Family businesses operate within unique dynamics. They have all the typical financial and economic pressures and considerations of any other organisation, but this is often against the backdrop of an inter-generational workforce, a well-established legacy brand and strong cultural and family values.

Our family business consulting team works with family businesses and their owners and leaders on running their businesses, and shaping and developing solid foundations for continued future success. This includes everything from succession planning and board advisory to setting up governance structures that reflect the current situation and future growth and aspirations of the business.

Our Family business consulting services

Succession planning

Transition – in business and in life – is inevitable. Many family business owners hope to pass their business or accumulated wealth to the next generation of family members.

Advisory board services

With extensive experience, we operate as an external, independent support for your Board needs and requirements.

Family governance and communication

We help family businesses with the facilitation and the development of governance structures as well as processes and tools to achieve better communication.

Kirsten Taylor-Martin
Partner & National Head of Family Business Consulting
Kirsten Taylor-Martin

Insights from Raine & Horne’s Executive Chairman, Angus Raine

Culture, phone calls and “doing the right thing”
Leading Australian real estate franchise group Raine & Horne has more than 250 offices, covering all of Australia’s states and territories, as well as across international locations, such as India and Malaysia. It’s a 100% family-owned real estate franchise group, therefore we sat down with Executive Chairman Angus Raine to hear his insights on the importance of good people – and being adaptable – for a long-term, successful family business.
Raine & Horne was founded in 1883 and is now in its fourth generation of family ownership.
The organisation’s inherent culture and values have played a key role in building the resilience needed to survive and thrive over such a long period – and also during what has been a challenging few years for the sector due to COVID-19. As the Executive Chairman of a 100% family-owned real estate franchise group, Angus Raine knows a thing or two about the importance of attracting and retaining good people in an organisation. This is Angus’s story about how Raine & Horne has navigated the past 18 months from a people and culture viewpoint.
Continue reading

Insights from Complete Office Supplies’ co-CEO, Belinda Lyone

Making room for the uncomfortable questions
Complete Office Supplies is Australia's largest family-owned and operated office products supplier. Recently appointed as co-CEO with her sister Amie, Belinda Lyone of Complete Office Supplies – or COS – spoke to us about their family’s succession journey as her father Dominique recently stepped away from day-to-day involvement. This is Belinda’s story.
For us our journey started when Amie joined Family Business Australia (FBA),
then I also joined, and we started attending FBA events. We didn’t really know or understand that a plan would be required, and that there are so many elements to getting ready for succession. So that FBA exposure is what began the conversation that these things need planning.
Continue reading

Insights from Hammons Holdings’ Governing Director, Philip Hammon

Providing opportunities for the next generations
Hammons Holdings has owned and operated Scenic World, located in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, for more than 73 years. In 2018, the NSW Government appointed Hammons Holdings as the new operator of Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. As third generation Australian family business, it has successfully managed the transition to new leadership twice before, with Philip Hammon handing the reins to son David and daughter Anthea in 2011. This is Philip’s story.
Philip Hammon was the second generation head of the family business Hammons Holdings,
taking over from his entrepreneur father, Harry Hammon, who saw the potential in a disused coal mine railway and converted it into a world-renowned tourist attraction. Philip retired from day-to-day responsibilities in 2011, and son David and daughter Anthea remain in charge today. Philip remains on the Hammons Holdings board of directors, as well as chairing the Hammon Family Council.
Continue reading

Subscribe to receive our publications

Subscribe now to be kept up-to-date with timely and relevant insights, unique to the nature of your business, your areas of interest and the industry in which you operate.