Liz Dee, co-president of the New Jersey-based candy company Smarties, shares how her family-owned business maintains authenticity and relevance in a crowded marketplace, as well as the leadership advice she chose to ignore. Her Company Makes an Iconic 75-Year-Old Candy Popular for Halloween. Ignoring This ‘Bad’ Leadership Advice She Received Helps Drive Its Success […]
NEWS: Mango faces challenges in leadership succession and future direction
Following the sudden passing of Isak Andic, the founder and non-executive chairman of Mango, the Spanish fashion multinational faces its most critical challenges since its establishment in 1984. Following death of founder: Challenges Mango now faces in leadership succession and future direction Homepage image: Mango
NEWS: The role of parenting styles in family firms
Much has been written about the challenges of separating personal and professional roles in family-owned firms, but instilling family values and leadership qualities begins even earlier. This article presents findings from a recent study of 119 successors serving as CEOs in their family firms and 145 employees working directly with them to identify which parenting […]
NEWS: The messy Murdoch succession drama, explained
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp is navigating a court case that will impact the company’s future by determining how its voting shares will be divided among his four eldest children. The outcome of the succession process could have major implications for his media empire, as well as its role in shaping U.S. and global politics. The […]
Our mission: offering integral support for family-owned firms
It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as the new holder of IESE’s Chair of Family-Owned Business, which in 1987 became the first of its kind in Europe. Deep ties to family business Throughout the years, the Chair has witnessed profound shifts in the global business landscape while remaining true to its […]
2023-24 Annual Report
As another academic year winds down, we are pleased to share our 2023-24 Annual Report, a showcase of the Chair’s ongoing efforts to serve the global family-business community. On a personal note, this post also marks my last as the holder of the Chair of Family-Owned Business. Starting September 2024, Prof. Álvaro San Martín will […]
NEWS: Carlos March Delgado resigns as chairman of the board of Banca March
Carlos March Delgado has stepped down as the chairman of the board of Banca March at the age of 78 after serving as the longest-serving chairman of a Spanish bank (1974-2015). Learn more about his long and brilliant professional career (article in Spanish): Carlos March Delgado announces his resignation as chairman of the board of […]
Times of change and opportunity are coming for Spain’s family-owned firms
* This article originally appeared in the newspaper “Expansión” on May 4, 2024 under the title “Llegan tiempos de mudanza y oportunidad para la empresa familiar.” Family firms require solid corporate governance in order to maintain their relevance as engines of growth and employment. Spain’s corporate world has garnered global media attention in recent weeks […]
How changes in the family can benefit the family firm
Family-owned firms must navigate continuous change in both the external business environment and their own family sphere, shaped by births, deaths, married-ins and the evolving values and objectives of each new generation. As this Forbes article explores, changes in the family–while challenging–can also be a wellspring of new energy, capabilities and ideas. How Changes in […]
ADEFAM recognizes IESE for its entrepreneurial ecosystem
The Family Business Association of Madrid (ADEFAM) was created to support and defend the interests of family businesses in the Autonomous Community of Madrid. On April 8, IESE had the great honor of receiving an ADEFAM Award in recognition of its “complete entrepreneurial ecosystem in which they provide the advice, contacts, financing and research necessary […]
