09 Oct 2025
Bilan magazine, Finanz und Wirtschaft, and the School of Management Fribourg(HEG-FR), in partnership with Lombard Odier bank, have published the results of a major survey conducted in French-speaking Switzerland targeting family businesses whose owner-managers belong to the second generation or later.
The national survey 2025 reveals Swiss family businesses are experiencing rapid generational change and rising operational pressures. The study, covering 499 companies, shows that employee retention and customer demands now outweigh long-term governance concerns.
Succession planning remains a major weakness: only 11% have formalized the process, and nearly half have not started. Integration programs for the next generation are rare, and many leaders lack a clear strategy for capital distribution.
“While Swiss family businesses show resilience, the lack of formal succession and capital planning poses risks for their future. Leaders must act now to secure long-term sustainability,” says Wild Pascal, Director of HEG-FR.
Despite these challenges, financial indicators are stable or improving, and most companies expect positive results for 2025. The report calls for more structured planning and expert support to ensure successful generational transitions.
Name Family Business Survey
HEG Freiburg, Bilan Magazine, and Finanz und Wirtschaft have launched a large-scale Swiss survey of family businesses that are in their second or higher generation of management.