Family Governance Review

Who this is for

The Family Governance Review suits second- or third-generation family firms where ownership and daily management overlap. Typical clients employ 15–200 people and have at least two family members involved in leadership or the board. You may be preparing for a generational handover, resolving recurring disputes about spending or strategy, or simply recognising that informal arrangements no longer fit the company’s size.

What you receive

Over approximately three weeks, we conduct confidential interviews with family owners, board members, and selected senior managers. We review existing shareholder agreements, board minutes, and any informal policy documents. The deliverable is a written governance report covering:

• Current decision-making map (formal and informal)
• Identified gaps and risks
• Recommended governance structures (voting, committees, delegation)
• Draft terms for a family constitution or shareholders’ agreement update
• Implementation timeline with suggested milestones

What is included

• Up to 12 stakeholder interviews (60 minutes each)
• Two on-site observation days (meetings, operations walk-through)
• Document review of existing governance materials
• Final report (typically 25–40 pages) presented in a family meeting
• One follow-up call within 30 days of delivery

What is excluded

• Legal drafting of binding agreements (we coordinate with your counsel)
• Tax or accounting advice
• Ongoing board secretariat or meeting facilitation beyond the presentation session
• Mediation of active legal disputes

Process

1. Initial call — 45 minutes to confirm fit and scope
2. Engagement letter — Fee, timeline, and confidentiality terms agreed
3. Interviews — Weeks 1–2, scheduled around your operations
4. Draft review — Key stakeholders preview findings before final report
5. Presentation — Report delivered and discussed with the family group
6. Follow-up — One check-in call to address implementation questions

Preparation

Gather any existing shareholder agreements, board charters, and organisation charts. Identify which family members and managers should be interviewed. Allow a half-day for the final presentation meeting.

Next step

Request a conversation through our contact page. We will confirm whether a Governance Review is the right starting point or whether another consultation format fits better.