Transmission in Practice Transmission in Practice
Passing on a legacy : who will take it further ?
Succession is a human journey, and its success or failure has far-reaching consequences for economic resilience and prosperity.
Resources
Access a library of knowledge, tools and testimonials developed by HEC Paris and the For Talents Endowment Fund OpenLab, designed to support family talents at every stage of their journey.
Testimonials
Discover stories of succession from France, Europe and beyond, shining a light on family SMEs and mid-sized companies in particular.
Each capsule gives voice to a lived experience. Together, they reflect the many paths of succession.
Do you lead a family business? Share your story
The first "Récit" episodes will be available soon.
Case Studies
Explore our case studies published in The Case Center and Harvard Business Publishing and taught at the world’s top business schools.
Family Businesses and Leadership in France — "A Family Business Succession Story: Mathieu Lustrerie" — Associate Professor Valérie Gauthier & Dr Cécile De Lisle
Family Business Industrial Governance and Succession Simulation — "Poclain: Reinforcing Family Control for the Future" — Affiliated Professor Philippe Pelé-Clamour.
Tools
Use the tools developed by HEC Paris and the For Talents Endowment Fund OpenLab to raise awareness and foster dialogue on succession. To be used without moderation.
A tool designed to facilitate dialogue within families and businesses, placing human relationships at the heart of the conversation and identifying concrete levers for successful succession.
Mentoring Program
A structured programme for those considering carrying on the family business legacy
A mentoring/reverse mentoring programme for HEC Paris students and alumni from family business backgrounds who have experienced or will face the challenges and opportunities of succession. Six months of trust to help each other navigate the dynamics and emotions of succession — and find their rightful place in this journey.
What the programme offers:
- A perspective and benchmarks for navigating family business dynamics
- Hands-on experience shared by an engaged HEC alumnus Referent committed to succession
- Personal reflection on one's current and future role in the family business
Publications for Practitioners
Publications designed to shed light on succession practices, for leaders and members of family businesses.
In partnership with students from the HEC Paris Junior Conseil, Lombard Odier has published a survey on French family businesses and their succession challenges. The study gives voice to 85 family business members from a wide range of regions and sectors, exploring key themes such as governance, succession and the role of the next generation. It is prefaced by Cécile de Lisle, Executive Director of the HEC Paris – Dieter Schwarz Center for Family Business. Published in February 2026 (available in French and English).
Impostor syndrome, successor ambivalence, communication breakdowns… Caroline Nicolas, Alain Bloch and Anne-Sophie Cambay, affiliated with our Family Business Center, identify the psychological mechanisms that, when overlooked, can derail even the most technically well-prepared successions. Published in Investissement Conseils n°889 — March 2026 (article in French).
Publié par Valérie Baschet (H99) et Didier Sensey, co-fondateurs de meaneo, ce Livre Blanc explore la transmission d'entreprise familiale comme acte de gouvernance à part entière. Il introduit le Carnet de Transmission Durable, un cadre concret pour accompagner dirigeants et repreneurs dans toutes les dimensions du passage de relais. Préfacé par Cécile de Lisle, Directrice Exécutive du Family Business Center d'HEC Paris.
Are you a student, an alumnus or alumna, or the head of a family business?
Join the Transmission in Practice program—as a mentor, a story witness, or a participant in the mentoring program.