The Manuel Peláez Castillo Chair in Family Business at the University of Alicante concluded its nineteenth edition with a formal awards ceremony honoring the participating students. A total of 25 students—both male and female—took part in the program, which merges academic study with real-world exposure to family-owned enterprises.
The program is promoted by the Association of Family Businesses (AEFA) in the province of Alicante and enjoys support from the IEF and the Manuel Peláez Castillo Foundation. Students receive instruction in family business governance, asset management, the creation and maintenance of family protocols, business succession planning, management of intangible assets, corporate social responsibility, and related topics that shape the modern family enterprise landscape.
At the closing ceremony, AEFA President Maite Antón, Vicente Sabater, President of the UA Family Business, and Javier Peláez, vice president of the Manuel Peláez Foundation, spoke to the attendees. The edition featured the involvement of 30 collaborators, including entrepreneurs, family business professionals, managers, and university professors, and saw participation from 21 companies that contributed to the initiative.
As part of the specialist course, participants had the opportunity to visit several family businesses within the province of Alicante. Visits included Chocolates Valor, Verne Technology Group, Giossepo, and El Lobo, providing first-hand insight into daily operations and governance in family enterprises.
Speaking on behalf of AEFA, the organization’s president congratulated the students on their achievements and highlighted the essential role family businesses play in the local economy. The president noted that family firms account for a substantial portion of Alicante’s productive sector, underscoring their strategic importance within the region’s value chain. This perspective reinforces why such programs are valued by both the academic community and the regional business community.
The president emphasized that a large share of private employment is generated by family businesses, making it likely that many graduates will eventually contribute to or lead a family enterprise. This reinforces the importance of understanding family dynamics, governance, and the broader business environment to contribute effectively and foster innovation within these firms.
UA President Vicente Sabater underscored that the event centers on the students and on the enduring impact of the Chair and its activities. He noted that the call for the course drew participation from students across the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Law, illustrating cross-disciplinary engagement and the broad appeal of family business studies.
Meanwhile, the vice president of the Manuel Peláez Foundation described the Chair as a clear demonstration of the value that collaboration between academia and industry brings. The initiative is presented as a holistic, 360-degree perspective on family business, aligning educational goals with real-world practice. The Manuel Peláez Castillo Foundation has long supported this program in partnership with AEFA, reinforcing a sustained commitment to educating the next generation of family enterprise leaders.