grandson of founder Benjamin Blackwell, said he was setting up an employee partnership, giving away his shares and following the John Lewis Partnership model. "I have been studying this in detail and practice," he told Bookseller magazine on 8 September.

Family businesses worried by proxy access rule

September 1, 2010

Family-controlled businesses in the US are gearing up for new regulations that will see minority shareholders exerting more influence over board appointments, writes David Bain.

Family-controlled businesses in the US are gearing up for new regulations that will see minority shareholders exerting more influence over board appointments, writes David Bain.

The ruling could not only undermine existing family-owned business structures, but also deter such businesses raising funds in capital markets.

Seven steps to responsible ownership

September 1, 2010

Successful business families regard their ownership of the business as a fundamental asset serving a common purpose with the aim of the present generation to transfer successfully to the next, writes Jurgen Geerlings

Successful business families regard their ownership of the business as a fundamental asset serving a common purpose of the family as a whole, writes Jurgen Geerlings.

The aim of the present generation is to transfer the ownership to the following generation in a good state.

Governance: Fourteen steps to stronger family governance

August 26, 2010

Ken McCracken and Hakan Hillerstrom discuss new guidelines that are designed to encourage corporate governance best practice in family-owned companies

In March 2010, the European Confederation of Director's Association (ecoDa) published a set of corporate governance guidelines intended to be implemented by unlisted companies. Based on similar guidelines already available in Spain, Belgium and Finland, other countries across Europe are currently discussing how to adapt the ecoDa guidelines for their own use.

The fixers

September 30, 2008

Mel Stern takes a look at two family-owned businesses that have reaped the rewards of bringing in a turnaround manager

Family business – to sell or not to sell?

November 1, 2007

In this article, the first of the new Families in Business debate section, Dennis Jaffe argues the benefits owners can expect from selling while Tom Davidow fights for the non-sale corner and keeping the business together for the next generation

Dennis Jaffe is a founding partner of Relative Solutions.
Tom Davidow is founder and principal of Thomas D Davidow & Associates, based in Brookline, MA.

Yes – seriously consider selling