A passion for family business
Loving family businesses like we do, our engagement goes far beyond consulting work. In addition to working on business administration for family businesses, we have launched numerous initiatives for family enterprises.
Governance code for family businesses
Good governance is an indispensable part of the success of family businesses. In order to provide interested business families with guidelines on organizing their governance structure, Peter May joined with well-known family business owners and academics to create the world’s first Governance Code for Family Businesses in 2004.
To this day, he is the chairman of the Commission, led as a joint initiative with the INTES Family Business Academy, FBN (Family Business Network) Deutschland and DIE FAMILIENUNTERNEHMER (an association representing the interests of family businesses).
Family business owner of the year
Good family business practice requires role models. That is why the Family Business Owner of the Year award was launched in 2004 on the initiative of Peter May. It has become one of the most important awards for family business owners in Germany.
As jury chairman to this day, Peter May recognizes exemplary business figures each year.
Previous award-winners:
2022 Ayhan, Karl, Ayla, Sami und Kaya Busch
2021 Jens and Felix Fiege
2019 Familie Goldbeck
2018 Volkmar and Torsten Wywiol
2017 Ludwig Merckle
2016 Martin Viessmann
2015 Simone Bagel-Trah
2014 Stefan Fuchs
2013 Familie Leibinger
2012 Heinrich Deichmann
2011 Heinz Gries and Andreas Land
2010 Stefan Messer
2009 Markus Miele and Reinhard Zinkann
2008 Bernhard Simon
2007 Jürgen Heraeus
2006 Peter-Alexander Wacker
2005 Michael Stoschek
2004 Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler
Family Business Network (FBN)
The sharing of ideas and experience is as important to the success of business families as training and advice. Family Business Network (FBN) is the world’s largest organization in this area. With this in mind, Peter May joined friendly family business owners in creating FBN Deutschland in 2000 and acted as Managing Director for many years.
Research and teaching
Following positions at UHW in Witten, FHDW in Bergisch-Gladbach and IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland, Prof. Dr. Peter May has been teaching as an Honorary Professor at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, where he has been a member of the INSTITUTE OF FAMILY BUSINESS since 2009.