Family Business Sustainability Summit 2025
The sustainable success of Italian family businesses was the focus of the first edition of the Family Business Sustainability Summit, a conference organized with The European House Ambrosetti that was held on January 21-22, 2025, at Palazzo di Varignana, Castel San Pietro Terme (Bologna). Entrepreneurs and industry experts engaged in discussions, panels, and interviews, delving into the opportunities and challenges that mark the journey of businesses toward achieving sustainable transition.
Italian family businesses are a cornerstone of our economic system but now face crucial challenges related to sustainability, governance, and access to capital. Throughout the event, it became evident that intergenerational ownership transitions, combined with improvements in corporate governance, serve as strategic levers to strengthen long-term engagement and foster confident innovation.
The event was also an opportunity to present the strategic report "Radici nel Futuro" by TEHA and Chiomenti, dedicated to the connection between family businesses and sustainability. The report highlighted the unique strengths these enterprises possess to navigate the complexities of today's international landscape, such as socio-emotional capital and resilience. However, it also underscored the urgent need for targeted actions to ensure Italian companies can attract resources, both debt and equity, thate are essential to invest in sustainability and to deliver competitive companies that operate in a more equitable socio-economic environment to future generations.
During the first day of the conference, Massimiliano Nitti, Partner, in a dialogue with Chiara Mastrotto, President of Gruppo Mastrotto, explored how sustainability can be integrated into family business operations, emphasizing the strong link between business performance and sustainable development.
Later, in a panel dedicated to the key sustainability challenges for businesses within the supply chain, Paolo Valensise, Partner and Professor of Commercial Law at Roma Tre University, addressed central issues, such as corporate responsibility across the entire value chain, actionable steps to improve transparency and traceability, and the importance of ESG due diligence in M&A processes.
Finally, during the second day, Giovanni Cristofaro, Partner, took part in a discussion focused on governance and sustainable leadership, examining the methods and tools family businesses can use to effectively plan for generational transitions.