Family Business

Dear families and friends,

While we continue to navigate the unprecedented changes, there are many lessons that we can draw on passed down from generation to generation among family businesses. Family firms face the defining moments of change at each generation. And at each transition, a web of issues can arise with far reaching implications for both the family and the business. Yet some, miraculously, survive and even thrive, passing the family torch with the flame still blazing.  They do this because they build strong foundations, they have difficult conversations, they plan and prepare for the inevitable, and painful, event – the passing of their leaders. The end of one chapter, the beginning of another. Each generation renews itself, taking some parts of the past, and replacing others that may not serve their mission and values.

So, who are these superstars among us that stand the test of time? How have they done it across generations? What can we learn from them?   This is the quest of our Award program, and I am delighted to Chair our inaugural Family Business Awards in the GCC.  These awards not only recognize the importance of family business to the GCC, but they also put the spotlight on family groups, their families and teams who are winning against the odds of the generational challenges – whether it is through rigorous planning and foresight, sheer unshakeable family unity or ingenious innovation and creativity.

Along with our Jury, I look forward to learning about their stories and celebrating the best of the best in our region.

Sincerely,
Hind Bahwan

Chair, FBCG Family Business Awards

Dear families and friends,

The generations before us gave us a strong foundation, with roots to keep us grounded in the legacy we seek to preserve. The mission of the awards is to recognize those committed to our continuity.

If we think of our community of family enterprises as an oasis of trees, individually we stand strong, but together united we form an ecosystem that can stand the test of time.

The trunk of each tree is the core of our family businesses, many of which are SMEs. These family firms are the beating heart of our communities and we wish to award one who has weathered storms and remained standing firm.

Our next generation are the tree branches, constantly reaching out for the sky, pushing boundaries, and expanding into new opportunities. We include two NexGen categories in this year’s awards – venture and innovation – to recognize the essential role the next generation play in our growth.

Just as no tree can survive without its leaves, no family can thrive without their employees. The loyalty and commitment of employees helps our resilience and continuity too. In our final category, we wish to acknowledge long-standing non-family executive who stood by our side.

As Chairman of FBCG, I am delighted to launch our award program and welcome your participation to celebrate the successes “by families, for families, together across generations”.

Sincerely,
Omar K. Alghanim

Chairman, FBCG