DCU NCFB at the Schlesinger Global Family Enterprise Case Competition (SG-FECC)
The Schlesinger Global Family Enterprise Case Competition (SG-FECC) took place from January 10 - 13 2024 at the UVM Grossman School of Business in Vermont, USA.
This annual competition prepares students to understand the critical issues that are unique to family businesses. The students apply the knowledge and expertise they have developed in the classroom to solve complex family business cases.
The competition consists of four rounds. In each round students present their case to an international panel of judges who determine which group best understood, analysed and presented the case.
Dr Catherine Faherty, DCU NCFB and Patrick Buckley, EPS.
This year, DCU's National Centre for Family Business (NCFB's) Associate Director, Dr Catherine Faherty, was a lead judge at the competition, along with Patrick Buckley, Managing Director of EPS.
Dr Faherty commented, "SG-FECC is a world-class event which offers a unique and engaging platform for students to showcase their strategic acumen and problem-solving abilities in tackling real-world challenges faced by family businesses.
I was so impressed with every aspect of the competition, from the exceptional student case presentations to the calibre of the international judging panel. The event truly highlights the depth of talent in the next generation. We hope to have a DCU team competing at SG-FECC in 2025!"
Speaking after the event, Patrick Buckey, EPS, described it as “ An insightful experience working alongside other judges listening to students from 27 business schools from around the world in both the graduate and undergraduate categories – all winners in my view . Presenting on different family cases and addressing a variety of opportunities and challenges it was interesting to see the many different and similar approaches and perspectives from students to solving the challenges that are common to family enterprise everywhere.”