From legacy to leadership: SPJIMR’s PGPFMB Batch 36 graduates ready to lead the future of family businesses
30 June 2026
SPJIMR’s Centre for Family Business and Entrepreneurship (CFBE) celebrated the convocation of the Post Graduate Programme in Family Managed Business (PGPFMB) Batch 36 on 30th June 2026. The ceremony marked the programme’s 42nd convocation, reflecting more than 28 years of developing future leaders for family-managed enterprises.
The convocation brought together participants, their families, faculty and mentors to celebrate the successful completion of the 18-month programme. Five participants from the batch received the Dean’s Honour List distinction for their exemplary performance.
Mr. Karnail Singh Cheema, Chairman and Managing Director, K.S. Cheema Group of Companies, presided as the Chief Guest. He joined Prof. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR, and Prof. Tulsi Jayakumar, Executive Director, Centre for Family Business and Entrepreneurship (CFBE), SPJIMR, to congratulate the participants.
In her convocation address, Prof. Jayakumar congratulated the graduating cohort and reflected on their 18-month journey. She noted that while participants were graduating with a qualification, they were also stepping forward as responsible owners and future-ready leaders equipped with the knowledge, values, and mindset to lead their family enterprises.
Prof. Jayakumar highlighted the diversity of the graduating cohort and the programme’s holistic learning experience, which extended beyond the classroom through industry-in-classroom sessions, family Fridays, Samagam, industrial visits, mentoring, and an international immersion at Esade Business School, Barcelona. She reminded the participants that lasting success is determined not only by the wealth they create, but also by the responsibility with which it is created.
Addressing the graduating cohort, Prof. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR, highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of business and leadership. He encouraged the graduating participants to embrace AI as a powerful enabler, while using it with discernment and responsibility. Emphasising that the true value of AI lies not only in the answers it generates but also in the quality of the questions leaders ask, he urged the graduates to critically evaluate AI-generated solutions rather than accept them at face value.
He shared the importance of combining technology with human judgment, ethical reasoning, and contextual understanding, reminding the cohort that while AI can enhance decision-making, the responsibility for making informed, ethical, and people-centric choices will always rest with leaders.
In his address, Mr. Karnail Singh Cheema urged the graduating participants to view leadership in family businesses as both a privilege and a responsibility. He encouraged them to honour the legacy created by previous generations while embracing innovation, adaptability, and purpose to build businesses that deliver long-term value. Emphasising that every generation inherits not only a business but also the trust of those who built it, he called on graduates to become thoughtful custodians of their family enterprises.
He also underscored the importance of developing effective conflict management skills, noting that the ability to navigate disagreements constructively is essential for preserving relationships and ensuring the long-term success of family businesses. He emphasised that successful leaders balance entrepreneurial ambition with integrity, empathy, and a long-term perspective, while creating value for employees, customers, communities, and society.
As the graduates received their certificates, they officially joined SPJIMR’s global alumni community. The convocation marked not just the completion of an academic programme, but the beginning of a lifelong association with the institution. Equipped with new perspectives, stronger networks, and a deep sense of responsibility, the graduates of PGPFMB Batch 36 are now ready to lead their family enterprises with purpose, integrity, and impact.