The fifth episode of the Family Business Talks videocast, an initiative integrated into the Mastering Family Businesses course within the undergraduate programs at CATÓLICA-LISBON, featured Francisco Miguel Banha, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Board Member of Grupo Gesbanha. Founded in 1986, this Portuguese family-owned business operates in the fields of management and consulting, fundraising, corporate finance, entrepreneurship, and education.
During the conversation, Francisco Miguel Banha shared insights about his professional journey, his return to the family business, leadership challenges, and the importance of nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset within organizations.
Francisco Miguel Banha began working in the family business while still studying at CATÓLICA-LISBON, where he completed both his undergraduate and master’s degrees. After finishing his studies, he chose to build his career outside the family business, gaining eight years of experience in strategic consulting with multinational firms such as Deloitte and KPMG. At the same time, he deepened his commitment to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the promotion of education.
His return to Grupo Gesbanha in 2019 was a strategic decision. “I equipped myself with the best market practices”, he stated, highlighting the importance of applying that knowledge within the family business. The transition was guided by a clear sense of mission and merit, not by automatic succession. He rejoined the company as Director of Operations, focusing on improving internal processes, and gradually took on greater responsibilities. In 2023, he joined the Board of Directors, a progression that reflects the recognition of his demonstrated competencies.
In the episode, he also emphasized the importance of aligning family values with business objectives: “No family value should outweigh the need to solve a client’s problem”. According to the COO, this clarity is essential to ensuring internal cohesion and long-term sustainability.
Intrapreneurship, a cornerstone of Grupo Gesbanha’s culture, was also discussed. The organization encourages employees to innovate and lead new business areas, such as Gesventure and Geslearning, promoting shareholder participation models for professionals with an entrepreneurial profile.
To conclude, he shared a message for young professionals entering the job market: “There are average professionals everywhere. Excellent professionals also exist, but they are rarer”, encouraging them to adopt a proactive attitude and to develop a strategic mindset early in their careers, reinforcing that excellence is a continuous and intentional choice.
The fifth episode of Family Business Talks is now available on CATÓLICA-LISBON’s YouTube channel.