Ensuring Smooth Transitions to Succeeding Generations

We assist family firms in setting the governance and business infrastructure that ensures smooth transitions to succeeding generations. We believe that good corporate governance can help family businesses to overcome some of the challenges they face, and that a sound governance practice is indispensable to the long term success of the family business and to overall harmony in the family. We assist families to set up clear rules and to have clear business strategies. We ensure that there is a clear transition plan in place that is agreed to and communicated to all. Our operative goal is to ensure a governance framework that would promote family accord, ensure a smooth transition from generation to generation, foster a sense of purpose, avoid conflicts among family members, and promote the sustainable growth of the family business. We also formulate the family constitution providing for the family members’ interaction and commitment to the mission, vision and core values of the family business.

We offer services in a range of areas geared to the needs and dynamics of the family business such as family councils, family values, board structures, family appointment criteria, shareholding, retirement, unemployed family members, profit sharing and distribution, family disputes resolution and entrenchment of sanctions regarding breaches of the family constitution. We are cognizant of the fear of most founders as regards losing control of the business as the business grows and develops. In this regard, we optimize shareholding structures to create the desired blend of influence and circulation of power. We also assist to establish a family advisory board to offer a forum to discuss and agree on family business issues at a strategic level.

Core Strategic Areas

Establishment of Family Councils and Family Advisory Boards

Documentation of Family Values

Shareholding Structuring and Optimization

Board Structuring and Development

Development of Family Appointments Criteria, Effectiveness Reviews and Performance Assessment Framework

Profit Sharing and Profit Distribution Documentation

Succession Planning

Board Evaluation Services and Performance Matrix Development

Board Compensation Advisory

Documentation of Guidelines in Relation to Family Exits and Valuation

Formulation and Documentation of a Disciplinary Policy and Internal Dispute Resolution Framework

Trainings and Re-orientation

Our Process Highlight

Our family owned business advisory process ensures the laying of a foundation for sustainability, setting up of systems for management of differences within the family, and the institution of long term family business prosperity. Our approach is tailored to meet the varieties of corporate governance issues that a family business may face, and propose simple and cost effective solutions. We strive to understand the values driving the business and to gain the trust of the owners. To achieve these, we undertake meetings and inquisitions with the key family members and therefrom, formulate a united strategy for the business that will ensure that the family retains an enduring role in the business. We create simple internal policies that clearly set out the duties of care, skill and diligence required of key persons within the organization. Further to creating policies and charters to ensure sustainability and succession, we create a competency framework upon which such succession would be founded. We also organize training sessions for the different levels of generations in the family business, to guide them to develop strong corporate governance ethos.

Formulating a United Vision

Our approach is tailored to address typical corporate governance issues that a family business may face and propose simple and cost effective solutions. We strive at all times to understand the values driving the business. We formulate a united vision for the business that will ensure that the family retains an enduring role in the business. We create simple internal policies that clearly set out the duty of care, skill and diligence required of key persons within the business.