Succession woes are one of the most significant challenges within enterprising families and few feel as prepared as they could be to engage the next generation – but private equity may hold a unique solution.
In Deloitte’s 2019 Global Family Business survey, which interviewed 791 executives from 58 countries, those surveyed revealed that retaining family ownership is one of the key elements of their long-term goals, yet only 41 per cent reported feeling confident in their plans for succession.
Considering private equity investment during succession planning could help to establish a more successful transition to the next generation by involving them in projects that speak to them, according to experts.
“A lot of times thinking through the private capital piece can be a way to engage those second, and third generations as you’re wanting to get them excited about the family business,” says Carol Schleif, deputy chief investment officer with BMO Family Office.
“For example, if you have a family who has generated a lot of their wealth through metals and mining and things like that, and they want to do a counterbalance for it, sometimes taking some of the funds from that and investing in [things like] remediation … can help satisfy younger generations.”
How to get next generations interested in the business
Schleif reiterates the need for the older generation to use private equity investment to find that connector between the generations, which can be beneficial to the family business in a number of different ways, including remaining current and relevant in a fast-changing market.
“For example, if you say, ‘Let’s carve out this part of the family business, and you second and third generation go research some of these interesting technologies over here, and help us understand blockchain, help us understand artificial intelligence,’” she says, “that can be a way to engage in that discussion.” And next generations can see family capital being used to “do some really interesting things.”
Private equity as a succession conversation starter
Succession conversations are a two-way dialogue, according to Sabrina Fitzgerald, national private client leader at PwC Canada, and “private equity can be an excellent way to explore new areas and opportunities within a safe environment.”
Indeed, these conversations should be happening early and often, according to Schleif, and it’s often much easier to start off talking with the next generation about areas of general interest rather than specific financial tools.
“As opposed to just discussing, here’s a stock, here’s a bond, here’s asset allocation, here’s how a manager performed,” says Schleif, “It can be a lot more fulfilling way to engage them on topics and subjects, like ‘Hey, next generation, can you teach me what I need to know about what’s going to be important about these trends going on right now?’”
Environment Social Governance (ESG) key for millennials and Gen Z
A common driver for Millennials and Gen Z is their impact on the world, especially when it comes to consumption.
Indeed, “investors are not homogenous in their viewpoints and demonstrate significant divergence based on age and wealth, with the most vulnerable investors – those who are older and those with low levels of savings – largely opposed to ESG and unwilling to risk their assets to advance these objectives, in contrast to younger, wealthy investors who are much more supportive and willing to forfeit returns,” according to the report, which polled 2,470 investors with savings ranging from less than $10,000 to more than $500,000.
“ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) is a hot topic and an area of high interest from the next generation,” says Fitzgerald. “We are seeing the desire to be more socially and environmentally engaged and where the rising generation has a meaningful place at the table.”
According to PwC’s Family Business Survey 2023, (Canadian insights here) family businesses with a communicated ESG strategy are more trusted by customers (62 per cent versus 49 per cent) than those that do not, yet 67 per cent of family businesses put little or no focus on ESG.
The next generation can help with this aspect and it might not be as difficult as one might think.
“While many aspects of the ESG journey, such as rapidly and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, are a major undertaking for Canadian family businesses, it’s also true that they have many existing advantages that they can build on,” says Fitzgerald.
This can extend to ESG-focused deals.
“Private equity may be an excellent learning opportunity for family members who are considering transforming the family business or have an entrepreneurial mindset, with the support of the family office or business resources,” explains Fitzgerald.
Engaging next gens in deal sourcing and private investment
When it comes to private equity, BlackRock’s 2022-2023 Global Family Office Report indicates that 43 per cent of family offices “perform deal sourcing entirely in-house,” but this type of work is complex so it is a good idea to start instructing the next generation about what makes a good investment, and about the regulatory and legal inner workings.
https://www.blackrock.com/institutions/en-zz/literature/investor-guide/global-family-office-report.pdf
“Engaging the next generation is an excellent way to get their feet wet with respect to due diligence, financial literacy and communication, particularly if undertaken under the means of an investment committee,” adds Fitzgerald.
More from Canadian Family Offices
- ‘Please fix my kid’: Parents regret being too easy on their children
- Private investment in portfolios: opportunities and challenges
- Seven successful people and how they invested in themselves
- Survey says: When should family office say ‘sayonara’ to a client?
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