• Fourth edition of FBCG’s Summit to bring together leading GCC family business representatives from 18-19 April in Dubai

  • Talks to engage key family businesses from Dubai and the GCC including Al-Ghurair and Al-Futtaim, in an exclusive networking and meaningful exchange on strengthening family businesses through education and innovation

Dubai, United Arab Emirates : Family Business Council-Gulf (FBCG), the leading membership organisation for GCC family businesses, has announced that its Annual Summit will be held this year from 18-19 April 2018 in Dubai, UAE, under the theme ‘Educate for Family Business Success.’

Taking place for the fourth consecutive year, the Summit is known for bringing together leaders of top GCC family businesses from Dubai and the GCC. Families returning to the Summit include prominent names such as Al-Ghurair Group and Al-Futtaim Group from the UAE, Al-Muhaidib Group and Abdul Latif Jameel Company Ltd. from Saudi Arabia, Alghanim Industries and Agility from Kuwait, Al-Zayani Investments from Bahrain, and Suhail Bahwan Group Holding from Oman. Private and exclusive to family business members, the event’s format is designed to encourage open and effective discussions among the participating members.

Commenting on the announcement of this year’s Summit, H.E. Abdulaziz Al-Ghurair, Chairman of FBCG, said, “The upcoming event is unique for bringing speakers from successful family businesses from around the GCC and internationally. Over the years, we have enjoyed meeting and learning from many family businesses on effective formats and methods to sustain the family business. By focusing our discussion on real family business cases and with speakers representing some of the region’s most successful family businesses, the Summit offers valuable insights on addressing challenges of multi-generational family businesses.”

In line with the Summit’s theme ‘Educate for Family Business Success,’ the event will additionally host speakers from one of the longest-standing family enterprises, Laird Norton Company, a seventh-generation family-owned diversified holding, to share their wisdom in developing activities to engage and sustain commitment from their 400 family-member shareholders. The family will present their exceptional education program designed for family members from all age groups, starting from 10-year-old kids to post-university graduates. Moreover, the family enterprise’s CEO, Jeffery Vincent, will share Laird Norton Company’s innovative communication methods to enrich the discussions at the Summit.

The event’s speaker line-up also includes multiple family speakers from the GCC, including Hind Bahwan, CEO of Bahwan CyberTek from Oman, a second-generation family member who has established and grown her own multinational technology company, a leader in software solutions. Hind Bahwan along with Professor Burgelman – from Stanford Graduate School of Business – will take part in a discussion on sustaining innovation in a family business. While Hind will provide her inputs on women entrepreneurship in family business, Professor Burgelman will discuss best formats that can be implemented to foster entrepreneurship and innovation amongst the next generation – two key enablers for sustained growth.

The Summit will also host focussed sessions on unique GCC family business challenges such as excellence in family business board of directors, communication and conflict resolution in family businesses, and effective shareholder engagement, which will be facilitated by world-class experts and fuel meaningful exchanges between attendees.

FBCG continues to address key topics related to the continuity of GCC family businesses through various networking and education activities, including the Annual Legal Roundtable, the Annual Forum, which is held in April of each year, educational workshops, and other exclusive knowledge-sharing events. Moreover, FBCG works with leaders, decision makers, and key stakeholders to identify sustainability challenges faced by GCC family businesses and promote effective solutions.

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About Family Business Council-Gulf (FBCG):

FBCG is a private, non-profit membership organization that aims to strengthen family business governance and ensure their continuity over generations, while learning from and where applicable adopting international best practices. Through research, education, and networking among peers, we seek to identify and address issues which are unique to this region.

The Council is governed by a board of directors, representing eleven leading GCC family businesses, which steers and builds the organization. FBCG’s board shares a common view that the continuity and prosperity of family businesses is vital not only for their families’ legacy but also for the economic sustainability of the region.

FBCG is also a member of a worldwide organization, the Family Business Network International (FBN) which is the largest global network ‘by families, for families’ representing leading family businesses all over the world.

For further information on the council, log on to www.fbc-gulf.org. 

© Press Release 2018