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Clarity is key when passing control of a family business to the next generation

Published: 13 June 2025

Even the most successful family businesses often don’t withstand the march of time. Just because one generation had what the right skills and temperament to run a business doesn’t mean their grandchildren will. But the Vancouver-based chocolate maker Purdys Chocolate bucks the trend, with a third-generation leader poised to take the helm.

Current chair Karen Flavelle has groomed her son Scott McTavish to manage the family business. They’ve developed a formal succession plan and a scorecard with clear criteria. This type off effective communication is key when passing control of a business from one generation to the next, according to Robert Nason, an associate professor at Desautels. “It is paramount to navigating the ebbs and flows of the interdependent systems of family and business. The key to being able to manage it is to be aware of it,” he adds.

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