Our History

The Center's milestones from its beginnings in 2005 to the approval of its organization and its financial and administrative independence in 2025.

1. 2025

   Organization and independence

   Reflecting the leadership's recognition of the weight of the family business sector and its role in development, a Royal Order approved the Center's organization and granted it financial and administrative independence. The year marked the Center's move from its founding stage to “expanding impact”: more than 166 mediations, 20 training programs, more than 78 events in 27 cities, 25 partnerships including 16 agreements with chambers of commerce, the launch of the Certified Family Business Advisor and Certified Family Business Mediator programs, and the founding of the Center's endowment with its first board of trustees.

2. 2024

   Organizational arrangements

   The Center's proposed organizational arrangements, based on its strategy, the local context and global best practice, were prepared and submitted to the relevant authorities, so that the Center could work under clear governance that defines its goals and remit and makes its work sustainable.

3. 2023

   Strategy launched

   Early in the year the Center launched its strategy, aimed at building an integrated ecosystem that sustains family businesses and strengthens their contribution to national development, in line with the goal of raising the private sector's share of GDP from 40% to 65% by 2030.

4. 2022

   Flagship initiatives

   As a non-profit body, the Center launched many flagship initiatives aimed at building an integrated ecosystem that supports the sustainability of family businesses.

5. 2019

   Move to Riyadh

   The Center moved to Riyadh to strengthen its reach to family businesses across the Kingdom, achieving many notable milestones.

6. 2018

   Launch in Jeddah

   At the end of the year the Center was launched at the Jeddah Chamber in the presence of the Minister of Commerce, Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi, the late Sheikh Saleh Kamel, the Center's Chair, Dr. Ghassan Al-Sulaiman, and members of the board.

7. 2012

   Royal Order to reopen

   Royal Order No. 49691 of 15 Dhu al-Qa'dah 1433 AH directed the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in coordination with the Council of Saudi Chambers, to reopen and support the Center, set up its funding, and open a branch in every chamber of commerce.

8. 2005

   Beginnings

   The Center began when the private and public sectors recognized the need to do more to protect family businesses from collapse, but its activities stopped due to several challenges, including the lack of premises.