Ricardo Kandelman Joins Leyster as Senior Advisor to Support Growth of Family and Founder-Controlled Businesses 4 June 2025 - Zeist, June 2, 2025 — Leyster, a long-term investor in family and founder-controlled businesses focused on generational transfer, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ricardo Kandelman as Senior Advisor. With a career spanning well over three decades at SHV Holding and its portfolio companies Mr. Kandelman brings extensive expertise in supporting companies through complex transitions and growth phases. In his new role, he will work closely with Leyster’s co-founders to advise portfolio companies and strengthen Leyster’s approach to long-term value creation across generations. “We are delighted to welcome Ricardo to Leyster,” said Bob Rosman, Co-Founder at Leyster. “His experience leading businesses at operational level as well as his understanding of generational dynamics will be a tremendous asset as we continue to partner with families navigating succession and growth.” Mr. Kandelman added, “I admire Leyster’s thoughtful approach to investing and its commitment to stewardship across generations. I look forward to contributing my experience to support Leyster’s mission helping family businesses thrive over the long term.” For further information, please contact: Bob Rosman Co-Founder Leyster info@leyster.com Jeroen Hietink Co-Founder Leyster info@leyster.com Continue reading
Succession and Competitive edge: Two Challenges Keeping Family Business Leaders Awake 4 July 2024 - Succession and Competitive edge: Two Challenges Keeping Family Business Leaders Awake Among the many challenges you as leaders of Family and Founder Controlled Businesses (FFCB’s) face, succession and gaining or maintaining a competitive edge might be the ones keeping you awake. They may seriously impact the future of your business as well as the level of future involvement of the family and founders. Two issues that might keep family business leaders awake at night 1. Succession: transferring control of the company to the next generation The first item that will creep up higher on the agenda over time is how the family wants to transfer the business to the next generation. This step is something that is never taken lightly as it has an impact on the future of the company but also on the family dynamics. As families attempt to preserve their entrepreneurial legacy, they often encounter a myriad of issues that can jeopardize the continuity and success of the business. These challenges are multifaceted, encompassing emotional, financial, managerial, and legal dimensions. It leaves the family with both a significant opportunity and a daunting challenge. How to structure a transfer is now even more topical due to the popular HBO series Succession but also due to less entertaining articles in mainstream media about the ageing of family leaders in a C-suite position. According to research from EY and University of Sankt Gallen the average age of family board members (either non-executive or executive) is 62 years and continues to rise 1. The concern is not that this average is currently at 62 years but that it continues to go up. Two years ago, it was 60 according to the same research institution implying that transfer to the next generation is only happening at a very slow pace. The urgency for transfer to… Continue reading
