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The Global Family Business Champions

The Future Family Business CEO


In partnership with EY UK, Livingston James carried out a research project to investigate the future CEO. They surveyed and interviewed over 120 leaders across all sectors and functions in the Scottish market to identify what they believe will be the most important characteristics for the CEO of the future.


What have they uncovered? In essence, the traditional playbook has evolved. The qualities that led to CEO success in the past are no longer adequate. The environment in which CEOs operate is undergoing a fundamental shift, rendering some traditional leadership approaches obsolete. This impacts what CEOs need to accomplish, how they go about it, and what essential characteristics are required for success in this new era.


Key Findings:

  • CEO's are concerned about workforce and culture - attracting, retaining and developing to ensure prosperity and diversity

  • Digital transformation and the accelerated pace of technological change is keeping CEO's awake at night

  • Balancing the needs of all stakeholders, demonstrating broader long-term value are concerns for many CEO's today

  • Winning hearts and minds of the workforce to sustain momentum is seen as a challenge to CEO's fulfilling their strategic intention


"Doing business today is very different to the way that business was done 20 years ago and the world of business continues to change at such a rapid rate."
Clearly, the skills of those at the helm, running family businesses will need to evolve to ensure the CEO of tomorrow at least meets the needs of the business and reports such as this are important in highlighting the challenges faced, enabling conversations to be had and actions to be taken."

"The report highlights some interesting results that should add to some of the strategic conversations taking place in family firms across the country too," adds Paul Andrews, Founder & CEO of Family Business United.


Download and read the full report here:


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