Irish Family Business Report 2019

Our survey of over 100 businesses, conducted in late 2018, reveals that the Irish family business sector is positive about the future. They have long-term goals and success in sight – and the focus is on how to achieve them.

Harnessing values to drive purpose and build enduring legacies

The Irish family business sector is in good shape. The majority of family firms are positive about the future, in spite of the looming spectre of Brexit. They want to attract and keep key talent, and become more innovative.  They recognise the need to embrace technology to keep pace with competitors and be sustainable in the long term.

The time has come for family businesses to view values, purpose and legacy through a new lens. There are compelling reasons to adopt a more proactive and strategic approach. Family businesses need to determine how to get more of a return from a common set of values and vision for their future.

“We believe family businesses – built around strong values and with an aspirational purpose – have a competitive advantage in disruptive times. There is an enormous opportunity for family businesses to start generating real gains from their values and purpose by adopting an active approach that turns these into their most valuable asset.”

John Dillon Entrepreneurial & Private Business Leader, PwC Ireland

Explore the survey themes

80% of family businesses said having a clear set of values and purpose increased revenue and profitability

60% of Irish family businesses had a documented vision and purpose, lagging behind their global counterparts

86% of Irish family businesses plan to expand their operations but only a third have a formal plan to do so

40% of businesses intend to improve their digital capabilities, but two-thirds of global firms plan to do more

More Irish family businesses have succession plans in the last four years, but still have a long way to go

Nearly half of Irish family businesses think promoting diversity is very important in the next two years

A third of Irish family businesses would consider using private equity as a means of funding their growth

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Contact us

John Dillon

Partner, PwC Ireland (Republic of)

Tel: +353 86 810 6415

Ger O'Mahoney

Partner, PwC Ireland (Republic of)

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