Chris Graves

Associate Professor Chris Graves is an academic at the University of Adelaide Business School within the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics. Specializing in family business, he directs the Family Business Education and Research Group (FBERG). His academic qualifications include a Bachelors in Accountancy, a Masters in Economics, and a PhD from the University of Adelaide. Graves holds an Associate Professor/Reader position and has served on the University Council’s Audit, Compliance and Risk sub-committee since 2014.

His research focuses on family SME internationalization, governance mechanisms, and socioemotional wealth. Key contributions include the 2006 FFI-awarded PhD on barriers to international growth in family firms, and leadership in KPMG’s National Family Business Surveys (2013, 2015, 2017). He also developed the NextGen eChallenge program to train family business successors.

• Education: B.Acc. (South Australian Institute of Technology), M.Econ. (University of New England), PhD (University of Adelaide)
• Research Interests: Family Enterprise Governance, International Expansion, Succession Planning
• Awards: FFI International Award (2006)

Graves has secured grants totaling over $135,000 including a 2020 UWA COVD-19 study and a 2019 South Australian Family Office Research Project. He teaches in family business, small business management, and governance. Professional roles include 4-year service on the International Family Enterprise Research Academy board.

His work emphasizes bridging academic research with practical tools for family firms, including leadership development programs like ‘Catalyst’ and estate planning frameworks. Collaborations with Family Business Australia and KPMG highlight his industry engagement.