Helping families build a stronger family business ecosystem by addressing their societal, business, ownership, family, and individual strategies and well-being.
IMD Global Family Business Center
Helping families build a stronger family business ecosystem by addressing their societal, business, ownership, family, and individual strategies and well-being.
We are a world-leading center of excellence in research, education, and outreach for family enterprises globally.
Enterprising families are at the heart of the world economy and society. In our work, we help these enterprising families, their boards, and executives become the best version of themselves to ensure family unity and multi-generational success.
Today, our center of excellence operates from our campuses in Lausanne and Singapore and delivers off-site programs worldwide. We design and deliver open and custom programs for families, family businesses, family offices, and family foundations.
Explore your program options
Our expertise is based on our deep understanding of the complexities of family enterprises from our work with many of the leading families and family enterprises in the world over the last 30 years.
Customized programs are tailor-made programs for individual families. They are available upon request and are designed together with the family. They provide an in-depth, tailor-made approach to understanding and resolving the challenges faced by a specific family business.
We offer highly specialized advisory to family enterprises globally. We help nurture talent, solve problems and unlock opportunities for family enterprise systems.
We are devoted to helping families achieve multi-generational success for their families, ownership groups, enterprises, and financial wealth. We provide services that transform families and owners into more capable, better organized and more united groups while supporting their enterprises, management teams, boards, and financial wealth to thrive over generations.
Family enterprises are faced with a set of unique challenges related to governance, succession, family dynamics, and strategy. The IMD Global Family Business Center has been a trusted partner for enterprising families for more than three decades, helping them navigate into a bright future.
Insights & Research
Through our research and educational work with family businesses from all over the world, we have gained some extraordinary insights into the dynamics that can drive family businesses either to outstanding achievements or to failure. With the ongoing support of the Wild Group Chair for Family Business and the Debiopharm Chair for Family Philanthropy, we have produced a wide range of publications, some published in top international academic journals.
Your Guide to Building a Multigenerational Family Office
In today’s complex world, family offices play a pivotal role in safeguarding a family’s heritage and unity while preserving and growing generational wealth. As the world around us evolves, so too must family offices adapt to meet the changing needs of their families. The Family Office Navigator offers enterprising families a comprehensive and practical guide to design a modern family office that considers the complexity of their family, wealth, and enterprise in turbulent times.
Browse some of the Center’s recent publications by type
The family business issue: Adapt to survive and thrive
Family enterprises are among the most resilient businesses in the world. But now more than ever striking the right balance between resilience and adaptability is vital. In Issue 8 of I by IMD we present crucial insights into how families can face up to the challenges created by a world in flux.
A research report in collaboration with FBN International that highlights how philanthropy becomes a lifelong passion as families start to see that they can make a real difference in the world.
To support family philanthropists in their philanthropic journeys, we joined forces with FBN International to conduct a global research project entitled “Navigating Your Family’s Philanthropic Future Across Generations.” In this report, we share insights collected from leading philanthropic families from around the globe.
We have examined their approach to family philanthropy, opportunities, and challenges, as well as the impact of their philanthropy on various levels, such as the cause, the family, business, and society at large. This extensive research project has informed not only this report but was also an invaluable source of knowledge for Family Philanthropy Navigator.
Media & Events
The IMD Global Family Business Center helps family enterprises ensure the sustainable success of their business and family, whether large or small. We organize webinars and give presentations at various conferences around the world or virtually.
Keep up to date on our events, news and thought leadership. Join the Family Business Center on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter below!
Family Business Awards
Distinguishing prestigious family businesses around the world since 1996
Promotes the indispensable role family businesses play in the global economy and serves as a platform for family businesses to exchange best practices and analyze the economic backdrop.
Celebrating commitment to sustainability by family businesses (running from 2019 to 2021)
Rewards family-owned enterprises that are leaders in sustainability, demonstrating exceptional breadth and depth in their sustainability strategy, and exemplary implementation and impact.
About the Family Business Center
The Center offers pioneering research, executive education and advisory services that bring together a unique team.
She is an École Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) alumni with a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality & Business Management. Before joining the Family Business Center, Martin supported our IMD Operations team in organizing the logistics for our executive training programs and was appointed as Lead Program Coordinator (PC) for all Family Business open and custom programs. She understands family business & family office dynamics well and is passionate about finding a solution for their unique needs.
She is outgoing, loves working in a dynamic team, and knows how to build authentic connections with people. She is driven by topics concerning sustainability, equality and strives to contribute to these issues through her work.
Matthew Crudgington is a distinguished professional who orchestrates the intricate web of relationships with affluent business families, eminent family offices, and pivotal strategic partners.
At IMD since 2015, Matthew is the architect of educational odysseys, and he ensures the seamless integration of design and execution within the IMD Global Family Business Centre’s framework.
An alumnus of the prestigious Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), Matthew has cultivated a robust management portfolio across diverse sectors including health and leisure, FinTech, and the sphere of academia. His work at EHL was marked by his influential role as Head of Alumni and Partnerships, where he steered EHL’s vibrant and expansive alumni network towards new horizons.
His exceptional interpersonal, communication, and leadership abilities are complemented by an unwavering optimism. A passionate sports enthusiast and a mentor at heart, Matthew dedicates himself to coaching football, shaping both the minds and talents of aspiring athletes.
Virginie Boillat-Carrard coordinates and ensures the smooth running of center’s activities. She manages various projects and initiatives including center’s events, communication and the two Family Business awards (IMD Global Family Business Award and IMD-Pictet Sustainability in Family Business Award).
She joined IMD 20 years ago and worked in various departements including Program Operations, MBA International Consulting Project, Sustainability and CEO Center.
Prior to joining IMD, Boillat-Carrard worked for Swissair mostly in sales, press and public relations and marketing. She is interested in hidden dynamics of families and how it can influence business, relationships, and even health.
Anouk Lavoie conducts research on family enterprises and develops learning content and pedagogical tools for family business-focused programs. She also orchestrates the IMD Global Family Business Award.
She is an experienced researcher and writer who has worked extensively with senior executives on a broad range of topics including corporate governance, family business, leadership and digital transformation.
Her core areas of expertise are qualitative analysis, diagnostics and practitioner-oriented field research. She has also worked with the Federal Polytechnic Institute of Lausanne (EPFL), where she developed graduate-level curricula for online learning.
Luciana Lucena de Lima is the Debiopharm Fellow in Family Philanthropy. She brings extensive wealth management and family business research experience from her tenure with UHNW families at institutions like UBS, Citibank and LGT Venture Philanthropy.
With a Brazilian family business background, she advocates for structured family philanthropy to address societal inequalities while promoting unity among family members. Her research focuses on wealth creation and distribution in family businesses and has been presented at prestigious conferences worldwide.
Holding a PhD from the University of St. Gallen, she is also certified in Family Wealth Advising and Family Business Governance. Luciana also serves as a Research Fellow at the Global Family Business Institute at ESADE Business School and as a Visiting Researcher at the Center for Corporate Responsibility at ZHAW.
Peter is a senior partner and shareholder at PwC Germany. He leads their global Family Business practice as well as their Entrepreneurial and Private Business Services in EMEA. Before joining PwC, Peter spent 25 years as a senior partner at EY, where he developed and led their Family Business and Family Office practices and headed the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award in Germany.
As a co-author of various family business, family office, and growth company-related publications in collaboration with globally leading business schools and institutions, he was able to build a strong reputation and a leading market position for PwC globally. He holds a strong personal global network with business owners and executives as well as leading academic and professional institutions and served as a board member at the international Family Firm Institute (FFI).
Englisch is recognized as “Global Top 100 Family Business Influencer” by Family Capital Publishing (UK) and is an inaugural member of the “Global Family Business Hall of Fame” by Family Business United (UK).
As a German tax advisor, accountant, and US-CPA, he has more than 32 years’ experience in providing both international and national companies with assurance and advisory service with a focus on supporting family businesses and family offices in addressing a broad range of issues, including succession planning, family and business governance, and growth strategies and sustainable business transformation. In 2009 he invented EY´s and PwC´s Global NextGen Program with a focus on supporting the next generation of Family Business Owners in their future roles as owners, board members, and executives. As leader of the program since its inception, he has mentored more than 900 NextGen worldwide.
We are very fortunate to benefit from two Chairs dedicated to the study and support of family businesses.
The Wild Group Chair on Family Businesses has been instrumental in funding research and educational activities at the Center since 2001.
The purpose of this Chair is the exploration of the management needs of family-held businesses and strategic partnerships in this field. Another of its aims is the furthering of entrepreneurial culture throughout business owning families and enterprising families.
The Chair was donated by Hans-Peter Wild, former owner of Wild Flavors (which he sold to ADM in 2014) and current owner and chairman of the Wild Group and the Capri-Sun Group (which includes the world-famous Capri Sun fruit juice brand.)
IMD is extremely grateful to Dr Wild for his continued support of family business research and education. His generosity and commitment help to ensure that IMD remains a world pioneer in this fascinating field.
Over the past 20 years prestigious family business faculty were appointed to the Wild Group Chair on Family Businesses and all have delivered premium programs and published cutting-edge research and insights in family business, contributing significantly to both the reach and reputation the Center continues to enjoy today.
As of 2001, Professor John Ward held the Wild Group Chair on Family Businesses. His teaching and research interests are in family enterprise continuity, governance, philanthropy, and sustainable strategy. Professor Ward has authored several books including the best-selling “Keeping the Family Business Healthy”, “Creating Effective Boards for Private Enterprises”, “Strategic Planning for the Family Business”, “Perpetuating the Family Business”, as well as the “Family Business Leadership Series“, several cases, and numerous articles.
In 2013, Denise Kenyon-Rouvinez was appointed Wild Group Professor of Family Business. Her research as Wild Group Chair include a specific focus on strategic alliances among privately-owned companies as well as between public and private firms. In particular it investigates how to preserve key drivers of family business performance – values and corporate culture – during merger times and beyond. Professor Denise Kenyon-Rouvinez has authored several books: “Governance in Family Enterprises, Maximizing Economic and Emotional Success”, “A Woman’s Place, The Crucial Roles of Women in Family Business”, “Sharing Wisdom, Building Values, Letters from Family Business Owners to Their Successors “, “Family Business, Key Issues”, “Why Me? Wealth: Creating, Receiving and Passing It On”, “Who, Me? Family Business Succession. A Practical Guide for the Next Generation“.
In 2020, IMD appoints family business expert Alfredo De Massis to spearhead research within the Wild Group Chair at IMD. Alfredo’s research focuses on the management, governance and behavioral aspects of family enterprises and how to ensure their prosperity across generations. He has advanced understanding of how family business leaders balance economic and non-economic goals in strategic decision-making, and manage the paradox of tradition and innovation.
The Debiopharm Chair for Family Philanthropy aims to increase the social and financial impact of family giving as well as to develop best practices in family philanthropy. Another of its aims is to leverage philanthropy as a catalyst for the transmission of family values across generations, branches and nationalities.
The Chair was donated in 2016 by Thierry Mauvernay, President and Delegate of the Board of Debiopharm Group.
IMD was the birthplace of family business education in 1988.
We are forever indebted to Frank Tilley, former executive-in-residence, who identified family business as a field IMD ought to be active in, and to Professor Alden Lank, the first faculty member to lead the initiative.
Professors John Davis, Ivan Lansberg and John Ward were instrumental in launching the first Leading the Family Business (LFB) program in 1988. Dr Stephan Schmidheiny underwrote the pilot study.
The IMD Global Family Business Award was launched in 1996, with The Lego Group, the first of many prestigious winners over the years. The award has continued to grow in reputation, promoting the indispensable role that family businesses play in the global economy.
LFB continues to be an enormous success, generating much interest from around the world. The subsequent demand for custom programs (tailor-made for specific family business needs) has increased steadily and, in 2004, after welcoming more than 400 families from over 40 countries, we celebrated the 1,000th family business participant milestone.
In 2008, the 20th anniversary of family business research and education at IMD was marked with the presence of Warren Buffett, who engaged openly with faculty and families alike. In 2009, the Biennial Family Business Forum was introduced as well as the first program specifically for Chinese family businesses.
The IMD Global Family Business Center, in its current form, was officially inaugurated in 2011. Growing demand saw the welcome introduction of a new program: Leading the Family Office (LFO) in 2013.
In 2019, the IMD-Pictet Sustainability in Family Business Award was launched, celebrating and rewarding effort, performance and progress in the field of sustainability.
In September 2019, Professor Peter Vogel took over the directorship of the Global Family Business Center. Before him, prestigious family business faculty have led IMD’s family business initiatives over the years, including Joachim Schwass, Denise Rouvinez. All have delivered premium programs and published cutting-edge research and insights in family business, contributing significantly to both the reach and reputation that the Center continues to enjoy today.
The story continues…
Recognized for its major contributions to education, research, and outreach, our world-leading hub is a unique place to prepare family businesses for sustainable success.
2023
FAMILY BUSINESS HALL OF FAME – Peter Vogel inducted > read more
EUROPEAN RESEARCH NETWORK ON PHILANTRHOPY (ERNOP)
best conference paper award, Peter Vogel, Malgozata Smulovitz and Alfredo De Massis
FAMILY FIRM INSTITUTE – Barbara Hollander Award, Alfredo De Massis > read more
JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES – Reviewer of the year award, Alfredo De Massis
EIX.org – Schulze Publication Awards, Alfredo De Massis
GERMAN-SPEAKING RESEARCH CENTERS AND INSTITUES FOR FAMILY BUSINESS (FIFU), best paper award, Ivan Miroshnychenko
2022
EUROPEAN INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCES STUDIES IN MANAGEMENT (EIASM)
Best paper award, Alfredo De Massis, Ivan Miroshnychenko
FAMILY BUSINESS HALL OF FAME – Alfredo De Massis inducted > read more
POETS & QUANTS BEST 40 UNDER 40 MBA PROFESSORS – Peter Vogel selected > read more
TWO IMD EXPERTS IN TOP 100 FAMILY BUSINESS INFLUENCERS LIST
Peter Vogel and Alfredo De Massis celebrated > read more
INTERNATIONAL FAMILY ENTERPRISE RESEARCH ACADEMY (IFERA) AWARDS
Best paper and best reviewer award, Ivan Miroshnychenko
EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT (EURAM) AWARDS
Best paper award, Ivan Miroshnychenko
FAMILY FIRM INSTITUTE INTERNATIONAL AWARD (FFI) AWARD
Best unpublished research paper and honorable mention, Alfredo de Massis
2021
FAMILY FIRM INSTITUE INTERNATIONAL AWARD (FFI) – The Center recognized > read more
INTERNATIONAL FAMILY ENTERPRISE RESEARCH ACADEMY (IFERA) AWARDS
Best teaching case study, best paper on gender diversity, best paper on conference theme
MILY AWARD at the Family Enterprise Research Conference (FERC)
Best research ondiversity
AXIOM BUSINESS BOOK AWARD – SILVER MEDAL for the book Family philanthropy navigator: The inspirational guide for philanthropic families on their giving journey
FAMILY FIRM INSTITUE INTERNATIONAL AWARD (FFI)
Family Business Review Excellent, Reviewer Award 2021, Ivan Miroshnychenko
TWO IMD EXPERTS IN TOP 100 FAMILY BUSINESS INFLUENCERS LIST – Peter Vogel and Lise Moller
Family businesses are highly complex. They must continuously align the interests of the family with the ownership and objectives of the business. They typically have a very long-term, values-based approach; each generation wanting to ensure the success of the business for the next.
Complicated and sensitive family, business, ownership and financial issues can often present a tough challenge for family businesses. Family conflicts can flare up over a lack of clarity on the evolving roles of family members or diverging business visions. These issues present risks to both the family and the business. We are committed to focusing on the characteristics and challenges unique to family businesses.
We do so with an incredible pool of faculty experts in their field.
teaching in family business programs
Keep up to date on our events, news and thought leadership – join the Family Business Center on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter.
Would you like to know more about our activities? Get in touch with our team at the IMD Global Family Business Center.
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