BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors Elects Ben Francois as New Managing Partner
Second Managing Partner in firm’s history brings more than 20 years of family business advisory and investment experience to the role
(Boston) – May 14, 2024 – BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors partner, Ben Francois has been named the second managing partner in the firm’s twelve-year history. Francois succeeds Rob Lachenauer, who co-founded the company and served as the Banyan’s leader from its inception.
Lachenauer helped build Banyan into the world’s preeminent family business advisory firm. The firm is widely recognized for its expertise in working with family ownership groups on critical issues such as generational succession and transition planning, family office purpose and governance, and helping owners understand their rights and roles in the family enterprise. An essential and enduring characteristic of Rob’s tenure was his relentless twin focus to build a highly talented team and a deeply collaborative firm culture to best serve the often emotional and complex family and ownership dynamics inherent in family-owned businesses.
Under Rob’s leadership, Banyan was recognized three times by the prestigious STEP Private Client Awards as “Family Business Advisory Practice of the Year”. Author of multiple books and articles, Lachenauer is co-author (with Josh Baron) of the Harvard Business Review Family Business Handbook, now considered the authoritative guide to help owners build and maintain a thriving family enterprise. Since its founding, the Banyan team has grown to serve more than 250 leading family-owned business in virtually every industry sector across six continents. Lachenauer will continue to serve Banyan clients full time and remain an active member of the firm’s leadership.
“A core part of our business to help clients with successful transitions, so it was fitting to apply this expertise to our own transition,” said Lachenauer. “Ben is super talented and passionate about our clients. I am delighted to see him apply his more than two decades advising family-owned businesses — and his success as a Banyan partner – to evolve the firm as the managing partner.”
Francois assumes the role of managing partner after having been with Banyan six years. Prior to joining the firm, he was a partner at Carmelina Capital, a private equity firm focused on investing in family-owned and founder-led businesses and was President of Canterbury Consulting, a multi-billion investment advisory firm serving families, foundations, and endowments. He began his career as an investment professional for a large single-family office.
Francois speaks frequently on family business topics such as family business and family office governance, next generation development, and succession planning. Additionally, he has written articles for publications such as Harvard Business Review and FFI Practitioner. He received his undergraduate degree from University of Southern California and his M.B.A. from University of Pennsylvania. He currently resides in Newport Beach, California and will manage the firm from both California and Boston.
“Our job, collectively as a firm, is to empower owners to unleash the infinite potential of their families, enterprises, and communities by helping them align on the complex decisions they face. Banyan’s continued success depends on our ability to develop extraordinary talent and create an environment where that talent can thrive. It is a privilege that the firm has entrusted me to be the next steward of Banyan’s unique culture.”
Francois continued, “I am grateful to Rob for his leadership of the firm, his mentorship of me as I prepared to take on this role, and especially that he is staying at Banyan in a full-time capacity.”
For any questions or inquiries please contact: Karen Dillon, Editorial Director, kdillon@banyan.global