Campden Global Owners & Family Office Congress held
The event unites family business leaders to address challenges and opportunities
The second edition of the Campden Global Owners & Family Office Congress, held from October 15 to 17, saw a gathering of over 300 family business principals from more than 30 countries, the organisers announced in a media release. The congress served as a vital platform for sharing knowledge, best practices, and fostering collaboration to address the opportunities and challenges facing family businesses and their communities.
As an increasing number of affluent individuals in North America and Asia consider establishing family offices in the UAE, the event highlighted the region's potential for growth and investment.
The congress featured a lineup of high-profile speakers, including Badr Jafar, Special Envoy for Business & Philanthropy, UAE and CEO of Crescent Enterprises; Adil Al Zarooni, Chairman & CEO of Al Zarooni Emirates Investments; Mathew Garver, Principal of Liberty Street Capital; Jack Hidary, CEO of SandboxAQ; and Mishal Kanoo, Chairman of The Kanoo Group.
The opening keynote, delivered by Badr Jafar, was titled “Family Businesses & Geo-Economics: The Imperative for Multistakeholder Governance.” His remarks highlighted the significant influence family-owned enterprises have in today’s global economy. Recognized as major contributors to growth, innovation, and employment, family businesses play a crucial role in addressing pressing geo-economic and socio-economic challenges.
“Family-owned businesses in the UAE contribute over 60% of the GDP and employ more than 80% of the workforce. Globally, the family office sector is expanding rapidly, with projections estimating global family office wealth will reach $9.5 trillion by 2030,” Jafar stated.
In his role as Special Envoy for Business & Philanthropy, Jafar emphasized the UAE's commitment to multistakeholder collaboration as a strategy for tackling global challenges. He noted, “Fostering collaboration across business, government, and philanthropy enables diverse actors to contribute their unique strengths and resources, generating a multiplier effect that accelerates progress.”
Jafar also underscored the importance of the long-term perspective that family businesses bring to addressing complex global issues. “The most significant global challenges cannot be solved with short-term fixes. Family businesses, with their generational focus and commitment to sustainable growth, are uniquely equipped to forge long-term solutions,” he remarked.
The congress addressed major challenges facing global business owners in the 21st century, emphasizing the need for family businesses to adopt sustainable practices and embrace digital transformation. Leaders also explored strategies for ensuring smooth intergenerational wealth transfers and leadership transitions while maintaining resilience and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving landscape.
The Campden Global Owners & Family Office Congress provided a week-long experiential platform, featuring discussions, workshops, and family showcases designed to introduce new opportunities and facilitate knowledge sharing among family business owners worldwide.