You are invited to join Vistage members for our next speaker session, led by Rob Quinn and Cam McMillan on “Creating Succession”
Creating Succession
Why do we need to talk about this? Why now?
The statistics of private businesses in Australia that are in some form of succession are startling – almost 1 in 2 private businesses are either in what we call the Succession Window or necessarily will enter into it in the next 5 – 7 years. This is certainly true of several members of this Vistage CE group. In these two groups alone two significant sale events completed in December 2025 (one by our host for today) is just a foretaste of the next few years.
The preparedness of these businesses, even within Vistage groups, for what is typically an inevitable event, is often poor. Understanding of the issues benefits both the member directly and to help their peers in navigating the steps to a successful transition.
Our speakers today would argue that business leaders, whilst recognising the issue is there, typically consider it something to be dealt with “next year”; until they have to deal with it, often at a time where they are least prepared for it (and due to factors unforeseen factors - e.g. industry or economic change, financial, health (physical and otherwise), reputation, relationships etc).
The session will cover
We will start with a clear understanding of the broad issues involved in succession. We will discuss what great succession planning looks like and where to start to make a tangible and valuable difference. Each attendee will be able to reflect on their own situation and that of their peer group colleagues.
We will cover Success(ion) readiness using an analytical tool based on 10 interwoven factors, and links to our Success(ion) Board which includes issues such as the Transition Window, value gap assessment and strategies, transition approach, owner mindset leading to owner contributions and impediments to their success at each stage.
Several of the key issues considered are non-financial, which typically do not get the attention required to optimise a sale. It is a hands on pragmatic process, in which participants will be able to articulate their action plan and potential strategies to move forward.
Takeaways:
Participants will leave with:
clarity on how they are positioned in terms of readiness for a succession event and
a framework for their succession journey.
These two pieces of information will lead to the identification of gaps (and everyone will have them!) This could include:
Post-sale financial positioning,
a greater understanding of the true likely value of their business as presently is and
developing a plan to reduce reliance on them
consideration of the various different transition approaches.
Our Speakers - Creating Succession
Founded by Cameron McMillan and Robert Quinn, Creating Succession works collaboratively with owners of successful private businesses to prepare themselves and their businesses for succession and to divest their business interests in a manner of their choosing to optimise value and their transition experience.
Rob Quinn - Partner - Creating Succession
Following a successful career in investment and commercial banking in Australia and the UK, Rob founded a leadership consulting practice in 2004 that continues to design, deliver and facilitate leadership programs around Australia, embedding behavioural change in senior executives and leaders. Rob is driven by business and community leaders being the best they possibly can be and has expanded his business offerings across executive recruitment.
Rob holds a Masters of Finance and Sloan Fellowship from the London Business School and is a graduate member of AICD.
Cam McMillan - Partner - Creating Succession
After 20+ years' experience in the professional services and banking sectors, latterly as a Division Director at Macquarie Bank, where he supported hundreds of private businesses to grow value and their owners to capitalise upon their investments, Cam has been a business advisor since 2017, focused upon supporting select owners of substantial private businesses to enhance business value via pragmatic advice and practical execution support.
Cam is a Chartered Accountant and Expert Mindshop facilitator.
Vistage members are high-integrity business leaders from a diverse range of industries who meet monthly to support each other and address the challenges of leading in these increasingly uncertain times.
The speaker session is the first part of a monthly all-day meeting and is attended by between 14 and 16 people. During the afternoon, Vistage members continue with their Executive Session. Our speakers are subject experts focused on stimulating active discussion with the group.
Attendance at Vistage meetings is for business leaders only and by invitation and subject to space availability, for this event we welcome Guests who are CEOs or Business Leaders. Please click here and register your interest.