Read About Family Governance

At Harbour Family Governance, we regularly publish articles on the many nuances of family governance. Read more on this page or sign up to our newsletter. Do not hesitate to let us know, if you have ideas for subjects, which we should write about.

In 2023, Anne-Sofie van den Born Rehfeld and Søren Brandi, Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Harbour Family Governance, published the book Generational Ownership: Family, Fortune and Family Office. The book provides insights and specific advice to families, family offices and advisers interested in family ownership and development of family offices. Generational Ownership: Family, Fortune and Family Office can be found here.

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Part 2: The Three Phases of a Strategic Succession

Once you have made the decision to begin thinking about your succession, the real process begins. A successful transition is not only about what will happen, but about how the family approaches the task. It is the ongoing conversations, the careful planning and the step-by-step handover that gradually shape the future ownership.
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Part 1: Strategic Succession in Family Ownerships Starts Early

Succession in a family ownership goes beyond transferring shares or appointing a new CEO. It is one of the most pivotal moments in family ownership – for the family, for the business, and for the communities that rely on it.
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Drop Retirement and Become a Next Stage Gen

The development of the next generation is a key focus area within family governance, family offices, banks, and among advisers. However, interest in the development of the current/experienced/older generation often ends once succession has taken place—or when the final full stop is written into the will.
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Part 2: The Ownership Strategy Provides Direction, Harmony and Resilience

In Part 1 of this article series, we described how an ownership strategy supports effective ownership, and which topics should be included in a well-crafted ownership strategy. However, while the strategy document itself is important, much of the real value lies in the process that leads to it.
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Part 1: The Ownership Strategy Provides Direction, Harmony and Resilience

For the past 15+ years working with ownership strategy, we’ve heard many variations of these statements from families, founders, and family offices. There are undoubtedly numerous benefits for both the ownership group and the individuals involved when time is invested in developing an ownership strategy. The more mature, diversified, and complex the ownership structure is, or is set to become, the greater the need for a shared strategic foundation and clear agreements.
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After The Exit: A New Life With Wealth

Selling your life’s work can be one of the biggest roller coaster rides in life. On the one hand, you have secured the family’s long-term wealth and at the same time ensured that the company stands strong in a changing world. On the other hand, you may experience a loss of both control and meaningfulness in your working life. Now, you are entering a completely new chapter and a new life as the owner of wealth. We take a closer look at that in this article.