On 3 October 2024, Prof. Maurizio Bragagni Esq. OBE, Chairman of the Esharelife Foundation, was invited as a keynote speaker at the webinar “The Art and Science of Making the Impossible Possible – A Journey of a Family Business.” Hosted by the Hume Institute for Postgraduate Studies (Hume) and the Islamic Chamber Training Academy (ICTA), this virtual event focused on leadership, education, and succession planning in family businesses.
Prof. Bragagni’s participation came after the continued success of his latest book, “Transforming Challenges into Opportunities: Mastering the Art of Family Business Success,” which has garnered global attention from academics and student societies.
The Esharelife Foundation, under Prof. Bragagni’s leadership, is committed to providing young people with access to quality education. This mission was a central theme of his presentation, where he emphasized how education serves as the foundation not only for personal development but also for the success of family businesses across generations. In his remarks, Prof. Bragagni reinforced Esharelife’s dedication to empowering youth through educational opportunities, particularly in regions where access is limited, ensuring they have the tools to shape their futures.
Prof. George Holmes DL, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, delivered thoughtful opening and closing remarks that framed the discussion around the success of family businesses. Prof. Bragagni shared his personal experiences from over two decades of leadership at Tratos, a global cable manufacturing leader, stressing the importance of balancing tradition with innovation to remain competitive in today’s market. Drawing from the themes of his book, he explained how family enterprises can adapt to modern challenges while staying rooted in the principles that have driven their success.
Moderated by Prof. Mohammed Abdel-Haq, Director of the Centre for Islamic Finance at the University of Bolton, the event saw over 70 participants from around the world. Many attendees connected with the strategies Prof. Bragagni shared, reflecting on how his experiences resonated with their own challenges in family-owned businesses. His insights on blending traditional values with innovative practices inspired many participants to consider new approaches in their own enterprises.
A key takeaway from Prof. Bragagni’s presentation was the critical role of leadership development within family businesses. He highlighted the value of nurturing leadership from within the family, establishing clear structures, and promoting ongoing professional education to ensure the next generation is well-prepared to guide the business forward. As Chairman of Esharelife, he tied these concepts back to the Foundation’s mission of supporting education, emphasizing that empowered young people become empowered leaders, both in business and society.
Drawing from his academic roles as a Visiting Professor at the University of Bolton and Senior Visiting Fellow at Bayes Business School, City, University of London, Prof. Bragagni underscored the transformative impact of education on shaping future leaders. He connected this directly to Esharelife’s mission of expanding educational access, stressing that education is a powerful tool for unlocking the potential of young people, whether they are poised to take over family businesses or pursue other impactful careers.
The webinar not only highlighted the art of family business success but also reinforced the broader mission of the Esharelife Foundation: helping young people transform their futures through quality education.