Lineage Group works exclusively with business families, founders and family offices.
From business and family strategy to governance, succession, and day-to-day operations, we partner with families at every stage of their journey.
Whether navigating a liquidity event, planning for generational change, or professionalising a growing enterprise, we tailor our approach to meet each family’s unique needs.
Here are a few stories of families and founders we've worked with — each one on their own path to clarity, structure, and long-term success.
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Family Office: Separating Operating Business, Family Office and Governance Structures
For years, the Owens* family built their name in property development—starting with hands-on construction and growing into a thriving business with a growing investment portfolio. As their success grew, so did the complexity of managing both their operating business and an emerging Family Office. When the second generation began stepping into day-to-day leadership, the family faced an important inflection point.
They turned to Lineage to help bring clarity, structure, and vision to this transition.
Through a series of candid conversations with both generations, Lineage uncovered each family member’s aspirations—personal, professional, and collective. These insights laid the foundation for a refreshed business strategy for the next five years, and a clearly articulated purpose for the Family Office: to support long-term wealth stewardship and individual opportunity.
To make this vision real, Lineage helped establish formal governance structures: a family council, a shareholders’ board, an advisory board, and an investment committee—each with defined roles and independent perspectives. Lineage initially chaired these forums, gradually mentoring family members to take on leadership within 12–24 months.
Today, the Owens family operates with renewed clarity and confidence. Their Family Office stands as a distinct, purpose-driven platform—separate from the business yet deeply aligned with the family’s legacy and future.
*Name changed for privacy.
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Business Family: Aligning vision and structure through strategic planning
The Harris* family’s industrial manufacturing business had weathered many storms. But economic volatility was now testing more than the bottom line — it was affecting family well-being and future plans.
Wanting to shift from reactive operations to long-term clarity, they engaged Lineage to help realign their purpose, vision, and relationship with the business. Through deep engagement with shareholders and executives, Lineage helped them chart their 3-, 7-, and 10-year goals, both financial and cultural.
The result: a strategy that guided brand, markets, family roles, and profit goals — all firmly grounded in shareholder alignment.
Lineage also modernised governance and succession structures, formed new asset-holding entities, and advised on capital allocation. With refreshed boards and a new investment strategy, the family positioned themselves for resilience and future growth.
The Harris family now operates not just with a better business — but with stronger unity and wellbeing.
*Name changed for privacy.
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Founder: The Evolution of Leadership in a Family-Owned food and beverage Business
For decades, the Bennett* family built one of Australia’s leading wine and logistics businesses, led by a visionary founder. But as the business grew, so did tension: the founder remained heavily involved, while the next generation struggled to find their place.
Lineage stepped in to help guide a new chapter. By working closely with both the founder and the family, they acknowledged the emotional dynamics and practical needs at play. Lineage helped define the founder's new role, prepared for the retirement of key advisors, and charted a plan for professional leadership.
Alongside this, Lineage clarified ownership and governance, placing G2 in defined board roles. A new Family Office was established, and the family’s relationship with the business was reframed.
With succession planning, capital strategies and formal family forums in place, the Bennetts moved from internal friction to focused direction.
*Name changed for privacy.
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Family Office: Re-strategising the Family Office for a new direction
When the Taylor* family sold their long-standing retail business, it marked both a milestone and a moment of uncertainty. With the operating business gone, they were left with a growing Family Office and a new question: What now?
The transition from business operators to full-time wealth stewards required more than just financial decisions — it required reimagining the Family Office's purpose. Lineage began by speaking with both second and third-generation family members, surfacing their individual priorities and future hopes.
From these conversations emerged a shared vision for the next five years. Together, they clarified what they wanted their wealth to stand for, financially and beyond. Lineage provided guidance on solving long-term liquidity challenges and balancing generational needs.
To bring structure to this new era, Lineage drafted key documents, including a Family Constitution and an Investment Policy Statement. They also redesigned the family's meetings, creating distinct spaces for advisory discussions and family-focused conversations.
The Taylor family have moved from adjusting to life after business, to shaping a future with clarity, collaboration, and confidence.
*Name changed for privacy.
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Business Family: Strategic transformation of a multi-generational agri-business family
The Williams* family, with a background in agriculture, found themselves with new capital but no roadmap. Following the sale of their original business, they wanted to professionalise their newly formed agri-business, engage the next generation, and protect their family wealth.
Lineage began by listening across generations — identifying where values met vision. Together, they set family-wide goals, clarified the agri-business strategy, and mapped out the family's desired role with their wealth.
They then built robust structures: holding entities, clear succession plans, and tailored governance frameworks. New councils and boards gave G2 space to lead, while an independent advisor guided investment strategy. Estate and tax plans were updated to reflect the new reality.
Lineage also worked directly with the business leadership to implement reporting systems and decision frameworks.
Today, the Williams family isn't just running a business — they're building a legacy.
*Name changed for privacy.
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Founder: From Founder reliance to structured success
When David*, a pioneering founder in funds management and property development, began confronting health challenges, it exposed deeper business vulnerabilities. The company, though thriving, was heavily reliant on him. There was no formal succession plan, and governance frameworks were either weak or non-existent. The risk to the business, the family, and investors was clear.
Lineage recognised the urgency and worked closely with David to uncover his goals, concerns, and vision for the future. They helped him formalise the business without adding bureaucracy — implementing leadership succession, strategic planning, and estate structures. Key among these steps was the recruitment of CEOs for both the business and the newly created Family Office.
They also established an advisory board for the business and shareholder, family, and investment governance bodies for the family. Tax planning, capital preservation strategies, and financial models were implemented to ensure the Family Office would operate seamlessly. Importantly, Lineage also built long-term incentive plans (LTIPs) and led the search for an independent advisory board chair.
With every moving part aligned — from operations to ownership — David transitioned from being the linchpin to being the legacy architect. His business is no longer just founder-led: it is structured, stable, and ready for the future.
*Name changed for privacy.