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Investment

March 1, 2005

Fouad (Fred) H is a self-made man. He arrived in Montreal from Lebanon in the late 1950s at the age of 23 with $150 in his pocket and a pregnant wife, Nieves, whom he met while on vacation in Spain.

Fouad (Fred) H is a self-made man. He arrived in Montreal from Lebanon in the late 1950s at the age of 23 with $150 in his pocket and a pregnant wife, Nieves, whom he met while on vacation in Spain. He took a job as a messenger at a local pharmacy and was able to save enough money to buy his first fashion jewellery shop. Forty years later he had built a large empire with over 65 stores across Canada – with affiliations in the US.

Philanthropy – a family business

March 1, 2005

Graham Davies walks us through the considerations British families must make when venturing into philanthropy

Graham Davies is head of family philanthropy at Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). gdavies@cafonline.org

Graham Davies walks us through the considerations British families must make when venturing into philanthropy

Philanthropy is big business for many corporations. Corporate social spending on 'civil society' by Britain's top 500 listed companies was £845m in 2004. But does this spending serve shareholder interests? And can family-owned companies benefit too?

Notes on disaster grant-making: the Tsunami example

March 1, 2005

The Asian tsunami drew one of the most extensive responses of any large-scale catastrophe. Family foundations do not realise, philanthropy experts tell Melanie Stern, that they are in a unique position to expedite disaster grant-making

Melanie Stern is section editor of Families in Business magazine.

Do more than sign cheques

March 1, 2005

More and more families are getting into organised philanthropy, both to marshal wealth and to contribute to society. Melanie Stern discovers some key issues to consider if your family wants to set up a foundation

Melanie Stern is section editor of Families in Business magazine.

For a few dollars more: Europe’s ten most generous family foundations

March 1, 2005

Google the word philanthropy and the word ‘stiftung’ – or ‘foundation’ in German – comes up many times over. Many eminent philanthropy experts are based there, and many global philanthropic projects lead back to German foundations; so it seems clear Germany is probably Europe’s leader in family philanthropy.

Google the word philanthropy and the word 'stiftung' – or 'foundation' in German – comes up many times over. Many eminent philanthropy experts are based there, and many global philanthropic projects lead back to German foundations; so it seems clear Germany is probably Europe's leader in family philanthropy. Even though the country is faced with its highest unemployment rates since World War II, Germany continues to make a sizeable contribution to European and global philanthropy, fuelled by families selling their companies and realising their wealth.

Be prepared for the savings tax directive

January 1, 2005

Families that have invested offshore to avoid disclosing where they hold their savings must review their options now, say experts familiar with the European savings tax directive. Bob Reynolds explains

Bob Reynolds is consultant editor of Offshore Red.

Global greetings

January 1, 2005

From selling postcards in his room at the Kansas City YMCA in the early 20th century, Joyce Hall’s greetings card empire has become a financial giant. Hallmark has also been dubbed a ‘magical place to work’. Scott McCulloch discovers the secrets of its success

From selling postcards in his room at the Kansas City YMCA in the early 20th century, Joyce Hall's greetings card empire has become a financial giant. Hallmark has also been dubbed a 'magical place to work'. Scott McCulloch discovers the secrets of its success

Private equity: Private equity can help balance the books and promote growth

January 1, 2005

Private equity money has always rung alarm bells for family businesses – no one wants to relinquish power to outsiders. But outside input can have myriad benefits, including scope for expansion and independent pension arrangements, writes Bob Reynolds

Five years ago, the typical family business private equity deal was £10 million for 30% of the enterprise. Now, it is more usual to see venture capitalists paying £100 million for 100% of the business.

Private banking: Pandering to the private people at a pretty profit

January 1, 2005

The ranks of the world’s super wealthy have grown steadily over the past year, says Scott McCulloch. Now all the private banks must do is calculate how to serve them best and do it at a profit

Scott Mcculloch is editor of Families in Business magazine.

The ranks of the world's super wealthy have grown steadily over the past year, says Scott McCulloch. Now all the private banks must do is calculate how to serve them best and do it at a profit

Jury's out on socially-responsible pension funds

January 1, 2005

British institutional pension funds are still struggling to marry a growing interest in ethical investments with their perceived fiduciary responsibilities, says Melanie Stern

Melanie Stern is section editor of Families in Business magazine.

British institutional pension funds are still struggling to marry a growing interest in ethical investments with their perceived fiduciary responsibilities, says Melanie Stern

"What does it mean to say that 'business' has responsibilities? Only people can have responsibilities."