The second KPMG Middle East and South Asia Family Business Conference to be held in Bahrain will focus on transition in family businesses and preparing the next generation of leaders, it has emerged.

Titled 'Preparing the next generation', the conference will be held on October 31 and November 1 this year at the ART Rotana Amwaj Islands, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The event will kick off with an evening welcome reception.

This will be followed by a full day of presentations, networking and panel debates focused on themes including next generation perspectives, the family constitution, talent development, wealth preservation, stewardship and encouragement of entrepreneurial spirit in the next generation.

“Continuing the family legacy is an important goal for most family owned businesses with 71 per cent of respondents sharing this view according to a recent KPMG survey,” the company's Middle East and South Asia head of family business and enterprise and conference chairman Harish Gopinath said.

“The event aims to bring together family business leaders from across the region, giving them an opportunity to share perspectives, learn from others and get to grips with some of the practical steps they can take to support young family members to better prepare to take on leadership positions.”

“We are also looking forward to participation from younger generation business leaders especially those who are preparing to take on wider responsibilities in family owned businesses.

“It will be a good forum to discuss ways to bridge the generation gap,” he added.

The keynote speaker will be Insead founding director of the Wendel International Centre for Family Enterprise and Professor in Entrepreneurial Leadership Professor Randel Carlock. - TradeArabia News Service