Share |

European family businesses

January 12, 2018

European family businesses are buoyant about the business outlook for the next 12 months, but political risks continue to cloud the horizon. Nicholas Moody reports

European family businesses are buoyant about the business outlook for the next 12 months, but political risks continue to cloud the horizon. Nicholas Moody reports

Increasingly fine conditions, with the threat of geopolitical thunderstorms. If the outlook for European family businesses was a weather forecast this would sum up the current mood of leaders, who while optimistic, are watching the horizon closely.

Family businesses want to Remain in the EU on better terms for the UK

June 21, 2016

Leaders of $100 million family businesses say they and Britain are conditionally better off in the European Union in the week of the controversial referendum.

Leaders of $100 million family businesses say they and Britain are conditionally better off in the European Union in the week of the controversial referendum.

An overwhelming 75% of principal owners, chief executives and trusted advisers said the United Kingdom should stay in the EU, in our exclusive survey of the global Campden Wealth community.

“A strong united EU is needed for world peace,” a Remain-voting, Europe based principal of a $500 million to $1 bilion family business said.

Fit for a King: the UK multi entrepreneurial family behind International Group

January 29, 2016

The King family has built a family business managing everything from hospitals in Nigeria to a 1,900-seat restaurant at the home of English football. Hertford and Chester King discuss expanding their country club Stoke Park, planning an A-list development, and working with one of China’s biggest entrepreneurs.

Family business Roundup: Henkel, Reliance Industries, Edelman

January 22, 2016

Henkel names new CEO; Reliance issues share to battle Bharti; Family businesses top Edelman trust poll

Henkel names Hans Van Bylen as new CEO
Hans Van Bylen is to take over at German consumer goods maker Henkel after its incumbent chief executive Kasper Rorsted left to become the new CEO of Adidas.

Van Bylen, Henkel’s former head of the beauty care business, joined the family-controlled firm in 1984 and has been a member of the management board since 2005.

Hugo Peris: a sight for sore eyes

January 15, 2016

After working in the pharmaceuticals industry in China, New Zealand, and Spain, 31-year-old Hugo Peris, a fourth-generation member of Spanish family business Laboratorios Salvat, is embarking on his first independent venture.

Italian state lender to set up equity fund for family businesses

December 16, 2015

State-owned Italian bank Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) is to set up a private equity fund to help family businesses, but a family business expert questions to what degree it will achieve its aim of helping them go public.

The initiative is the first of many more planned by the CDP as part of its plans to invest in domestic companies and help boost the country’s economy.

The private equity fund is one of the pillars of the new business plan.

New generation of Asian entrepreneurs are in business for the long haul

December 2, 2015

Entrepreneurs in Asia are more likely to take a long-term approach to their enterprise, according to new research – less than a quarter in China intend to exit their businesses compared to half in the UK.

They are also more likely to keep their wealth in the business, with the average turnover in the region sitting at $12 million, compared to $6 million in the West; while their personal wealth is averages $16.2 million – 26% lower than Western entrepreneurs in the US and Europe.

Majority of European family businesses tapping into international markets

November 25, 2015

Three quarters of European family businesses are operating internationally, and 23% say furthering growth abroad is their top priority over the next two years, according to new research.

Three quarters of European family businesses are operating internationally, and 23% say furthering growth abroad is their top priority over the next two years, according to new research.

This is at odds with a common perception that family businesses tend to be domestically-focussed, said the KPMG report European Family Business Trends.

The report was based on research that included surveys with 125 family businesses and a further 125 high net worth individuals.

Eight-gen family business Start-rite heads into non-family management

October 16, 2015

The family that owns children's shoemaker Start-rite is relinquishing management control for the first time in the firm's 200-year history and plans to hand over equity to attract top-rank directors.

The family that owns children's shoemaker Start-rite is relinquishing management control for the first time in the firm's 200-year history and plans to hand over equity to attract top-rank directors.

Remembering Roger Pedder, former Clarks chairman

October 16, 2015

Roger Pedder, the man credited with turning around shoe manufacturer and retailer Clarks, and helping it become one of the sector's top companies globally, has died from leukaemia aged 74.

Roger Pedder, the man credited with turning around shoe manufacturer and retailer Clarks, and helping it become one of the sector's top companies globally, has died from leukaemia aged 74.

He became chairman of UK-based Clarks in 1993 following disputes between family members over whether to sell amid stagnant turnover and falling dividends.

A retail specialist, Pedder heavily expanded Clarks' high-street presence, a move that paid off as operating profit increased from £27.6 million in 1993/94 to £94.2 million in 2005/06.