15. INAC EMEA Regional Meeting in Lyon

International Collaboration, Close Client Relationships and Leadership Across Generations.

On 1 and 2 October 2026, INAC Global partners gathered in Lyon for the 15th EMEA Regional Meeting. For Grünewald Consulting, the meeting provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration within the international network and explore key issues facing our clients together with partners and business leaders.

The discussions focused on cross-border collaboration, new market and industry perspectives, and the future of leadership in family-owned businesses. The meeting was hosted by INAC France, represented by Quadra Consultants.

Direct Dialogue with Business Leaders

A particular focus of the meeting was the involvement of executives from client organisations. An interactive session with the CEO and Chief Human Resources Officer of SSM Group, alongside Petzl’s Head of EMEA, centred on practical business experiences and challenges.

This direct dialogue reflects our approach to consulting: listening, understanding business challenges and working together to develop appropriate solutions. The perspectives shared by these executives also provided the starting point for subsequent work on a joint, internationally coordinated service offering from the INAC network.

The programme also offered insights into the global sports, events and entertainment ecosystem, as well as the challenges and opportunities that the Chinese market presents for European companies.

  Putting Cross-Border Collaboration into Practice

How can international partners combine their expertise more effectively? This was the central question addressed by the “INAC EMEA Business Playbook”. Together with Victoria Baselga from Spain, our Managing Director, Cedric Schütz, led the session on tools, rules and practical steps for collaboration across borders.

For our clients, this coordination is particularly valuable when recruiting leaders internationally or entering new markets. Personal relationships between consultants and a shared understanding of how to work together provide a reliable foundation.

The introduction of new INAC offices and partners from Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Poland, China and Türkiye also provided an opportunity to gain insights into local markets and build further connections within the network.

Succession Takes More Than a Plan

Another key item on the agenda was a preview of the full report of INAC’s global study, “Leading Family Businesses Across Generations”. Rui Borges and Lothar Grünewald facilitated the session, which also addressed a common approach for the EMEA region.

One of the study’s findings highlights the need for action: only 11 per cent of respondents report having a fully documented succession plan for critical roles. For the remaining 89%, succession planning is therefore not yet fully documented.

However, a successful transition goes beyond a written plan. It also requires preparing the next generation of leaders, ensuring the organisation is ready for change, and passing on responsibility and trust.

These questions are also relevant to many of our clients in Germany’s Mittelstand. International exchange helps put experiences from different markets into context and offers fresh perspectives on leadership, continuity and change.

Developing Perspectives Together

For Grünewald Consulting, active collaboration within the INAC network is an important part of our international focus. The meeting in Lyon combined professional exchange with direct client dialogue and practical work to strengthen cross-border collaboration.

We would like to thank Jean-Marie Leroy, President of INAC France, the Quadra Consultants team, and all participating partners and business representatives for their hospitality and the valuable exchange of ideas.