11th European Family Business Summit
Lisbon, 13th and 14th October 2025
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.
We look forward to seeing you in Lisbon!
Jan Kornelis van Oord
President of
European Family Businesses
Jesús Casado
Secretary General of
European Family Businesses
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 Association of Portuguese Family Businesses
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)
Attribution of Excellence award to the “Family Business of the Year” given by Association of Portuguese Family Businesses
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 Association of Portuguese Family Businesses , CEO of Mediceus, Member of the Family Council of Hovione.
09:15 | Registration
09:45 | Official Opening
Speeches by:
– Jan Kornelis van Oord, President of European Family Businesses
– José Germano de Sousa, President of Association of Portuguese Family Businesses
– Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, Portuguese Minister of State and Finance
10:30 | 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
– António Casanova, Executive Vice President – General Manager Portugal | CEO Unilever FIMA
– Delphine Hanton, CEO of Thuasne Group
– Edoardo Boroli, Partner & Investment Manager at MEGA Holding, 4th Generation of De Agostini Group
Moderated by Jesús Casado, Secretary General of European Family Businesses
11:30 | Coffee Break
12:00 | Inheritance Tax Situation: expect the unexpected.
The aim of this panel is to analyse how Sweden revitalized business transfers by removing inheritance taxation in 2004 and contrasting it with the most recent changes to the UK’s inheritance taxation system. We will analyse the lessons learned and assess the best practices and the impacts on a social and economic level.
– Daniel Waldenström, Professor of Economics, Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN Stockholm)
– Neil Davy, Chief Executive Officer, Family Business UK
– Peje Emilsson, Founder and Owner of Kreab Worldwide
Moderated by Erik Stern, Deputy Director of FBN Sweden
13:00 | Lunch
14:15 | 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 Maria Villax, Consulting Expert in Family Governance & Ownership
15:15 | 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 Peter Villax, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Association of Portuguese Family Businesses
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 of Association of Portuguese Family Businesses and Gelpeixe
17:15 | Concluding Remarks
13th October – Gala Dinner
SUD Lisbon Hall
Pavilhão Poente, Av. Brasília,
1300-598 Lisbon
14th October – Conferences
Centro Cultural de Belém
Praça do Império,
1449-003 Lisbon
EFB MEMBERS
€890
EFB NON-MEMBERS
€1240
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.
Upon completion of your registration, you will receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of your application. After verifying your affiliation with one of the 17 EFB member organizations, a second email will be sent containing the invoice and detailed payment instructions. Please note that your place will only be secured once payment has been received within 15 days of the invoice date.
All registrations will be checked to uphold the exclusivity of the event.
Cancellations must be received by email until September 15, 2025. Cancellations received before September 15, 2025, will be subject to a 120€ administration fee.
No refunds can be made for cancellations received after this date.
Upon completion of your registration, you will receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of your application. After verifying your affiliation with one of the 17 EFB member organizations, a second email will be sent containing the invoice and detailed payment instructions. Please note that your place will only be secured once payment has been received within 15 days of the invoice date.
All registrations will be checked to uphold the exclusivity of the event.
Neil Davy
Chief Executive Officer, Family Business
UK
Please note that each participant is responsible for making their own hotel reservation directly.
We have negotiated special discount rates with several hotels, all located within a short distance from the conference venues and the gala dinner location. These discounts will be applied to the current prices available on each hotel’s website at the time of booking.
Altis Belém Hotel & Spa – Member of Associação Das Empresas Familiares
☆☆☆☆☆ Hotel
(20% Discount off | Discount Code: EFB25)
Doca do Bom Sucesso, 1400-038 Lisboa | +351 21 040 0200
Hotel Jerónimos 8 – Member of Associação Das Empresas Familiares
☆☆☆☆☆ Hotel
(10% Discount off | Discount Code: EFB25)
R. dos Jerónimos 8, 1400-211 Lisboa | +351 21 360 0900
Palácio do Governador
☆☆☆☆☆ Hotel
(10% Discount off | Discount Code: EFB25)
R. Bartolomeu Dias 117, 1400-030 Lisboa | +351 21 246 7808
Hotel Hyatt Regency Lisbon
☆☆☆☆☆ Hotel
(10% Discount off | Discount Code: CCBCGR )
R. da Junqueira 65, 1300-343 Lisboa | +351 21 241 1234
For any questions regarding the 11th European Family Business Summit, please send an email.
Joaquim Miranda Sarmento
Minister of State and Finance
Joaquim Miranda Sarmento is currently Minister of State and Finance of the XXV
Constitutional Government of the Portuguese Republic. He is also an Associate
Professor (with Aggregation) at ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics and Management, University of Lisbon. He was economic advisor to the President of the Republic Aníbal Cavaco Silva between 2012 and 2016. He worked for 10 years at the Ministry of Finance and was a Consultant in the Technical Budget Support Unit. He was a deputy to the Assembly of the Republic and President of the PSD Parliamentary Group between 2022 and 2024. He has a PhD in Finance from Tilburg University, in the Netherlands.
Jan Kornelis van Oord
President of European Family Business
Jan Kornelis van Oord retired in 2017 as deputy manager director of the Van Oord family holding and investment company MerweOord BV. The parent family business was established 155 years ago.
Before entering the family holding company he had a career in shipping, shipbuilding and transport. He held supervisory board positions in family businessesand was board member and chairman of an NGO for many years. Presently he is Chairman of two BCorp impact investment funds.
Since June 2025, Jan Kornelis is the President of European Family Businesses.
José Germano Pinto Barreira Rêgo de Sousa
President of Association of Empresas Familiares
José Germano de Sousa, MD, is a Clinical Pathologist and executive with over two decades of experience in hospital and private laboratory management.
A graduate of NOVA Medical School, he completed his residency in Clinical Pathology at Hospital Fernando Fonseca, where he later led key diagnostic areas such as Biochemistry and Immunology.
Since 2001, he has held executive roles in several leading medical laboratory groups in Portugal, including as shareholder and CEO of the Centro de Medicina Laboratorial Germano de Sousa, and as Clinical Pathology Director for CUF Hospitals and Clinics.
He is also Assistant Professor at NOVA Medical School and an advocate for high-quality, accessible diagnostic medicine. Married and father of four, he represents the second generation of a family deeply committed to innovation and excellence in healthcare.
Jesús Casado
Secretary General of European Family Business
Jesús is familiar with family succession as he went through a non-expected transfer in his own family which led to the sale of his grandparents’ company.
His educational path is as direct reflection of his interest in diverse disciplines and cultures: after studying a degree in Law and Economics from Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE-Madrid), he completed his tertiary education with post-graduate studies at Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (Germany), at the Spanish Diplomatic School (Madrid) and at the Institut de Sciences Politiques (Paris). He then went on to earn an MBA from ESADE Business School and a Master in Systemic Therapy and Consulting (Neuro Linguistic Programming).
After starting his career as a lawyer for Telefónica in 1998 focusing on international contracts and M&A, Jesús joined the Spanish Family Business Association (IEF). He quickly moved up from Regional Director to International Director and then to Deputy Director General.
In 2006, Jesús was appointed as the Secretary General of European Family Businesses (EFB). Based in Brussels, EFB represents all the National European Family Businesses associations and aims at promoting policies that are conductive to long-term entrepreneurship in Europe. Its members, more than 10.000 family business owners, directly represent more than 10% of the European GDP.
In addition to his role at EFB, Jesús has served as a member of the Board of the Family Firm Institute (FFI) and as a member of the Executive Committee of Family Business Network (FBN-I). Jesús has also been an Academic Collaborator at ESADE and EAE, focusing on Governance and Succession issues. He is family business advisor at Generation 6, member of the Board of several Foundations and a frequent speaker at family business conferences and summits in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Jesús is based in Madrid (Spain) and is fluent in Spanish, English, French and German.
Erik Stern
Deputy Director, FBN Sweden
Erik is sixth generation family business owner and has worked with and advised business owning families via Family Business Network since 2017. With a background in political science and aspirations of entrepreneurship, Erik has over the years gained a diverse experience working with think tanks, political parties, as a business developer and more.
Erik has a mission to try to help people, families and organizations to positively impact our world as much as possible
Today he also serves on the board of the Ragnar Söderberg Foundation alongside four other sixth-generation family members. The foundation is the largest owner of Ratos, a publicly traded business group founded in Stockholm in 1866. He is also co-founder of Ymner and Y2, an organization and fund with a mission to support early deep tech innovation in Sweden.
Margherita Marchi
Head of New Business and Member of the Board at Finint Investments
Margherita Marchi is a financial expert and second-generation representative of her family business, Banca Finint Group. The company, officially known as Banca Finanziaria Internazionale, was founded in 1980 and specialized in financial services. It currently employs over 700 people with over 12 billion of asset under management, has a turnover of €143 million.
Since May 2023, Margherita is serving as a Board Member of AIDAF – the Italian Association of Family Businesses and she is also board member of Finint Investments, the asset management company of Banca Finint Group, where she currently covers the role of Hed of Corporate Development. From 2021 to 2024 she held a Board position at Brussels South Charleroi Airport, reflecting her experience in governance and European-level engagement. Due to her financial expertise and cross-sector experience she has a great knowledge of international representation.
Nicholas H. Vetter
CEO and Managing Director of OncoBeta GmbH
Nicholas H. Vetter is CEO and Managing Director of OncoBeta GmbH, a German headquartered Biotech focused on novel oncology therapies in the emerging field of radiopharmaceuticals and radioisotope based medical device therapeutics.
Nick is also Managing Director of RV Invest GmbH, an early stage Biotech VC investing into early stage novel therapeutic development companies in Europe and the United States of America. Nick carries a Bachelor in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado – Boulder and an MBA from SDA Bocconi.
Nick is part of the 3rd Generation of the Vetter Pharma owner family and intends to play an active role in the company.
Günther H. Oettinger
Former Vice-President of the European Commission
Günther H. Oettinger (1953), a German lawyer and politician, was member of the European Commission for almost ten years, after a career of more than thirty years in German politics. For a long period, he combined these activities with a practice in law, auditing and taxation.
In the Commission Juncker (2014-2019), he held the portfolios of Budget & Human Resources from 2017 until 2019, and Digital Economy and Society in the period 2014-2016, while also being a Vice-President of the European Commission in 2014. In the second European Commission presided by José Manuel Barroso (2010 – 2014), Mr Oettinger was Commissioner for Energy.
From 2005-2010, Mr Oettinger was Prime Minister of the State of Baden-Württemberg in Germany, after having been active for the CDU in this State for almost thirty years, including, inter alia, Chairman from 2005 until 2009, member of the regional Parliament (“Landtag”) since 1984, and leader of the CDU Landtag group from 1991.
Among his other activities for the CDU were member of the Presidium and the Federal Executive Committee from 2005 until 2020, Co-Chairman of the Commission on the Modernisation of Federal-Länder Financial Relations (Federalism Reform II) in 2007 – 2009, Chairman of the Media Policy Expert Group (2006 – 2010), and Chairman of the Federal Committee on Media Policy (1999 – 2006).
In 1982, he started his legal career, first as assessor, then as lawyer and managing director of an auditing and tax consultancy, until 2005.
Mr Oettinger studied law and economics, and graduated in law, in Tübingen.
Delphine Hanton
CEO of Thuasne Group
After her preparatory classes, Delphine Hanton joined the Grenoble School of Management and completed her studies with an MBA in the United States. After starting her career in financial auditing at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Paris, she joined Thuasne Group as administrative and financial manager in 2008 and became administrative and financial director in 2013.
In early 2016, Delphine Hanton was appointed deputy general manager, expanding her scope to include IT, legal affairs, and then regulatory affairs. Delphine Hanton was appointed CEO of Thuasne Group in March 2020.
Founded in 1847, Thuasne designs, develops and manufactures medical devices that enable everyone to become an actor in their own health. For 6 generations, the Group has been offering concrete, adapted and innovative health solutions in the fields of orthopedics, medical compression, home care and sports.
Peje Emilsson
Founder & Owner of Kreab Worldwide.
Serial entrepreneur.
Founder and owner of Kreab Worldwide (1970) a global advisory firm with Financial, Corporate and Public Affairs communications experts in 25 countries.
Founder and owner of Kunskapsskolan Education (1999) developer of the KED program for personalised learning being used by 40.000 students in more than 100 schools in Sweden, India, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom and the United States.
BA from the University of Stockholm 1967 (political science, practical philosophy, statistics, sociology, national economies, computer programming), and a graduate a of the Owner/President Managements Program (OPM) from Harvard Business School 1987.
Member of the Stockholm County Council and its boards for Health Care and Regional Planning 1970-1973.
Chef de Cabinet of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the world business organization 1973-1981.
Chair YPO Sweden 1995-1998. Chair Stockholm Chamber of Commerce 2010-2014.
Board member of Nobel Prize Outreach 2011-2024.
Co-Chair Education and Skilling, Saudi – Swedish Joint Business Council and Co-Chair Education and Skilling, India-Sweden Business Leaders Roundtable.
Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.
2007 awarded H.M. the King of Sweden’s Medal of the Twelfth Dimension in Blue Ribbon for valuable achievements as a business leader and entrepreneur.
Married since 1966 to Gunilla Emilsson, Librarian.
Three children and seven grandchildren.
Daniel Mitrenga
Head of European Affairs and Director at the German business association DIE FAMILIENUNTERNEHMER
Daniel Mitrenga is Head of European Affairs and Director at the German business
association DIE FAMILIENUNTERNEHMER
Based in Brussels he is a member of the Management Committee of EFB and holds a
Ph.D. on European Integration. The news provider table media mentioned him as TOP 100 Heads in European policy.
Alessia Mosca
Chair of the Scientific Committee at AIDAF
Professor at Sciences Po
A member of the board of directors of Crédit Agricole S. A. (Paris) and ATM (Milan), she is also an adjunct professor of EU International Trade at Sciences Po (Paris) and fellow of Corporate Governance at SDA Bocconi (Milan).
She is chairwoman of AIDAF- Italian Family Business Scientific Committee.
From 2014 to 2019, she served as a Member of the European Parliament, working in the INTA (International Trade) committee. Before the election as MEP, she served as a member of the Italian parliament from 2008 to 2014, signing the renowned Italian law that bears her name (the “Golfo-Mosca law”) and introduces gender quotas in the country’s listed companies.
In February 2021, she founded and currently serves as vice president of “Il Cielo Itinerante.” This association aims to empower and promote STEM studies among young (especially female) students in areas of Italy with the highest school dropout risks.
A PhD in Political Sciences she was nominated Young Global Leader (WEF) in 2009 and Rising Talent (Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society) in 2010. She obtained a diploma in International relations (SAIS, Johns Hopkins University, Bologna) and a master degree in diplomacy (ISPI, Milan). Previously she graduated in Philosophy at the Cattolica University in Milan.
Besides her native Italian, she is fluent in English and French and has a conversational knowledge of German.
www.alessiamosca.it
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessiammosca/
Peter Villax
Currently CEO of Mediceus and director of Hovione Ventures.
A graduate of the French Lycée in Lisbon and of Aberdeen University, where he studied Politics and Economics.
He began his career at Hovione in 1982, where he was a programmer, an inventor of pulmonary delivery devices and a board member. In 2016, he founded Hovione Capital (later Bionova Capital) a venture capital company. He was President of the Portuguese Family Business Association between 2007 and 2024.
He is also one of the partners of Biovance Capital Partners, a new venture capital fund, and a member of the General Council of University of Coimbra since March 2025.
His latest business project is Mediceus, a digital health platform for the large-scale processing of data using AI technologies to extract new scientific knowledge.
Edoardo Boroli
Board Member DeAgostini Editore
Edoardo is part of the fourth generation of the De Agostini Group. With a background in economics, management, and international experience in tech and aviation, he is now engaged in private investments in Italy through Mega Holding, which he co-founded, concentrating on opportunities in the food and media sectors. He serves on the Board of DeAgostini Editore and is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of family members through DeA Academy, a structured program designed to strengthen their knowledge of the group, support their personal and professional development, and foster connections with other family businesses.
Pedro de Mello
Chairman of the Shareholders’ Board of José de Mello
Pedro de Mello was born in August 1958, the fifth of twelve siblings.
He began his professional career in the early 1980s in the textile sector, working in Switzerland and the United States of America. He later returned to Portugal to take on executive management roles in several companies within the same sector in Porto.
He went on to hold numerous management positions in various companies within the José de Mello Group, including Soponata, Lis Sado, Efacec, and M Dados, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Lisnave, CUF, and Bondalti, where he served as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors.
He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Petrogal.
He is currently Chairman of the Shareholders’ Board and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of José de Mello.
Maria João de Mello
Chair of the Family Development Council of José de Mello
Maria João de Mello was born in June 1964 in Lisbon. She is the ninth of twelve siblings.
She moved to Switzerland with her family following the 1974 revolution, where she went on to earn a degree in Hotel Management from Glion.
In 1989, she worked for one year at Horwarth Consulting (Portugal), providing consultancy services in the hotel, tourism, and leisure sectors.
Between 1993 and 1996, she was the manager of Lisrestal, a company focused on the organization and management of collective catering services, and of SGL – Sociedade Geral de Limpezas.
She then spent five years at Fernando Fonseca Hospital (Amadora-Sintra) – the country’s first Public-Private Partnership hospital – where she was responsible for the Vitae Clinic.
From 2002 to 2006, she served as Production Director at CUF Descobertas Hospital. She was later appointed as a Board Member of CUF Descobertas, Torres Vedras, and Santarém hospitals, a position she held until 2019.
That same year, she was invited by her siblings to assume the role of Chair of the Family Development Council, a position she continues to hold to this day.
Catarina Costa Duarte
Member of the Shareholders’ Board of José de Mello
Catarina Costa Duarte was born in October 1982. She is the eldest of four siblings (and the only girl), number 5 out of 28 maternal cousins and 6 out of 41 paternal cousins.
She holds a degree in Management from Nova University Lisbon and began her professional career at EDP’s Investor Relations Office. She then worked in the Planning and Control Department at ANF – National Association of Pharmacies, followed by a role in the Management Control Department at Glintt.
Feeling the need to give more purpose to her work, in 2014 she joined CERCICA, a social sector organization, as an Advisor to the Board.
At the end of 2019, she helped establish the Family Office of the José de Mello family, with the mission of preparing the next generations to take on the stewardship of the family group—a role she continues to hold today.
António Casanova
Executive Vice President of Unilever and the CEO of the joint-ventures in Portugal, Unilever FIMA and Gallo.
He is President of Make a Wish Foundation Portugal, chairs the Supervisory Board of NOVA SBE Alumni Association and Board Member of Alfredo de Sousa Foundation (NOVA SBE) and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Harvard Club of Portugal.
He is also a Curator of the Instituto +Liberdade, a member of the General and Advisory Board of Observador and of the Investment Committee of Shilling Capital (a venture capital fund).
António holds a B.Sc. Economics from The London School of Economics, an MBA from NOVA SBE and an AMP from Harvard Business School.
He was President of Unilever Spain, position he held simultaneously with his role in Portugal (2016-2019); President of APAN – Portuguese Association of Advertisers, and of CAEM – the Joint Industry Committee for Media Studies and Governor of St Julian’s School.
Other former posts include CEO of Optimus, Executive Board Member of SonaeCom and of SonaeSierra, Consultant at McKinsey, Non-Executive Board Member of Público and of Eurocash (Poland) and a member of the Advisory Board of the Edmond de Rotschild branch in Lisbon.
Neil Davy
Chief Executive Officer, Family Business UK
Neil is CEO of Family Business UK (FBUK), the largest organisation in the UK representing family businesses.
Previous roles have included being the Group Director of Responsible Business and Sustainability at Capita Plc, a FTSE-listed services business, and Global CEO of Corporate Citizenship, an international management consultancy specialising in sustainability. He also previously led the London-based corporate governance and responsible business think-tank, Tomorrow’s Company.
He grew-up in Asia, beginning his career in international development with the UNHCR before moving into marketing services and management consultancy with WPP, Omnicom and Aegis Group. Based initially in Hong Kong, he then spent several years in Taipei, Shanghai and Tokyo, before eventually moving to London to take on global client roles servicing predominantly FTSE100 clients.
He now lives in the UK with his wife and two teenage daughters. Against prevailing wisdom, in 2010 he established Britain’s only commercial olive grove in Kent. He is also a crew member at the RNLI on the East Sussex – Kent coast, and is a coastal rower.
Daniel Waldenström
Professor of Economics, Research Institute of Industrial Economics, Stockholm.
Daniel Waldenström is Professor of Economics at the Research Institute of Industrial Economics in Stockholm. His research focuses on income and wealth distribution and taxation, and has appeared in leading scientific journals and books.
He has taught at Uppsala University, the Paris School of Economics, and UCLA. He is currently fellow at the CEPR, IZA, CESifo, WIL, and been visiting scholar at the Becker Friedman Institute, University of Chicago.
Waldenström has acted as advisor to the Swedish Minister of Finance in the Council of Advisors between 2021 and 2024, and in a special council for Corona Crisis Policies. He has long-standing experience as advisor to public agencies, the OECD and the European Commission. He is a frequent commentator in European and Global media on policy and research matters.
Lídia Tarré
Vice-President of Associação das Empresas Familiares and Board member of Gelpeixe
Vice President of Gelpeixe | Vice President, Portuguese Family Business Association | Board Member, Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry | Board member, Women Leaders Network Association | Vice President, ADT – Associação Duarte Tarré
Lídia represents the third generation of Gelpeixe, a frozen food company where she leads financial, human resources and sustainability. (Before joining the business, she built her career in accounting, auditing, and financial consulting.) Philanthropy also plays a big mission through ADT – Associação Duarte Tarré.
Lídia deeply believes in leadership ecosystem through networking as she serves the Family Business Association as Vice-President and the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Women Leaders Network Association as board member.
Lídia is one of the main supporters since the beginning of NIL ,“Next in Line”, at the Family Business Association.
Passionate about people, personal development and education, Lídia is certified by ICF as coach, a mentor for career development at AESE and also a consultant and trainer in negotiations at Scotwork.
Lídia’s values like empathy, creativity, impact and innovation are well represented in projects like Vittaliving “the best place for new beginnings” and Mindfly” the safe place to fly high”.
Maria Villax
Consulting Expert in Family Governance & Ownership
Maria advises families on the development and implementation of solid family governance structures to prepare for sustainable generational transitions. From family businesses to family offices, she helps families manage the complexity of family ownership to promote long-term unity.
Maria also creates Next Generation development programmes, designed to help the next generation become responsible owners for the future.
Maria started her career as a lawyer in Lisbon, specialising in criminal litigation and intellectual property. She then moved to London to study an MBA at Hult International Business School, focusing on leadership and communication. Maria then started advising families – as a 3rd generation of a family business herself, helping families prepare for the long-term is a purpose that deeply calls to her.
Sílvia Mota
CEO of MEXT: Mota-Engil Next
Bio soon
Darius Movaghar
Senior Policy Adviser for EFB
Darius Movaghar is Senior Adviser for EFB. He has been working with the family business community for over 15 years. Darius is also Director of Sustainability for FIPRA International, a renowned public affairs agency in Brussels. Darius has extensive experience advising C-suite executives and EU stakeholders on various business-related topics.
His work spans several areas, including environment, energy, and transport, and of course family businesses. Darius has held senior roles at large multinational companies, business organisations, and consultancies throughout his career, including Burson, NOVE, Toyota, ELO, and Gestamp Automoción. Originally from London,
Darius completed his education at the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle and holds a BA in European Studies from the University of Leeds and is father to Eva and Archie.
Matthieu Leclercq
Founder of For Talents
EX CEO of Decathlon
Founder of For Talents and son of Decathlon ‘s founder, Matthieu Leclercq learnt his trade in the family business which he oversaw the growth (doubling in 6 years). He was Head of The Supervisory Board. Matthieu is also at the start-up of new concepts and new businesses, like O ‘tera, for example, a network of fresh products food stores (quickest to Market)
Udo J. Vetter
President of European Family Businesses
President of Vetter Pharma Fertigung GmbH & Co, 2nd generation
Udo J. Vetter studied clinical pharmacy at the University of Seattle. After university, he worked for five years as a pharmacist at the pharma firm Schering-Plough Corp. (Now Merck & Co. Inc.), and set up production facilities in Puerto Rico. Subsequently, he was, among other things, Vice President for licensing and production at Martec Inc., and President of Vetter Pharma-Turm Inc. Since 1987, he holds various senior management positions at Vetter. Moreover, Udo J. Vetter is chairman of the board of the Vetter Pharma since 2008. He is the chairman of Isotope Technologies Munich SE (ITM) and board member of Gland in India.
In 2003, he established the investment company UV-Cap. Udo J. Vetter is a member of the expert association GPMLF of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) and since 2019 he is President of European Family Businesses (EFB).