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Family Business

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.

Empowering young generations to dare succession

The HEC Paris Family Business Center, with the support of the OpenLab de For Talents Fonds de dotation, is committed to training, inspiring and supporting talents considering taking up the torch of their family business.

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Encouraging talents to become entrepreneur-refounders

Half of French family businesses and one-third of European ones will change hands in the coming decade. It is essential to encourage family talents to become true entrepreneur-refounders of their SMEs and mid-caps.

Sharing stories and mentoring to inspire action

Authentic testimonials and encounters are a powerful way to set young people in motion. Highlighting them is essential in the pedagogy of succession, to learn to dare. Individual mentoring is also key.

Training talents in succession

We share these testimonials, knowledge and tools on succession with all HEC Family Business students — and beyond, with the world's leading business schools and anyone considering taking over a family business.

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.

Mentoring Program

A structured program for those considering carrying on the family business legacy

A mentoring program 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 program 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

Contact us for more information

Publications for practitioners

In light of Shakespeare's King Lear — Investissement Conseils no. 892, June 2026 — C. Nicolas, A. Bloch, A.-S. Cambay (FR)
As part of a collaboration with students from the HEC Paris Junior Conseil, Lombard Odier has published a survey dedicated to French family businesses and their succession challenges. The study features a...
Impostor syndrome, successor ambivalence, communication breakdowns…
meaneo White Paper — V. Baschet (H.99) and D. Sensey — Foreword by Cécile de Lisle (in French)

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.

Join the Mentoring Program

Share your story