On 2 October 2018, Tadzio Schilling, AEB SME Committee Chairman, Associate Director, Business Development, Foreign Desk Organization, EY, took part in the First Forum of family entrepreneurs "Successful Family - Successful Russia!", organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia.

The session was moderated by Mr. Georgy Petrov, Counselor to the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia.

Mr. Schilling delivered a presentation ”Family businesses in the current economic environment. Between adaptation and disruption”, in the session devoted to European countries’ experience in running family businesses - SMEs.

  

The importance of family businesses to the European economy, due to their large share in Europe’s GDP, cannot be underestimated. They are essential to growth and employment creation. The speakers discussed the specifics of family businesses in Europe, including the historical aspects of their establishing, criteria for success, current driving forces and challenges related to digitalization, globalization and localisation trends. The privileges for family SMEs in European legislation and financing terms were highlighted as the factors contributing to the favourable business environment for SMEs.