Point S said it designed the Next Generation Campus to support future leaders in independent automotive businesses.
Point S International held its first Next Generation Campus in Provence, France. The three-and-a-half-day program brought together nearly 70 young professionals from nine countries. It focused on leadership development, business innovation, strategic planning and building international connections for independent automotive businesses.
Point S Next Generation Campus Addresses Leadership Gaps
Point S said it designed the Next Generation Campus to support future leaders in independent automotive businesses. The program emphasized practical leadership skills alongside long-term business strategy. Participants also worked on innovation and collaboration across borders.
The event created space for peer-to-peer learning. Young professionals shared real-world challenges tied to succession, staffing and daily operations. Point S said this approach helped participants connect strategy with real business needs.
Industry Data Highlights Succession Risks
Recent research underscores the urgency behind leadership development. Egon Zehnder reported in 2025 that only 16% of family firms have a discussed and documented succession plan. Eide Bailly found that about 70% of global family businesses lack a formal succession plan.
The automotive sector also faces workforce strain. Ennis & Co. reported the industry could face a shortage of 2.3 million skilled workers by the end of 2025. That figure could rise to 4.3 million by 2030. These trends place added pressure on independent businesses to prepare future leaders.
Participant Feedback Reflects Real-World Impact
Participants described the campus as “enlightening” and “applicable to real business operations.” Many highlighted the value of learning alongside peers facing similar leadership and succession challenges.
Lloyd Treherne, an attendee from an independent South African automotive repair centre, said: “It has been incredible to learn from Point S’s strategic vision. This campus has empowered me and has shown me that, while my business faces many challenges, the Point S network is behind us.”
Vesna Furlan Bozic, a participant from Slovenia preparing for family business succession, also stressed the importance of networking.
“My brother and I attended the campus with the goal of preparing for succession of our 1/2 family business,” Bozic said. “It was particularly eye-opening to meet other young people in the exact same position as us sharing the same concerns. We now have a long list of contacts to keep in touch with, discuss our daily challenges, and exchange perspectives.”
Point S Leadership Perspective
“The feedback we’ve received confirms that our approach has struck the perfect balance between theoretical and practical learning. We created an environment where knowledge, creativity, and connection could thrive,” said Fabien Bouquet, CEO of Point S. “Participants gained not only strategic insight but also confidence and a genuine sense of belonging.
“Against the backdrop of a global leadership crisis that threatens our industry’s future, investing in next-generation business leadership is essential. Research shows that family businesses with proper succession planning maintain 94% employee retention through leadership transitions. The collective energy and strategic thinking we witnessed at the campus is exactly what will carry this new generation of leaders, and our industry, forward.”
Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders
Point S said the Next Generation Campus prepares future family business owners and leaders for operational and succession challenges. The company designed the program to support independent automotive businesses across the aftermarket. Point S said it plans to continue investing in next-generation leadership development.
