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Leadership & Management

Leadership in Family Businesses

Family businesses combine the strengths of long-term vision and shared values with unique challenges around governance, succession and the overlap between family and business. This course helps family and non-family leaders strengthen governance, professionalise management, manage relationships between family members and the business, and plan succession across generations.

5 days Classroom or live online English
Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants
Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF
Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Family dynamics can be a source of strength or conflict. This course gives you practical structures and leadership approaches to protect both the business and family relationships over time.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

  • Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
  • Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
  • Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.
Course methodology

How you will learn.

The course uses family business case studies, governance design workshops, facilitated discussions, role plays and succession planning exercises.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the dynamics of family-owned businesses
  • Design family and corporate governance structures
  • Professionalise management and integrate non-family executives
  • Manage conflict between family and business interests
  • Plan leadership and ownership succession
  • Develop the next generation of family leaders
Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

  • Family business owners and successors
  • Non-family executives in family firms
  • Family office professionals
  • Board members of family companies
  • Advisers to family businesses
Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

  • Family governance
  • Corporate governance
  • Succession planning
  • Conflict management
  • Professionalisation
  • Next-generation development
Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Family Business Dynamics

  1. 09:00–09:54Family, ownership and business systems
  2. 09:54–10:48Strengths and risks of family firms
  3. 10:48–11:00Generational stages
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Generational stages (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Values and legacy
  7. 13:06–14:00Exercise: Mapping your family business system

Day 2Governance Structures

  1. 09:00–09:54Boards and independent directors
  2. 09:54–10:48Family councils and constitutions
  3. 10:48–11:00Shareholder agreements
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Shareholder agreements (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Decision rights
  7. 13:06–14:00Workshop: Governance design

Day 3Professional Management

  1. 09:00–09:54Roles of family and non-family managers
  2. 09:54–10:48Employment policies for family members
  3. 10:48–11:00Performance and accountability
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Performance and accountability (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Attracting professional talent
  7. 13:06–14:00Case study: Professionalising a family company

Day 4Family Relationships and Conflict

  1. 09:00–09:54Sources of conflict
  2. 09:54–10:48Communication between generations
  3. 10:48–11:00Fairness and equality
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Fairness and equality (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Conflict resolution mechanisms
  7. 13:06–14:00Role play: A family business dispute

Day 5Succession and Continuity

  1. 09:00–09:54Leadership succession planning
  2. 09:54–10:48Ownership transfer
  3. 10:48–11:00Preparing the next generation
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Preparing the next generation (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Transition governance
  7. 13:06–14:00Capstone: Family business continuity plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Singapore 9 Nov - 13 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 9 Nov - 13 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 23 Nov - 27 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 23 Nov - 27 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 7 Dec - 11 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 7 Dec - 11 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 14 Dec - 18 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 14 Dec - 18 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 11 Jan - 15 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 11 Jan - 15 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Paris 25 Jan - 29 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 25 Jan - 29 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Barcelona 1 Feb - 5 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,840.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 1 Feb - 5 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Istanbul 8 Feb - 12 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Feb - 12 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 22 Feb - 26 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Feb - 26 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Singapore 8 Mar - 12 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Mar - 12 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 22 Mar - 26 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Mar - 26 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Rome 29 Mar - 2 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 29 Mar - 2 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 12 Apr - 16 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 12 Apr - 16 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 26 Apr - 30 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 26 Apr - 30 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 10 May - 14 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 10 May - 14 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Paris 24 May - 28 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 24 May - 28 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Cape Town 31 May - 4 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 31 May - 4 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Istanbul 14 Jun - 18 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 14 Jun - 18 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 21 Jun - 25 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 21 Jun - 25 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Singapore 12 Jul - 16 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 12 Jul - 16 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 26 Jul - 30 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 26 Jul - 30 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Cape Town 2 Aug - 6 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 2 Aug - 6 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 9 Aug - 13 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 9 Aug - 13 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 23 Aug - 27 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 23 Aug - 27 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 13 Sept - 17 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 13 Sept - 17 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Paris 20 Sept - 24 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 20 Sept - 24 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Vienna 27 Sept - 1 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,940.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 27 Sept - 1 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Istanbul 11 Oct - 15 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 11 Oct - 15 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 25 Oct - 29 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 25 Oct - 29 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Singapore 8 Nov - 12 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Nov - 12 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 22 Nov - 26 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Nov - 26 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Rome 29 Nov - 3 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 29 Nov - 3 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 6 Dec - 10 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 6 Dec - 10 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 13 Dec - 17 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 13 Dec - 17 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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