Succession

Artificial intelligence, the ESG avalanche, increased global mobility and a virus that has turned lives upside down and shifted behaviour and one thing is clear: the world is not the same as it was some years ago and trying to plan for a transition in today’s environment is challenging at best.

There has been a growing focus on mental health and work—but this has been restricted to startups and mental health in the workplace. We have conversations about employee wellbeing, but not about the health of the leader of the enterprise, or the next generation entrepreneur.

This is an important question to explore because it affects not only individual wellbeing, but also could affect the way business is conducted and may cascade down to employees.

Marc Puig Guasch, third-generation principal of the global $1.8 billion Spanish family-owned fashion and fragrance business Puig, hails his father as a “titan with a human touch” who led by listening and brought out the best in people.

The chief executive and president of Puig went on to tell CampdenFB why the family is determined to retain control and grow the enterprise but discourage its fourth generation from management.

Indian diamond merchant Savji Dholakia says the trust of family, staff welfare and environmental, social and governance values are his priorities in his $1.2 billion family business, with finance and growth the “by-products” of his lifelong enterprise.

The 59-year-old Hurun India Rich List principal, whose family business is managed by a team of four brothers (pictured below right), three partners and eight young adult children, also said he does not believe in planning his succession.