UCO and CECO present a chair on family business in Córdoba
The Universidad de Córdoba and the Confederación de Empresarios de Córdoba have launched the Cátedra CECO de Empresa Familiar, focused on training, research and knowledge transfer regarding generational succession and the economic reality of the province.
Redacción · Published on September 17, 2026
The Universidad de Córdoba (UCO) and the Confederación de Empresarios de Córdoba (CECO) presented on Tuesday, September 15, the Cátedra CECO de Empresa Familiar, a space for collaboration between the university and the business community that will promote specialized training, applied research and knowledge transfer regarding family business, according to the statement issued by the UCO.
The event was held in the Sala Mudéjar of the Rectorado and featured speeches by the rector of the UCO, Manuel Torralbo Rodríguez; the president of CECO, Antonio Díaz Córdoba; the vice-rector for Transfer, Continuing Education and Entrepreneurship, Sergio Castro García; and the vice-president of CECO, Francisco Torrent Cruz.
The initiative revives a previous collaboration between both entities, with a precedent in the Cátedra PRASA de Empresa Familiar, created in the year 2000 with the participation of the Fundación PRASA, CECO and the UCO.
The rector, Manuel Torralbo, noted that the new chair "gathers an experience and a relationship built over years between the University and the business community of Córdoba" and that the challenge is to update that work to address issues such as generational succession, professionalization, financing or the growth of family businesses.
The president of CECO, Antonio Díaz Córdoba, pointed out that, along with generational succession, another major challenge is the size of family businesses, which in his opinion sometimes do not grow "out of fear," when growing can mean greater solidity, more investment in innovation, the ability to attract talent and to compete under better conditions.
Training, research and transfer
The director of the chair, José Manuel Serrano Cañas, presented the project's lines of action. In terms of training, university courses and microcredentials are planned for entrepreneurs, members of business families, professionals and students, on subjects such as management accounting, financing and risk management, family business taxation, regulatory compliance, corporate law and generational succession.
Applied research will address generational succession, corporate governance, financing, taxation, professionalization, corporate conflicts, sustainability and the incorporation of new generations. The chair will also promote conferences, seminars and a congress on family business.
Provincial scope
The project includes activities not only in the city of Córdoba, but also in municipalities and districts throughout the province, in collaboration with business organizations and local entities, with special attention to rural and agri-food areas due to the connection of numerous family businesses with agriculture, livestock farming and the agro-industry.
The presentation program also included a panel with exporting family businesses, featuring Aceitunas Torrent, SP Group, Coto Suministros, Grupo Empresarial Santamaría and Daplast, sharing experiences of growth and internationalization.
The event was held in the Sala Mudéjar of the Rectorado and featured speeches by the rector of the UCO, Manuel Torralbo Rodríguez; the president of CECO, Antonio Díaz Córdoba; the vice-rector for Transfer, Continuing Education and Entrepreneurship, Sergio Castro García; and the vice-president of CECO, Francisco Torrent Cruz.
The initiative revives a previous collaboration between both entities, with a precedent in the Cátedra PRASA de Empresa Familiar, created in the year 2000 with the participation of the Fundación PRASA, CECO and the UCO.
The rector, Manuel Torralbo, noted that the new chair "gathers an experience and a relationship built over years between the University and the business community of Córdoba" and that the challenge is to update that work to address issues such as generational succession, professionalization, financing or the growth of family businesses.
The president of CECO, Antonio Díaz Córdoba, pointed out that, along with generational succession, another major challenge is the size of family businesses, which in his opinion sometimes do not grow "out of fear," when growing can mean greater solidity, more investment in innovation, the ability to attract talent and to compete under better conditions.
Training, research and transfer
The director of the chair, José Manuel Serrano Cañas, presented the project's lines of action. In terms of training, university courses and microcredentials are planned for entrepreneurs, members of business families, professionals and students, on subjects such as management accounting, financing and risk management, family business taxation, regulatory compliance, corporate law and generational succession.
Applied research will address generational succession, corporate governance, financing, taxation, professionalization, corporate conflicts, sustainability and the incorporation of new generations. The chair will also promote conferences, seminars and a congress on family business.
Provincial scope
The project includes activities not only in the city of Córdoba, but also in municipalities and districts throughout the province, in collaboration with business organizations and local entities, with special attention to rural and agri-food areas due to the connection of numerous family businesses with agriculture, livestock farming and the agro-industry.
The presentation program also included a panel with exporting family businesses, featuring Aceitunas Torrent, SP Group, Coto Suministros, Grupo Empresarial Santamaría and Daplast, sharing experiences of growth and internationalization.