Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, attended the graduation ceremony of the third cohort of the Dubai Family Business Management Programme.
Organised by the Dubai Centre for Family Businesses, which operates under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development (MBRCLD), the third cohort comprised 27 second-tier leaders from family businesses.
The graduation took place during the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum, the premier annual gathering dedicated to management and leadership, organised by the MBRCLD. The Forum brought together 1,000 prominent government and private sector leaders to explore the future of management and leadership, promote best practices in both fields, and advance the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to strengthen Dubai’s global standing as a centre of excellence and innovation.
The Dubai Family Business Management Programme aims to develop the skills of second-tier leaders in family businesses in Dubai, supporting business continuity and succession planning for both ownership and management. It seeks to strengthen leadership capabilities and enhance governance practices across family enterprises.
The programme also aims to prepare a new generation of family business leaders, raise awareness of local and international best practices, build local and global networks with business leaders and international institutions, and promote a culture of social responsibility within family businesses.
Accelerating economic growth
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “Family businesses are a driving force of Dubai’s economy and a key contributor to its prosperity, reflecting the success of the emirate’s development model and its prominent position on the global economic stage.”
His Highness added: “Dubai remains committed to supporting family businesses and equipping the next generation of leaders with advanced management skills and knowledge aligned with the highest international standards. We are proud of the vital role these businesses have played in driving our national economy and their significant contributions to enhancing Dubai’s competitiveness and strengthening its position as a preferred global destination to live and work.”
Family businesses play a pivotal role in Dubai’s economic development, accounting for approximately 90% of all private companies in the UAE. Their investments span a wide range of sectors, contributing around 40% of the UAE’s gross domestic product and employing more than 70% of the workforce.
Intensive training programme
The programme aimed to familiarise participants in its third cohort with Dubai’s economic priorities and strategic direction, particularly the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
The third cohort completed a comprehensive training programme that included virtual learning and individual mentoring sessions designed to equip participants with the skills required to manage leadership transitions across generations within family businesses. The programme focused on strengthening leadership capabilities, supporting smooth succession processes and enhancing governance practices in line with the strategic objectives of the Dubai Centre for Family Businesses.
Participants also undertook an educational programme at SDA Bocconi School of Management, one of the world’s leading institutions specialising in business administration, economics and law. The experience included visits to several major Italian family businesses, providing insights into international best practices and opportunities to engage directly with business leaders and learn about strategies for long-term success and sustainability.
The visits included Lavazza, founded in 1895 and one of the world’s largest coffee producers; Mapei, a global leader in building materials founded in Milan in 1937; and Brembo, the braking systems specialist founded in 1961 that works with leading automotive manufacturers and Formula One teams worldwide.
Participants also visited the headquarters of Assolombarda, which represents more than 7,000 companies in the Milan area and the provinces of Lodi and Monza and Brianza, and met with young representatives from family businesses.
The programme additionally featured dialogue sessions with members of the Garrone family, owners of ERG Group, alongside discussions exploring the role of younger generations in leading family businesses.
Family business governance
The programme covered a range of strategic topics, including family business governance, wealth management and family offices, next-generation leadership development, ownership succession planning, intergenerational transition strategies, sustainability, responsible investment, conflict resolution and entrepreneurship in family businesses.
The Dubai Family Business Management Programme enables participants to strengthen their leadership skills through the practical application of concepts and frameworks introduced during the programme. Participants also benefit from individual coaching and mentoring sessions that support their personal and professional development.
The programme seeks to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors by drawing on successful experiences, involving participants in pioneering economic projects within the framework of public-private partnerships, and establishing direct channels of communication with Dubai Government leaders, thereby contributing to the emirate’s economic development.