European Family Business Summit
Unleashing the Power of Family Businesses for A Stronger Europe

We are pleased to invite you to the 11th European Family Business Summit: Unleashing the Power of Family Businesses for A Stronger Europe, which will take place in Lisbon on 13–14 October 2025.
 
This year’s summit will bring together family business leaders from across Europe to explore the values, leadership, and long-term vision that define our sector. The programme includes panel discussions, keynote sessions, and networking opportunities that reflect the diversity and strength of Europe’s Family Businesses.
 
The summit will begin on Monday, 13 October with an optional guided tour of Lisbon, followed by a Gala Dinner at one of the city’s most emblematic venues. The Associação das Empresas Familiares will kindly host the evening, offering participants a warm welcome and the opportunity to connect in an elegant and relaxed
setting.
 
On Tuesday, 14 October, the full-day conference will feature high-level discussions on the future of family businesses in Europe, including topics such as scaling up for competitiveness, global presence, succession planning, the impact of women in leadership, and new perspectives on wealth and legacy.
 
We encourage all members to attend and contribute to this important gathering. Your presence will help strengthen the voice of family businesses in Europe and support the continued exchange of knowledge and experience.

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PROGRAMME

Monday | 13th October
15:00 | Guided tour through Lisbon (optional)

Tuk-Tuk tour through Lisbon with stops at some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including a taste of Pastel de Nata and a glass of Port wine.

Gala Dinner, hosted by Associação das Empresas Familiares 

Location: SUD Lisbon Hall (Pavilhão Poente, Av. Brasília, 1300-598 Lisbon)

19:30 | Welcome Drinks

20:00 | Dinner

Guest of Honour:

Günther H. Oettinger, former Vice-President of the European Commission

Dress code: cocktail attire (dark suit and tie)

Tuesday | 14th October
Conference Centre of the Centro Cultural de Belém- Room Almada Negreiros (Praça do Império, 1449-003 Lisbon)

President of the Conference: Peter Villax, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Associação das Empresas Familiares (AEF), CEO of Mediceus, Member of the Family Council of Hovione.

09:00 | Registration

09:30 | Official Opening

Speeches by:

– Jan Kornelis van Oord, President of European Family Businesses

– José Germano de Sousa, President of Associação das Empresas Familiares

10:00 |  Rooted in Europe, Stepping into the World

This panel will discuss the geopolitical situation with regards to trade, the US tariffs and the impact on Family Businesses in Europe.

– Alessia Mosca, Chair of the Scientific Committee at AIDAF and Professor at Sciences Po

– Edoardo Boroli, Partner & Investment Manager at MEGA Holding, 4th Generation of De Agostini Group

Moderated by Jesús Casado, Secretary General of European Family Businesses

10:45 |  Competitiveness: Has Europe gained momentum?

This panel will evaluate the state of play of the competitiveness and simplification agenda while assessing the new approach to businesses by the European Commission and European Parliament one year into their mandate.

– Pilar del Castillo Vera, Member of the European Parliament, EPP*

– Gabriela Tschirkova, Member of Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis’ Cabinet*

– Delphine Hanton, CEO of Thuasne Group

Moderated by Daniel Mitrenga, Head of European Affairs of Die Familienunternehmer

11:30 | Coffee Break

12:00 | The Swedish Inheritance Tax Model: A Good Practice

This panel will analyse how Sweden revitalised business transfers by removing inheritance taxation in 2004. It will assess the best practises and the result of the removal of inheritance tax to the public purse and social equality.

– Daniel Waldenström, Professor of Economics, Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN Stockholm)

– Peje Emilsson, Founder and Owner of Kreab Worldwide

Moderated by Erik Stern, Deputy Director of FBN Sweden

13:00 | Lunch

14:30 | How Does the Next Generation of Family Businesses Boost the EU Economy? 

This panel will look at intrapreneurship, wealth, and the role of Next Gen business owners in implementing the sustainability and digital agenda. It will also analyse the contribution of family businesses to the European economy.

– Sílvia Mota, CEO of MEXT: Mota-Engil Next
– Nicholas H. Vetter, CEO of OncoBeta
– Margherita Marchi, Head of New Business and Member of the Board of Finint Investments

Moderated by Darius Movaghar, Sr Policy Advisor of European Family Businesses 

15:30 | Richer and More Equal – A New History of Wealth in the West. 

By Dr Daniel Waldenström, Professor of Economics, Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN Stockholm)

In his talk, Dr. Waldenström will present a comprehensive reassessment of wealth distribution in Western societies over the past century — a topic he explores in his recent book. Drawing on new evidence, he argues that Western societies are becoming more equal, not less, contrary to the prevailing narrative. His talk also examines the evolution and role of inherited wealth in modern society, and how capital should be taxed within growth-promoting tax systems.

Moderated by José Germano de Sousa, President of Associação das Empresas Familiares

16:00 | Coffee Break

16:30 | A conversation with the de Mello Family, winner of the IMD Global Family Business Award 2024

We will welcome three members of the de Mello family, a leading family group in Portugal, who will be sharing their insights into their family and company history. They will also identify the key factors that contributed to their success and led to their IMD Global Family Business Award in 2024.

– Pedro de Mello, Chairman of the Shareholders’ Board of José de Mello
– Catarina Costa Duarte, Member of the Shareholders’ Board of José de Mello
– Maria João de Mello, Chair of the Family Development Council of José de Mello

Moderated by Lídia Tarré, Vice-President of Associação das Empresas Familiares and Board member of Gelpeixe

17:15 | Concluding Remarks

– Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic*

* To be Confirmed

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The Summit Prices are:
EFB MEMBERS
890€

EFB NON-MEMBERS
1.240€

These prices do not include VAT.

* To uphold the exclusivity of the European Family Business Summit, the events are only for family business owners, their direct relatives and members of the Corporate Governance. Registrations from non-family businesses will be declined.
The organization beholds all rights to avert any registration at all time.

** Attending the Dinner is only possible if at least one of the members of the family business has registered for the Summit.
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Who Can Participate: Participation is for members of Family Businesses. If you have any questions, please contact us at: marina.malhao-pereira@empresasfamiliares.pt; paula.ximenes@empresasfamiliares.pt