Sustainable agricultural business wins FBN Next Generation Lombard Odier Award 2022
The Family Business Network (FBN) and Lombard Odier nominated three exceptionally promising young family business entrepreneurs as finalists in the 14th FBN NxG Lombard Odier Award. The prize was won by Fardan Fahad Alfardan for “Safwa”, his sustainable agricultural business which uses technology to grow produce whilst limiting the impact on the Earth.
At the FBN 31st Global Summit taking place from 28 September to 1 October 2022 in Budapest, Hungary, each finalist will tell their story – including the role of their family and how they envisage future growth in a constantly expanding and globalised world.
This year we celebrate 20 years of NxG history, with great examples of entrepreneurial spirit still evident within our community. In this next generation, we see an inherent desire to find a place in the family business and in the world: we are proud that this results in innovative, responsible and high-impact projects such as those nominated for this year’s NxG Award. We are confident that this space will continue to grow with our community over the years, encouraging more entrepreneurs to forge their path and to find new ways to make the world a better place.
Whilst the recent health and geopolitical crises present intense challenges to any entrepreneurial journey, they also provide an opportunity to accelerate the next wave of innovation. Throughout these turbulent times, FBN and Lombard Odier believe it is essential to consistently foster and support young NxG entrepreneurs
Alexis du Roy de Blicquy, CEO at FBN, said: “We are proud to recognise three exceptional family business entrepreneurs of our community, who are nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of their families across generations. Congratulations to Fardan Fahad Alfardan for winning this prestigious award.”
“As FBN celebrates the 20th anniversary of our NxG Community, it is essential to encourage and support new leaders who are contributing to innovate and transform their legacy businesses to tackle today’s challenges, including climate change. Business families are a powerful force for good: as they think and act in generations, not quarters, they play a significant role in transforming business models and redefine success across generations.”
Frédéric Rochat, Managing Partner at Lombard Odier, said: “We would like to congratulate Fardan Fahad Alfardan as the recipient of the FBN NxG Lombard Odier award, as well as Micaela Illy and Nicolas Staempfli for the fantastic achievement of reaching the final stage. Entrepreneurial spirit, resilience and innovation sit at the heart of family businesses, and we are very proud to be a partner of the FBN Next Generation award.”
“During these challenging times, we must focus on sustainability as there is a profound economic transformation underway. This sustainability revolution is driven by powerful market forces: investor pressure, changing consumer behaviour and the transitioning of companies’ business models. These elements will continue to accelerate the transition to an economic model that is more Circular, Lean, Inclusive and Clean (CLIC®). At Lombard Odier, we are convinced that the environmental transition will provide many opportunities and innovations that we must embrace.”
“This award is a natural extension of our convictions and has been created to support innovative and sustainable initiatives devised by the next generation of family entrepreneurs from all over the world.”
The prize
This year, we have the honor to partner with the International Institute for Management Development.
The winner will receive a free seat at one of IMD Executive Program.
Finalists will:
Receive first-hand guidance from peers
Receive actionable feedback from expert jury members, which include senior business leaders, seasoned entrepreneurs, and academic experts
Have the opportunity to present their project (online or in-person) to the FBN community
“Being part of FBN has let us learn from other family businesses. We have had the opportunity to talk to very experienced CEOs and the family members that will inherit these businesses and build on our mutual experiences and understanding.”
Nominate a candidate for 2023!
We will be celebrating the 15th edition of the FBN NxG Lombard Odier Award