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      How can your family business build long term growth and sustainability?

       

      Growth matters for any business – it is essential for building prosperity and sustainability. However, for family businesses, how you grow matters beyond sales and bottom-line profit. Success is multi-faceted involving not just financial performance, but social responsibility and environmental impact underpinned by the legacy and identify of the family, its purpose and values.

      Our latest research report prepared in collaboration with STEP Project Global Consortium and KPMG Private Enterprise using data collected from 2,683 businesses from over 80 countries provides a deeper understanding of the core drivers of family business growth – effective governance and leadership, a focus on sustainability across generations and the capacity for strategic investment to enhance performance.

      Ninety percent of the UAE’s private sector is comprised of family-owned businesses, contributing nearly 40 percent of the national GDP and employing over 70 percent of the sector’s workforce. Dubai alone is home to nearly 60 percent of the UAE’s family businesses, representing the city’s role as a major pillar of the nation’s economy. Additionally, Dubai’s strategic location and the role of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) position it as a key access point for international family businesses.

      The Dubai Centre for Family Businesses, launched in 2023 under Dubai Chambers, continues to provide toolkits, guidebooks and training programs designed to support the growth and continuity of the sector. In collaboration with major public and private sector stakeholders, the centre caters to the evolving needs of family businesses, collaborating with strategic partners to drive innovative solutions and enable future success.

      The World Governments Summit (WGS) 2025 featured key discussions focusing on the long-term economic sustainability of family businesses. A roundtable, co-hosted by Dubai Chambers, brought together leading government officials and executives from the sector to explore robust governance frameworks and strategies for empowering the next generation of family business leaders. His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, emphasized the influence of family businesses on regional and global economies, generating 70 percent of global GDP and achieving up to 5 to 10 percent higher revenue growth compared to non-family enterprises.

      Family businesses have long formed the foundation of the economies in the Gulf region, contributing significantly to employment, innovation, and national identity. But as we enter a new era of economic transformation in many of these geographies, these businesses face an urgent need to modernize their governance structures, diversify their investments portfolios, explore options in respect of supply chain disruptions, invest in technological advances including GenAI, develop strategies to tackle challenges arising from war for talent and embrace the next generation of leadership. Succession planning is no longer optional—it is a strategic imperative.

      Abdullah Akbar

      Head of Private Enterprise and Family Business; Head of Board Leadership Centre

      KPMG Middle East

      Key facts and figures

      67% 

      of High Performing businesses had formal boards (10% more than the total sample).

      32% 

      of the 2,683 of the businesses surveyed reported “High Performance” relative to their peers.

      48% 

      exhibited High Sustainability of these 70% had formal boards and over 80% reported High Performance.

      46% 

      had high levels of transgenerational entrepreneurship (TES) of these 46% reported high performance 43% more than the global sample.

      Artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies, as well as the shifting global environment, are reshaping family businesses’ growth strategies. Diversifying traditional business hubs and investing in digital assets can help mitigate geopolitical risks and drive new market opportunities. At the summit, AI was also discussed as an important tool for informed decision-making in succession planning and long-term growth. By enabling data-driven decision-making, AI supports more precise and agile operations, enhancing capabilities in market research, regulatory compliance, supply chain management and automation.

      As family businesses are operating in an environment shaped by regulatory change, global uncertainty and rapid technological advancement, it is essential for the next generation to have a clear understanding of local and global trends to preserve their legacy. This report aims to equip family business leaders with the knowledge and tools to navigate complexities, manage growth and unlock long-term value. It explores three critical themes shaping the future of family businesses: achieving sustainable growth, establishing effective governance structures, and securing diverse sources of capital for expansion.

      To learn how KPMG Private Enterprise can help assist your family business review our range of services and contact (local representatives).

      Contact us

      abdullah-akbar
      Abdullah Akbar

      Head of Private Enterprise and Family Business; Head of Board Leadership Centre

      KPMG Middle East