Family firms lie at the heart of communities across Ireland and are the bedrock of the Irish economy, accounting for 64% of all businesses and employing over 938,000 people.
Yet for Irish family firms to remain at the heart of their communities for generations to come, they must first address global challenges like transitioning to a low-carbon economy, digital transformation and external shocks such as conflict in Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic. They also face distinct internal challenges to their success and longevity that arise when family and work dynamics combine, such as generational succession, family governance, inheritance and estate planning, nurturing of family talent, and the integration of non-family executives.
Established in 2013, the DCU National Centre for Family Business works with and for Irish family businesses to produce and share insights that enable family firms to succeed and grow into the future. As a leading family business research centre, it specialises in translating world-class research into best practice insights that empower family firms to embrace contemporary challenges and achieve continuity across generations. Its current programme focuses on four key areas:
