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Family Businesses in India

The Next Generation

How younger members of business families are reshaping their firms through new ventures, digital businesses and more roles for daughters.

A new generation is taking over Indian family businesses.

New directions

  • Starting new ventures in consumer brands, tech and sustainability.
  • Digitising traditional businesses.
  • Investing in startups through family offices.

Daughters in leadership

  • More daughters now lead businesses: Isha Ambani in Reliance Retail, Roshni Nadar Malhotra chairing HCL Technologies, and Nisaba Godrej at Godrej Consumer.

Family offices

Wealthy families set up family offices to manage investments, with hundreds operating in India.

Education

Many next-gen leaders study abroad and work outside the family firm first.

Challenges

  • Proving themselves to employees and investors.
  • Balancing tradition with change.
  • Entitlement concerns.

Wealth transfer

Large amounts of wealth will pass between generations in coming decades, shaping business and philanthropy.

The digital heir

A young family member of a traditional textile group launches an online brand, reaching customers directly and modernising the family business.

Thinking only sons inherit family businesses

Daughters increasingly lead major family firms.

Key takeaways
  • Next-gen leaders start ventures and digitise businesses.
  • Daughters increasingly lead major firms.
  • Family offices invest in startups.
  • Proving themselves and balancing tradition are challenges.
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