ABOUT ME

I've been where you are and I can help

From my family business, to yours

I launched the Successor Academy course after 25 years working in my own fifth generation family business, The Musgrave Group.

I immediately recognised that there was a huge need for practical and real-life education and training for successors; people who may one day be at the helm of their family firm, guiding ownership or contributing in other ways.

The Musgrave Group

During my time in the family business, I worked in commercial retail and wholesale operations in Ireland and Spain. I received a grounding in business operations, branding, strategy and retailing.

I was also a member of the Family Council for 12 years where I worked with others to define their first Family Constitution.

I also served two five-year terms as a non-executive (family) Director on the board of the business. I contributed to business policy, strategy, performance and management to the family values.

Finally, I defined and led the first internal programme for the education and involvement of the 50 members of the next generation (5th & 6th gen). It covered family governance, ownership and opportunities for successors to learn and contribute. Plus practical experience of the company through work experience, graduate and induction programmes.

Education

B.A from Trinity College, Dublin and MBA from Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

Leadership

Diploma in Executive Coaching. Qualified executive and leadership coach.

Author

Published author of 'The Successor's Voice' - a book for family business successors.

Speaker

Presenter and attendee at the IMD course 'Leadership of the Family Business'

AUTHOR

The Successor's Voice

I published The Successor’s Voice in 2023 as a practical guide for family members succeeding to ownership of a family business, either taking over ownership directly or joining as manager and heir apparent.

This important book provides for the first time a go-to resource for the successor to a family-in-business – taking the reader step by step through the processes required to inform themselves on the possibilities of ownership, decide on the best path for them and in turn make a contribution to successful succession.

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Family Business Network

I was a founding member of FBN Ireland, the Irish chapter of the world's leading network of business owning families, promoting the success and sustainability of family business.

I pulled together over 40 of Ireland's most dynamic and successful family-run businesses to create an invaluable network of leaders and entrepreneurs.

Going from strength to strength, and expanding rapidly, FBN-I provides experiential learning for its members through intimate and informative events, connecting families in business to inspire connection and community, while advocating on their behalf in the public and political sphere.