The videocast Family Business Talks is back for its second season, featuring new testimonies from leaders of family businesses who share first-hand their challenges, lessons learned and key decisions in the management and continuity of family-owned companies.
This initiative is led by students of the Mastering Family Businesses course at CATÓLICA-LISBON, a pioneer in family business education in Portugal. It aims to highlight the strategic importance of family businesses in both the national and international economy.
In the first episode of the new season, now available on CATÓLICA-LISBON’s YouTube channel, Vítor José and his daughter Vanessa José talk about the succession process at Grupo Conceito, a family business with over four decades of experience in accounting, tax and human resources. Today, the group employs around 400 people across several regions of the country.
Founded in 1982 by Vítor José and his brother, Grupo Conceito began in Almada with the goal of offering outsourcing services in Accounting, Tax, Human Resources, Treasury and Management Support. Over time, the business grew steadily. The opening of an office in Lisbon marked the beginning of its expansion, which reached a turning point in 1998 with the acquisition of Ernst & Young’s outsourcing division. This brought new clients and a team with international experience. The group later expanded to offices in Porto, Malveira and Madeira, establishing a solid presence in Portugal and beyond.
The company’s sustainable growth is closely linked to the way the generational transition was planned and implemented. Over the years, the founders gradually involved their children and nieces in the business, encouraging them to gain experience and autonomy. When the time came to decide who would ensure the continuity of the company, the decision was made pragmatically. “As part of the succession process, which began six years ago but had been developed by my brother and me well before that, it was clear that having four people in charge would be too much,” explains Vítor José. Choosing to move forward with only one family branch was a difficult but necessary step to secure future stability.
Today, Vítor José shares leadership with his children Vanessa and Pedro. “We felt they had the experience, maturity, knowledge and cultural background needed to take over the company,” he says.
Vanessa, who began her professional career in auditing at a multinational firm, acknowledges the symbolic weight of her current role. “To put it very simply, it’s about not ruining what has been built. Because it was well built.” For her, the main challenge lies in honouring that legacy without freezing it in time. “Companies cannot be static. They must continue to adapt to reality and, where possible, lead the way.” Striking the right balance between continuity and innovation is at the heart of the new generation’s approach.
Above all, the generational transition was a process of value transmission. “My children followed the company’s entire journey. It was always a project discussed at home, which meant the values were passed on early and carried across generations,” says Vítor José. Among these values are integrity, humility, high standards and closeness, pillars that continue to guide the company’s culture.
The case of Grupo Conceito shows that with time, preparation and trust, it is possible to ensure business continuity without losing identity.
The first episode of the videocast Family Business Talks is available here.