The Dubai Centre for Family Businesses, operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has introduced three specialised advisory services aimed at strengthening the long-term governance and sustainability of family-owned enterprises in the emirate.
The initiative comes as part of a broader effort to enhance the role of family businesses in Dubai’s economic development, helping them navigate complex transitions, adopt international best practices, and safeguard multigenerational legacies.
“Family businesses remain a vital engine of growth, diversification, and innovation within Dubai’s economy,” said Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers. “Ensuring their continued success is essential to enhancing the emirate’s competitiveness and driving sustainable long-term growth.”
Three Services To Address Key Governance Gaps
The new suite of services is designed to support family enterprises at different stages of their maturity and succession planning cycles. It includes:
1. Current-State Assessment & Family Constitution Review
This service offers a deep-dive analysis into a family business’s governance structures and internal policies. Using an automated Governance Assessment Tool, the centre evaluates existing Family Constitutions and benchmarks them against regulatory standards and global best practices.
The review identifies governance gaps, stakeholder misalignments, and potential risks, while providing tailored recommendations to enhance resilience and future-readiness.
2. Family Constitution Drafting
Aimed at businesses seeking to formalise their succession and governance strategies, this service assists families in developing a comprehensive Family Constitution. The process involves structured interviews, workshops, and facilitated dialogues to align family members on vision, values, leadership eligibility, and decision-making frameworks.
The result is a custom document that defines roles, responsibilities, and conflict resolution protocols — critical for preserving unity and ensuring intergenerational continuity.
3. Family Office Blueprint
This service supports families in establishing private platforms for managing investments, wealth, and personal affairs. Through tailored workshops, the centre helps define the strategic purpose, services, and organisational structure of the Family Office — including key roles, staffing, and succession strategies.
It also covers aspects of legacy planning, philanthropic goals, and consolidating assets under a formalised structure that ensures long-term financial stewardship.
Empowering Family Enterprises Amid Evolving Dynamics
Family businesses in the UAE contribute significantly to GDP and employment, yet face increasing pressure to modernise governance practices, particularly during generational transitions. The Dubai Centre’s latest initiative reflects a proactive approach to supporting these companies in sustaining their economic influence and embracing innovation.
“The centre is committed to empowering family businesses to navigate economic developments and adopt global best practices,” Lootah added. “This contributes to a more competitive private sector and reinforces Dubai’s role as a global hub for trade and investment.”
–Input WAM
