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

Even the best international tax structures fail without emotional governance. Private wealth expert Charlie Sosna reveals how to fix governance pitfalls and secure your family legacy.

High-net-worth families often spend millions on complex trusts, tax structures, and international asset protection. Yet, even the most pristine estate plan can shatter if the human foundation underneath it fractures. When family succession ignores emotional dynamics, self-awareness, and relational health, financial wealth becomes a source of deep conflict rather than lasting stability.

In this episode of Safe Space, host Francesco Lombardo sits down with Charlie Sosna, Partner and Head of Private Wealth and Tax at Mishcon de Reya. Ranked by Chambers HNW as one of the world's leading private client advisors, Charlie brings decades of expertise navigating complex international tax matters, UK-US planning, and ultra-high-net-worth structures across the globe.

However, Charlie's deepest takeaway goes beyond numbers and legal agreements: structural planning is only half the battle.

We dive into the hidden pitfalls of governance, exploring why emotional intelligence and behavioral governance are the true keys to legacy preservation. Charlie shares how establishing clear roles, setting healthy expectations, and addressing unsaid family dynamics protect multi-generational continuity far better than legal trusts alone. Learn how to move past rigid corporate frameworks, cultivate genuine self-awareness within your family enterprise, and align your financial wealth with lasting emotional health.

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

How do you protect a family legacy across generations? Val Montagnana-Wallace reveals how authentic storytelling and shared family narratives solve deep succession challenges and foster connection.

Building a multi-generational legacy requires more than a flawless estate plan—it requires a shared identity. When family businesses transition to the next generation, facts and figures are easily forgotten, but the emotional narratives and foundational stories endure. Without a clear internal narrative, successors often struggle with their place in the family history, leading to succession friction and a lost sense of purpose.

In this episode of Safe Space, host Francesco Lombardo sits down with Val Montagnana-Wallace, CEO of the family-owned creative agency Hyphen – Stories, Well Told. Val transitioned from a primary school teacher to leading a business founded by her husband and brother, giving her a uniquely human perspective on managing complex family dynamics. She explains why uncovering and sharing your family's authentic history is the ultimate tool for emotional governance and lasting unity.

We explore how the stories we tell ourselves—both internally and externally—shape the future of the family enterprise. Val shares how leaning into vulnerability allows families to bridge generational divides, heal unspoken conflicts, and foster genuine connection. By crafting meaningful narratives, founders can pass down their true legacy, ensuring the next generation feels anchored in their roots rather than burdened by rigid expectations.

Whether you are navigating a difficult generational transition or simply want to document your family's journey before it fades, this conversation provides an actionable roadmap. Learn how authentic storytelling transforms family business transitions from purely structural handoffs into deeply connected, purpose-driven legacies.

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