23 October 2025
FBCG Legal Roundtable Marks Ten Years of Shaping Family Governance and Succession Planning
Dubai, 23 October 2025 – The Family Business Council Gulf (FBCG) has marked a decade of dialogue and collaboration with the tenth edition of its annual Legal Roundtable — a forum that brings together general counsels, family business advisors, and legal practitioners from leading family enterprises across the region.
Over the years, the Roundtable has evolved into one of the Gulf’s most trusted platforms for exchanging ideas on succession, inheritance, and estate planning — issues at the heart of long-term family business continuity.
Hind Suhail Bahwan, Chairman of FBCG, said:
“Over the past decade, our Legal Roundtable has become a vital platform for family counsel to collaborate, share experiences, and build practical solutions. These discussions reinforce the importance of proactive planning, strong governance, and innovative structures to ensure continuity for generations to come.”
According to a Pulse Check conducted during the Roundtable, 65% of participants expect family governance — including family charters and next-generation engagement — to dominate their families’ priorities over the next two to three years. Yet, half admitted they are only “somewhat prepared” for the generational transition ahead, and just 16% said they feel “fully prepared.”
Asset protection, business growth, and tax optimisation also remain key concerns. While many families reported a basic or advanced grasp of GCC tax reforms and reporting requirements, 50% said these topics will remain central to their agenda in the coming years.
For those taking action, over half reported using offshore GCC jurisdictions such as ADGM, DIFC, or QFC for succession and estate planning — citing privacy, transparency, and access to specialist expertise as their main reasons for doing so.
When asked how families could best prevent disputes around inheritance or succession, participants overwhelmingly called for stronger legal and governance frameworks. Their recommendations included clearer communication with shareholders and heirs, inclusion of independent board members or trustees, and the adoption of non-litigation mechanisms such as arbitration or mediation.
On the regulatory front, participants urged policymakers to prioritise two areas: harmonisation of onshore and offshore inheritance laws, and recognition of family governance structures tailored to individual family needs.
Fadi Hammadeh, Chair of the FBCG Legal Roundtable, said:
“Reaching our tenth year demonstrates the growing range of succession solutions across the region, particularly in the UAE. Counsels advising families can increasingly adopt personalized and customized strategies to protect assets and facilitate smooth transitions. These discussions help families navigate complex legal landscapes while safeguarding the long-term value created by family businesses”
Now in its tenth year, the FBCG Legal Roundtable continues to bring together the region’s leading family business experts — advancing understanding, collaboration, and action to help families build enterprises that endure across generations.
For media enquiries:
Sara Mohammadi
community@fbc-gulf.org
www.fbc-gulf.org
Hind Suhail Bahwan, Chairman of FBCG, said:
“Over the past decade, our Legal Roundtable has become a vital platform for family counsel to collaborate, share experiences, and build practical solutions. These discussions reinforce the importance of proactive planning, strong governance, and innovative structures to ensure continuity for generations to come.”
According to a Pulse Check conducted during the Roundtable, 65% of participants expect family governance — including family charters and next-generation engagement — to dominate their families’ priorities over the next two to three years. Yet, half admitted they are only “somewhat prepared” for the generational transition ahead, and just 16% said they feel “fully prepared.”
Asset protection, business growth, and tax optimisation also remain key concerns. While many families reported a basic or advanced grasp of GCC tax reforms and reporting requirements, 50% said these topics will remain central to their agenda in the coming years.
For those taking action, over half reported using offshore GCC jurisdictions such as ADGM, DIFC, or QFC for succession and estate planning — citing privacy, transparency, and access to specialist expertise as their main reasons for doing so.
When asked how families could best prevent disputes around inheritance or succession, participants overwhelmingly called for stronger legal and governance frameworks. Their recommendations included clearer communication with shareholders and heirs, inclusion of independent board members or trustees, and the adoption of non-litigation mechanisms such as arbitration or mediation.
On the regulatory front, participants urged policymakers to prioritise two areas: harmonisation of onshore and offshore inheritance laws, and recognition of family governance structures tailored to individual family needs.
Fadi Hammadeh, Chair of the FBCG Legal Roundtable, said:
“Reaching our tenth year demonstrates the growing range of succession solutions across the region, particularly in the UAE. Counsels advising families can increasingly adopt personalized and customized strategies to protect assets and facilitate smooth transitions. These discussions help families navigate complex legal landscapes while safeguarding the long-term value created by family businesses”
Now in its tenth year, the FBCG Legal Roundtable continues to bring together the region’s leading family business experts — advancing understanding, collaboration, and action to help families build enterprises that endure across generations.
For media enquiries:
Sara Mohammadi
community@fbc-gulf.org
www.fbc-gulf.org
