Shareholder Foundations of enterprises: the North European style of securing family businesses for the long term—rising up to the global challenge

Abstract

Abstract This article explores how and why the traditional business succession system within family businesses needs to be reconsidered. Holding Foundations are generally overlooked although they provide a purpose-driven ownership structure with a stewardship governance that avoids family conflicts, taxation and dispersed ownership affecting the family business. In this article, the authors combine their experiences and insights from Denmark and the Netherlands with shareholder foundations of enterprises.