Generational change does not mean the elimination of old values

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 05. 08. 11:08

There comes a point in every business leader’s life when they have to pass the baton to the next generation. But rejuvenation does not necessarily mean that the best practices, established values and traditions are replaced. The 40th anniversary K&H Family Business Club discussed generational change while preserving previous values. The growing international importance of family businesses is demonstrated by the fact that the Bulgarian bank of the KBC group, UBB, has just launched its own Family Business Center, following the example of K&H.

The financial institution welcomed the participants with special program elements and international guest speakers on the occasion of the 40th anniversary K&H Family Business Club, which discussed the issues that most concern family businesses, including generational change. The event was opened by Peter Roebben, CEO of K&H Bank, who headed the corporate business at the banking group when the Family Business Center was established.

“The initiative was born during a regular client visit, where instead of the usual topics, my client shared his concerns with me regarding the topic of succession. This meeting started us at K&H to think about what family businesses mean to us, and based on this, what we could do for the long-term sustainable success of Hungarian family businesses. It is good to see how well this initiative works after 10 years and what a useful breeding ground for knowledge sharing it is,”

said Peter Roebben, CEO of K&H.

“Over the past ten years, we have come a long way in supporting family businesses, which by the way account for about half of our entire corporate loan portfolio. We are constantly working to invite speakers who can authentically and first-hand share their knowledge with the participants, on topics that are in line with the daily challenges of Hungarian family businesses and the interests of company managers. And our good examples seem to be catching on: the Bulgarian bank of the KBC group, UBB, has just launched its own Family Business Center,”

– said Ékes Ákos, Head of the K&H Family Business Center.