Strong oversight and effective governance are essential to the continuity of family businesses. We support the identification and appointment of independent and experienced members for supervisory boards, advisory boards, and the boards of STAK structures. In doing so, we look beyond expertise and experience, focusing also on independence, personality, and the right balance between family, business, and oversight.

We also advise family businesses on matters related to ownership, governance, and control, with a focus on maintaining harmony and continuity. Based on strategic ambitions, such as growth, succession, and preserving core values, we help build future-proof governance structures.

The next generation plays a critical role in the future of family businesses. We support families in thoughtfully involving next-generation members in the business and preparing them for future responsibilities, including ownership, succession, and wealth stewardship. Through one-on-one advisory, we help them realize their potential and take the right steps in their careers.

Using talent assessments and coaching, we identify strengths early on, enabling next-generation members to take on the right roles within the family business and continue to grow.

Our experience with family businesses shows that culture, values, and internal dynamics play a decisive role in leadership decisions. This requires an executive search process that places strong emphasis on the upfront phase, where we work closely with our clients to thoroughly understand these elements.

This involves engaging with multiple stakeholders, including family members and employees, listening carefully, asking critical questions, and providing perspective on often intangible dynamics. By taking the time to understand the context first, we create the foundation to move with greater precision later, ultimately identifying the right leaders for key roles, while maintaining a balance between growth, continuity, and family harmony.

Strong governance is essential to the continuity and growth of a family business. It concerns how ownership, management, and oversight are structured to ensure clear responsibilities, transparency, and balanced decision-making.

As family businesses grow and multiple generations become involved, the need for a more formal governance structure increases. This may include establishing a supervisory board, advisory board, or a STAK structure. These structures help guide strategic decision-making and maintain a healthy balance between family interests and the interests of the business.

We support family businesses in strengthening their governance by advising on the design of management and oversight structures, and by identifying experienced and independent board members, advisors, and executives. In doing so, we help build strong, balanced governance frameworks that support long-term continuity and sustainable growth.

Succession is one of the most important—and often most sensitive—moments in the lifecycle of a family business. It is not only about transferring a role, but about thoughtfully structuring leadership, ownership, and governance for the next generation.

We support succession planning by working closely with the family and the board to define the long-term strategy, the desired leadership structure, and the role of the next generation. This may involve preparing a family member for a future leadership role through leadership advisory, appointing an external CEO or managing director through executive search, or providing interim leadership to ensure continuity during the transition or add specific expertise.

A well-managed succession process requires time, open dialogue, and an objective external perspective. By addressing succession early and in a structured way, family businesses can ensure continuity, develop talent, and maintain a healthy balance between family and business.