Family business succession often collapses without early communication and emotional safety. FBA CEO Catherine Sayer reveals how to navigate succession challenges and preserve your legacy.

Family businesses make up 70% of all enterprises across Australia and New Zealand, forming the backbone of the economy. Yet, despite their immense scale, many founders face the exact same silent struggle: navigating succession while managing shifting government policies and intense personal dynamics. When communication breaks down, succession planning becomes a source of deep anxiety rather than a celebration of continuity.

In this episode of Safe Space, host Francesco Lombardo sits down with Catherine Sayer, CEO of the Family Business Association (FBA). With extensive leadership experience across agribusiness, food manufacturing, and corporate boards, Catherine brings a grounded perspective on why family enterprises need both structural advocacy and relational health to thrive across generations.

We address the core challenges threatening modern family enterprises, from policy changes to the crucial need for early, transparent communication. Catherine shares how creating emotional safety within the family allows founders and successors to discuss hard truths before a crisis hits. We explore how community support, peer forums, and dedicated advocacy empower families to step out of isolation and protect both their businesses and their relationships.

Whether you are navigating an upcoming ownership transition or trying to build a safer environment for honest family dialogue, this conversation offers practical, human-centered insights. Learn how to combine proactive governance with emotional safety to ensure your family enterprise remains resilient, connected, and built for the future.

Connect with me here:
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/
• https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice
• https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational
• https://veritage.ca