How do Germany’s largest family-owned businesses perform? The results of our benchmark

Media portfolio: Voluntary disclosure as a reflection of a company’s communication strategy

Many companies in this peer group are currently under no obligation to publish an annual report or to produce CSRD-compliant sustainability reporting. What they publish is a voluntary decision – and thus a direct reflection of their approach to communication.

 

47% publish annual reports and sustainability reports separately, 30% publish only a sustainability report, 17% publish an integrated report – and 7% publish only an annual report. One in three companies does not publish an annual report at all.

Sustainability reports: High volume, varying levels of maturity

93% of the companies surveyed publish a sustainability report – 77% of these as a separate publication. The length varies considerably: between 14 and 144 pages, with a median of 72 pages.

 

39% of reports use storytelling on ESG topics – in 61% it is entirely absent. Furthermore, 39% already refer to the ESRS, which will become mandatory for them from 2028. An indicator of preparedness – but no guarantee.

Strengths and weaknesses at a glance

The strength of this peer group is obvious: an authentic owner narrative that only family businesses can credibly convey – with a long-term perspective as a source of credibility and a bold stylistic vision that manifests itself in essays, reports and biographies.

 

The weaknesses are equally clear: brand communication is often haphazard rather than strategic. Many fail to distinguish between brand-building and corporate compliance. And target group differentiation is rarely explicitly visible.

Outlook: The CSRD as a turning point – and an opportunity

From 2028, the CSRD will become mandatory for the financial year 2027 for the companies surveyed. The key question is: will family businesses manage to preserve their authentic ownership narrative – whilst at the same time reporting in line with the CSRD? Or will storytelling become a secondary concern?

 

Those who establish clear structures now can combine both – compliance and credibility.

Where we provide specific support to family businesses

For companies wishing to review their reporting status in a structured manner and develop it further in a targeted way, we offer a modular workshop programme. Three modules are particularly relevant in the context of the benchmark results.

 

Module 1, “Stocktake & Benchmark”, is the starting point: we review your latest report, benchmark it against your peer group and identify specific areas for action. The module can be booked as a standalone session or as a kick-off for further workshop steps.

 

Module 2, “Regulatory & Compliance Radar”, goes one step further. We analyse your materiality analysis, develop proposals for the reporting structure and show you how to report effectively whilst balancing CSRD requirements and communication objectives. Module 2 can only be booked in combination with Module 1. 

 

Module 6 "Initial CSRD Implementation" is aimed at companies undertaking ESRS reporting for the first time. We provide the necessary regulatory knowledge, draw up a project plan and clarify responsibilities and data collection. 

Arrange a no-obligation initial consultation now to find out which module best suits your current needs.