Women’s Leadership in Family Businesses Infographic

October 24, 2022
In this issue’s “By the Numbers,” we look at the significant impact of family-owned businesses in the world and their communities, as well as how they are measuring up on diversity and inclusion.

Overview of Family Business

  • 35% of Fortune 500 companies are family-controlled
  • Family firms comprise 90% of all business enterprises in North America
  • 89% of North American family businesses engage in social responsibility activities
    • 77% contribute to their local community
    • 63% are involved in traditional philanthropy and grant-based giving
  • 34% of U.S. family businesses have a robust, documented and communicated succession plan in place
  • Decisions about succession take place earlier if the next family business leader is female

Focusing In on Women in Family Business

  • Just 5% of large family businesses have a female CEO, vs. 8% of Fortune Global 500 companies
  • Large family firms with a woman on board: 31% in 2021 vs. 16% in 2014
  • 70% of the largest family businesses are considering a woman as their next CEO, with 30% strongly considering it
  • Family businesses are grooming an average of four women for top leadership positions: one family member and three non-family members
  • Female-owned family firms experience greater family loyalty to the business, agreement with its goals, and pride in the business
  • Woman-owned family firms have a 40% lower rate of family member attrition in the business
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