Forbes Middle East Family Business Summit

Many family businesses are now on a journey of digitalization, but most seem to be facing common issues. According to a KPMG survey, among family businesses that see a need to digitalize, 63% said they feel that they lack the expertise and skills needed to develop and implement a digitalization strategy, and 53% do not have any existing plans to instill a culture of innovation. In this panel we ask why do family businesses in particular seem to be facing these challenges? What are the barriers to innovation and what changes can be implemented to business models to enable companies to progress?

H.E. Dr. Sheikha Aisha Bint Faleh Al Thani, Chairperson and Founder, Al Faleh Educational Holding (QPSC)
Ayman Maamoun Tamer, Chairman & Partner, Tamer Holding
Rashid Khalaf Al Habtoor, CEO & President of RKHBC, Al Habtoor Trading Enterprises (HTE) LLC and RKH Investments, a holding company
Navin M. Valrani, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Al Shirawi Group
Moderator: Anurag Bajpai , Partner and LG Private Enterprise and Family Business Leader, KPMG

The pandemic has brought with it significant challenges and unique opportunities. For family businesses in particular,a Deloitte Middle East survey found that 67% of respondents intended to invest in distressed and digital businesses in the next 12-18 months, alongside opportunities that offered greater portfolio diversification. In this panel we explore the ways in which family businesses can sustain their wealth for future generations and maintain attractive investment opportunities. What are the current trends, and how can private wealth be best protected from the various risks?

Omar Kutayba Yusuf Alghanim, Chairman, Family Business Council Gulf
Maha Al Fahim, Board Member, Eshraq Investments
Farah Foustok, Chief Executive Officer, Lazard Gulf Ltd.
Moderator: Walid Chiniara , Partner, Global Family Solutions Deloitte

Family businesses in the Middle East are increasingly exploring ways to disrupt their businesses. According to a joined survey by McKinsey and Company and Family Business Council Gulf, 91% of family businesses are working on digital and disruptive strategies but face significant challenges. In this panel we ask what do leaders of family businesses look for in startups? How can investing in startups support innovation in an established business? And where are the biggest opportunities currently?

Mohamed Mansour, Founder and Chairman, Man Capital
Hassan Jameel, Deputy President and Vice Chairman, Abdul Latif Jameel
Masaood Rahma Al Masaood, Vice Chairman, Al Masaood Group
Makarem S. Batterjee, President & Vice Chairman, Bait Al Batterjee Group
H.E. Dr. Nabeel Koshak, CEO and Board Member, Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC)
Moderator: Ahmed Youssef , Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company

Going public is a move fraught with risk for businesses, and yet according to a report by Ernst & Young there were nine IPOs in MENA in 2020, raising more than $1.8 billion. However, IPOs are not suitable for all family businesses. In this panel we ask what are the significant advantages and disadvantages of going public, and how can leaders of a family business judge when the best time is to raise an IPO?

Talal Ajlan Alajlan, Chief Executive Officer, National Center for Family Business (NCFB)
Ahmad AR. BinDawood, Chief Executive Officer, Danube & BinDawood, BinDawood Holding
Mohamed Fahmi,Co-Head of Investment Banking EFG Hermes, EFG Hermes
Moderator: Peter Englisch , Senior Partner, Shareholder & Global Family Business Leader, PwC Germany