A Case Study: The Henkel Family Succession
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA - Henkel headquarters in Düsseldorf Most family enterprises begin with a shared story. Few survive once that story has to hold hundreds of shareholders. As families grow …
A Case Study: The Kristiansen Family Succession
Sarion - Legoland Dubai, Entrance Most family dynasties follow a familiar pattern: the first generation builds, the second expands, the third dissipates, and the fourth struggles to stay relevant. The Kristiansen family, …
A Case Study: The Birla and Bajaj Successions
Nikhilb239 - Birla Mandir in Hyderabad The story of modern Indian private capital is, in many ways, the story of the Marwari business community. Originating from the arid Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, …
Closer Look 23: The Keys to Genuine Heir Participation
Many family principals have been there. They prepare a meeting on an important aspect of financial stewardship, only to be met with indifference from the next generation. One adult child scrolls through their phone, …
A Case Study: Aristotle Onassis and Stavros Niarchos
Calflier001 - Stavros R Narchos River Mersey The maritime history of the twentieth century was shaped by the strategic and personal collision of two men: Aristotle Onassis and Stavros Niarchos. Known as …
Closer Look 22: Why ‘Stewardship’ and ‘Transparency’ Are the Keys to Successful Wealth Transfer
Imagine this scene: the family council gathers to discuss legacy plans. The elders, however, can’t agree on how much to tell the children. One parent worries that too much information, too soon, will dull …
A Case Study: The Aga Khan Imamat
For most institutions, succession is a moment of risk. For the Ismaili Imamat, it is the mechanism through which continuity is proven. The Aga Khan is not the head of a state, yet he …
Closer Look 21: How Most Wealth Transfers Fail, and Why Your Fiduciary Can’t Fix It
Let's be honest about the question grantors ask when they worry about inevitable disagreements after their passing. It isn’t really about the legal interpretation of a document. The unspoken, underlying fear is that the …
A Case Study: The Guinness Succession
Zach Meaney - Good day for a Guinness When Arthur Guinness signed a lease at St James’s Gate, he set in motion one of the most extraordinary business stories in Europe. The …
Closer Look 20: Why Broken Trust is the Real Reason 60% of Wealth Transfers Fail
Let's be honest about the conversation most wealth creators dread: the talk with your adult children about their inheritance. The anxiety is legitimate. Will the conversation feel morbid, like a cold discussion about mortality? …