Family business up close

Promoting quality journalism and building trust is the aim of regular meetings between the foundation and German journalism schools. Last Monday, it visited the @‌Cologne School of Journalism again. This was the foundation’s twelfth time entering a dialogue with journalism students in their sixth semester there.

Managing Director Stefan Heidbreder and Head of Communications Cornelia Knust explained the importance of family businesses for society to the participants. The difficult conditions in Germany as a location for business were also a topic of discussion.

Journalist Dr Ursula Weidenfeld led the subsequent interview training, during which family business owner Tessa Bertram, Chairwoman of the Advisory Board of @‌Gebr. Kemper GmbH + Co. KG, Olpe, answered the young people’s questions – from the energy crisis and succession to distributive justice.

The Foundation for Family Businesses is also involved in training journalists in order to learn something new itself. It has an open ear for critical questions and for young people’s views on the economy. It visits family businesses with them, invites interview partners from among the shareholders or brings in experts from our own ranks to discuss controversial topics, such as inheritance tax.