Successfully managing company succession

Are you thinking about two CEOs? Why not. Transferring the management of a company from one generation to the next is a complex procedure that often confronts entrepreneurs with wide-ranging challenges. Our expert teams understand your needs and can offer tried-and-tested solutions for company succession.

Five-step succession process

Start tackling the issue of succession management well in advance.

 

Our network of experts can help give you a clear overview of your current situation as well as potential obstacles in succession planning. This process can be broken down into five main stages:

Have you already given some initial thought to the issue of succession? We can help you fine-tune your thinking process. We would be happy to discuss the different stages of the succession process with you in a personal consultation.

 

If you'd like us to assist with these stages, we can provide you with a project team comprised of experts from various areas of the bank that is specifically tailored to you.

Whether converting the company to another legal form – e.g. a joint-stock company – or if you are addressing issues like assessment planning or pension, marriage, inheritance law, and advance directives: we can assess your current situation with you and explore your own ideas and goals.

 

We use this situation analysis to establish initial prep work that our specialists will be happy to help you execute.

We assess and prioritize the different internal and external options you have. This includes the following:

  • Compiling the advantages and disadvantages of possible succession options.
  • Visualizing the requirements for implementing each option.
  • Searching for potential buyers.
  • Drawing on experience from other succession solutions. 

Together we prepare the company, the outgoing entrepreneur, and the incoming entrepreneur for the handover. During this step we assist you in the following:

  • Structuring your private wealth and the company's assets.
  • Executing the financial plan based on marital property law, inheritance law, and private financial planning.
  • Supporting successors in drawing up a business plan and liquidity planning.

In the final step of the successor assuming management and ownership, we are there to offer you support in the following:

  • Conducting asset transactions.
  • Obtaining succession financing.
  • Managing disposable portions of assets (asset allocation).
  • Providing the company with ongoing assistance after handover.

Handing over the family business: A milestone

There is no doubt that for family businesses, handing over to the next generation is not just a milestone in the history of the company, but also for the family itself. At the same time, entrepreneurs should not underestimate the challenges that such a handover entails.

15/12/2023

CS/HSG Study: Corporate succession in practice

Planning the corporate succession for a company is a central strategic task for entrepreneurs.

15/12/2023

Eight success factors for company succession

There are a number of risks involved in the succession process that may be insignificant in one case, while in another, they could spell an undesirable end to your plans. The following eight factors are crucial to success.

1. Succession management

Approach your succession planning as a project: Define the participants, goals, roles, guidelines, and a timeline.

2. Clarify needs

At an early stage, clarify the demands of groups with different expectations and the power they wield.

3. Capital structure analysis

Take steps to ensure that your company can cope with a succession: Analyze its capital structure and define organizational rules in writing.

4. Bring external partners on board

Carefully analyze your requirements for advice and only when you have done this, select partners who can fully meet your needs.

5. Compare succession options

Always review several different succession options and consider the benefits and drawbacks of each one.

6. Consider legal issues

Consider all the legal aspects such as the requirements stipulated by inheritance law.

7. Create financial transparency

Ensure financial transparency so that you and the successors have an objective basis for making decisions during the preparation and handover stage.

8. Plan your own future

Take early action to plan your own future outside of the company.

Our guidelines on succession financing

A suitable successor cannot always be found in-house. Potential buyers are confronted with the issue of succession financing. Company structures and succession processes vary widely, so we consider each case on an individual basis. That said, however, there are some general guidelines which can be deviated from in justified cases.

  • It should be possible to repay the portion financed by borrowing within five years. This should not exceed three times the annual profit (before interest, tax, and depreciation).
  • The equity capital should be equivalent to about half of the purchase price. The vendor's subordinated loans are set off against equity capital for this purpose.

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Personal consultation

Do you have questions about or would you like a consultation regarding succession at your company? We have the right solution. Schedule a personal consultation with our experts.