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Do most family businesses really fail by the third generation?

July 22, 2021

Many articles or speeches about family businesses include a reference to the “three-generation rule,” which says that most don’t survive beyond three generations. But that perception could not be further from the truth.

If you’re a fan of the HBO show Succession, or if you’re aware of the conflicts playing out publicly and perennially among some of the most visible family businesses in the world—think the Murdochs or Sumner Redstone’s family—you might assume that family businesses are more fragile than other forms of enterprise.

UK family firms thump public companies when it comes to trust

July 25, 2014

The UK public is more than twice as likely to trust a company if it is family owned than if it is publicly listed, new research from the Institute for Family Business (IFB) reveals.

The UK public is more than twice as likely to trust a company if it is family owned than if it is publicly listed, new research from the Institute for Family Business (IFB) reveals.

A poll, conducted by international market research firm YouGov for the family business organisation, found 55% of the population thinks family ownership is important to business trustworthiness. Only 26% thought this for public companies.

Family business leaders are the only role models left

July 28, 2010

When the recently elected British prime minister David Cameron was in the US last week he avoided a photo opportunity with one of the country’s most prominent company leaders, writes David Bain.

When the recently elected British prime minister David Cameron was in the US last week he avoided a photo opportunity with one of the country's most prominent company leaders, writes David Bain.

Fatal attraction: families and MBAs

August 27, 2009

Do MBA students still aspire to work at listed companies despite the recent knock to their reputations? David Craik assesses what family businesses could do to attract them

Twelve months ago consultancy firm Hill & Knowlton released a report stating that MBA students were more attracted to the idea of working for a listed company than one that is family-owned. Have attitudes changed over the past 12 months as the global economic crisis damaged the reputations of many listed companies?

Time to go private again?

November 1, 2006

Many family businesses that made the decision to go public several decades ago have been disappointed. François de Visscher explains why, though a complex and risky path, going private could be for the long-term benefit of the business

François de Visscher is founder and president of the family business consultancy de Visscher & Co. www.devisscher.com