A seminar entitled “Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Family Businesses” was held on November 23, 2025 (2 Azar 1404), through the collaboration of the Fazli Center for Business Leaders Development, the Association for the Promotion of Family Businesses, and the Industrial Management Scientific Association at the College of Management, University of Tehran.The event was attended by several members of the Board of Directors of the Association for the Promotion of Family Businesses, the Director of the Fazli Center for Business Leaders Development, a number of business owners, and students of management.
The primary objective of the seminar was to highlight the alignment between certain programs of the Fazli Center for Business Leaders Development and the mission of the Association for the Promotion of Family Businesses. Participants emphasized that the sustainability and growth of family businesses depend on the active support of professionals, legal experts, policymakers, coaches, and mentors. By standing alongside business families and promoting sound governance and scientific management practices, these stakeholders can play a vital role in guiding the engine of Iran’s economic development.
During the seminar, Mr. Saeed Jabransari, Chairman of the Board of the Association for the Promotion of Family Businesses, stated that family businesses account for approximately 70% of global GDP, 80% of employment, and more than 85% of sustainable innovation worldwide. He emphasized that family businesses constitute one of the principal pillars of the global economy.
Continuing his remarks, he identified a long-term perspective and patient capital as the primary factors underlying the resilience and sustainability of family businesses. He further stressed that the adoption of scientific management practices is essential for ensuring the longevity and continued success of such enterprises. Mr. Jabransari also pointed to the lack of specialized educational and research institutions dedicated to family businesses in Iran, describing it as one of the country’s major shortcomings in the field of family business management.
According to his valuable insights, the younger generation in entrepreneurial families should not merely act as shareholders; rather, they should become responsible shareholders who possess a thorough understanding of business strategy and governance structures and who actively support professional managers. He emphasized that as entrepreneurial families grow larger and more complex, their governance systems must evolve and mature accordingly.
Ms. Mahboubeh Akbari, Member of the Board of Directors of the Association for the Promotion of Family Businesses, highlighted cohesion, empathy, and deeply rooted solidarity among family members as the defining characteristics of family businesses. She noted that shared values and beliefs facilitate collaboration and contribute to both the speed and quality of decision-making processes.
She further stated that the effective utilization of internal resources, a deep mutual understanding among family members, and their long-term commitment to preserving and strengthening the business brand are among the advantages that are less frequently observed in many non-family organizations. In addition, she emphasized the remarkable resilience of family businesses during times of crisis, noting that many of them demonstrate greater endurance and stability in the face of economic challenges.
At the conclusion of the seminar, students and other participants had the opportunity to raise their questions with Mr. Jabransari and Ms. Akbari and benefited from their valuable insights and guidance.
