Author: Vanessa Barrett

Forvis Mazars strengthens commitment to family businesses through FBUK partnership

Posted on by Vanessa Barrett

Family Business UK (FBUK) is delighted to welcome Forvis Mazars as the latest organisation to join its Corporate Partner programme.

Forvis Mazars is a leading international professional services firm, supporting businesses, entrepreneurs, families and private clients across the UK and around the world. With deep experience advising family-owned businesses at every stage of their journey, the firm brings specialist expertise alongside a genuine understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges faced by family enterprises.

Spanning across 14 offices in the UK and over 100 countries globally, Forvis Mazars works with family businesses of all sizes, from entrepreneurial founder-led companies to multi-generational enterprises navigating questions of succession, governance, growth and wealth preservation. The firm provides integrated support across financial planning, tax, audit, accounting, valuation, corporate finance, risk management and consulting, helping business owners make informed decisions for the future. By bringing together specialists from across a wide range of disciplines, Forvis Mazars helps families genuinely balance the needs of the business with the aspirations of the individuals behind it.

Natalie Wright, UK Head of Family Business at Forvis Mazars, said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with Family Business UK and supporting its members across the country. Family businesses make an extraordinary contribution to the UK economy, creating jobs, driving innovation and investing in their communities for generations rather than business cycles.

What sets family businesses apart is often their long-term perspective. They are focused on stewardship as much as ownership, balancing today’s decisions with a responsibility to future generations. As a partnership, that mindset strongly resonates with us at Forvis Mazars.

We support family businesses through some of the most important decisions they will make, whether that is planning for succession, preparing the next generation for leadership, understanding the value of the business, managing growth or preserving family wealth. These decisions are rarely just commercial; they often involve balancing the needs of the business, the family and future generations, while preserving the values and legacy that have shaped the business over time. By combining deep technical expertise with a personalised approach, we help clients prepare for what’s next, make informed decisions with confidence and provide an unmatched client experience tailored to their unique circumstances.

Our partnership with FBUK reflects our long-standing commitment to family businesses and our belief in the vital role they play in building a resilient and prosperous UK economy. We look forward to sharing our experience, supporting members and helping more families make informed decisions with confidence as they plan for the future.”

This partnership further strengthens FBUK’s network of trusted advisers and reinforces a shared commitment to helping family businesses thrive across generations.

Contact

Natalie Wright
Office Managing Partner, Leeds & UK Head of Family Business
+44 (0)113 394 5327
natalie.wright@mazars.co.uk

Jamie Rhodes
Tax Advisory Director
+44 (0)113 394 2078
jamie.rhodes@mazars.co.uk

Business groups unite behind FBUK call to reverse BPR changes

Posted on by Vanessa Barrett

Family Business UK has brought together leading business organisations representing more than 200,000 businesses to call on the Chancellor to reverse the changes to Business Property Relief at the Autumn Budget.

In an open letter to the Chancellor, organisations representing businesses across hospitality, retail, construction, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing and the rural economy have united behind our call to restore 100% BPR for qualifying family businesses.

The intervention comes as attention increasingly turns towards the Autumn Budget and the decisions the new Chancellor will take to support investment and growth.

Despite the Government’s decision to increase the 100% relief allowance to £2.5 million per estate, the fundamental problems with the policy remain. Family businesses continue to tell us that the changes are affecting investment, recruitment and long-term succession planning.

Our message to the Chancellor is clear: the Budget provides an opportunity to think again.

A united voice from across British business

The open letter brings together organisations including UKHospitality, the Country Land and Business Association, Build UK, the British Independent Retailers Association, Builders Merchants Federation, Historic Houses, the Holiday and Residential Parks Association, British Home Enhancement Trade Association, Agricultural Industries Confederation, Retail NI, Craft Bakers Association, Trade Association Forum and the Road Haulage Association.

Together, the signatories represent more than 200,000 businesses across the UK.

The breadth of organisations supporting the letter demonstrates that concern over the BPR changes extends far beyond any one sector. Businesses across the economy are warning that the reforms risk diverting money away from investment and jobs, disrupting succession and making long-established British businesses more vulnerable to sale.

As the Autumn Budget approaches, this collective voice strengthens the case we continue to make to Ministers, MPs and officials: family businesses should be encouraged to invest for the long term, not penalised for passing successful businesses from one generation to the next.

Read the open letter to the Chancellor here.

The case for change

The evidence of the economic consequences continues to grow.

Research commissioned by Family Business UK found that the originally proposed reforms could put 208,500 jobs at risk, reduce economic activity by £14.86 billion and result in a £1.87 billion net fiscal loss by the end of the current Parliament.

The case for change has been further strengthened by recent research from Make UK, highlighting the damaging impact the inheritance tax reforms are already having on family-owned manufacturers.

This reflects what we continue to hear directly from FBUK members about decisions being taken now as a consequence of the changes – from investment being delayed or cancelled to recruitment plans being reconsidered and succession strategies being revisited.

Neil Davy, Chief Executive of Family Business UK, said:

“The Chancellor has a choice in his first Budget: make it harder for British family businesses to invest, employ and pass their businesses on to the next generation by sticking with his predecessor’s reforms, or give them the confidence to get on with building the economy.

“The next Budget is an opportunity to reset the relationship between Government and family businesses. Reversing these changes would send a powerful message that Britain wants businesses to stay here, invest here and grow here – not become forced-sale opportunities for overseas buyers.”

Keeping up the pressure ahead of the Budget

Restoring 100% Business Property Relief remains a central priority for Family Business UK and is at the heart of our submission to the Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Budget.

Over the coming weeks, we will continue making that case across Government and Parliament, alongside our members and the wider coalition of business organisations supporting this campaign.

The Government has already demonstrated that it is prepared to reconsider elements of the policy. Our message now is that it should go further.

The Chancellor’s first Budget is an opportunity to provide family businesses with the certainty and confidence they need to invest, employ and grow for generations to come.

Major New Report Warns IHT Reforms Could Undermine Family Business Growth

Posted on by Vanessa Barrett

“This research adds to a growing body of evidence showing that changes to Business Property Relief are having real-world consequences for family-owned businesses and the wider economy.”

“Family Business UK has consistently warned that these reforms risk undermining the very businesses that drive long-term investment, create skilled jobs and sustain local economies. It is particularly concerning to see so many family-owned manufacturers reporting that succession plans are being disrupted and that investment decisions are being delayed as a result.”

“Manufacturing is a sector built on long-term thinking. Family-owned manufacturers invest across generations, not electoral cycles, and their contribution to Britain’s economic resilience, industrial capability and regional prosperity cannot be easily replaced.”

“The finding that some business owners are considering selling, including to overseas buyers, should give policymakers pause for thought. At a time when the Government is rightly focused on economic growth, reindustrialisation and strengthening UK supply chains, we should be creating the conditions for family businesses to invest and pass ownership successfully to the next generation, not making that transition harder.”

“We urge Ministers to listen carefully to the concerns being raised by manufacturers and review the proposed reforms to Business Property Relief before more damage is done. Family businesses want to invest, grow and contribute to the UK’s future success. Government policy should support those ambitions, not stand in their way.”

Chancellor’s Growth Push Must Put Family Businesses at the Heart of the Agenda

Posted on by Vanessa Barrett

“The Chancellor is right to put economic growth at the heart of the Government’s agenda. The challenge now is to turn ambition into action and, with the Autumn Budget approaching, the test will be whether Government policies genuinely encourage businesses to invest, expand and create jobs.”

“In our recent engagement with the Prime Minister and Business Secretary, we have made clear that one of the most effective ways to unlock growth is to back Britain’s five million family businesses. Together, they employ almost 16 million people and are embedded in communities across every part of the country.”

“The Budget should provide the certainty and confidence that family businesses need to invest for the long term. That means creating a stable environment for growth and rethinking policies that are already having the opposite effect.”

“The recent changes to Business Property Relief are a clear example. Family businesses are telling us that these reforms are disrupting succession planning and causing investment decisions to be delayed or scaled back. Capital that could be used to improve productivity, expand operations and support jobs is instead being reserved to meet future tax liabilities.”

“Family businesses stand ready to play their full part in delivering growth. The Government must now create the conditions that enable them to do exactly that.”

Renewed confidence offers a chance to unlock family business growth

Posted on by Vanessa Barrett

The latest Family Business Pulse shows renewed optimism across the family business community, with growing confidence in the economy and plans to create jobs.

Almost two-thirds (63%) of family businesses now expect the UK economy to grow over the next 12 months, up from 48% three months ago. Confidence in businesses’ own prospects has also risen from 84% to 87%.

This renewed optimism – a possible “Burnham Bounce” following the recent change in political leadership – has lifted the overall Family Business Pulse score from 60 to 63 out of 100.

There are encouraging signs for employment too. More than half of family businesses (55%) expect to increase their workforce over the coming year, up from 41% in the previous quarter.

However, most are planning only modest expansions. Businesses continue to face barriers including rising employment costs, high-wage expectations, skills shortages and uncertainty about future demand.

Investment is still being held back

Despite stronger confidence, the impact of changes to Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR) continues to grow.

More than half of family businesses (58%) now report being negatively affected by the BPR changes, rising to 65% among medium-sized firms. Almost a quarter (24%) have paused or cancelled investment projects over the past year, up from 15% in the previous quarter.

For family businesses, uncertainty over succession can directly affect decisions about recruitment, premises, and long-term investment.

Looking ahead, inheritance tax reform and business rates reform were jointly identified as the policy changes most likely to support growth, followed closely by a reduction in Employer National Insurance Contributions.

The findings provide a clear message ahead of the Autumn Budget: family businesses are ready to invest and create jobs, but they need a stable and supportive policy environment.

Restoring full BPR and APR would help convert renewed confidence into investment, employment and sustainable growth across the UK.

Explore the findings and read the full Family Business Pulse report.

Treasury to call time on uncertainty for pubs and hotels

Posted on by Vanessa Barrett

The Government has announced an independent review into how pubs and hotels are valued for business rates, a move welcomed by Family Business UK as a positive step towards creating a fairer system for businesses operating in these sectors.

‘We welcome this review as a positive step forward for pubs and hotels, many of which are family-owned businesses rooted in their communities and were not fully supported by previous changes to the business rates system.

However, while targeted support for sectors facing particular pressures is welcome, the wider business rates system still needs fundamental reform. Family-run, bricks-and-mortar businesses continue to shoulder a disproportionate burden, meaning that the very businesses that invest for the long term in our high streets and communities, are often penalised.

As we set out in our Policy Agenda, family businesses want to see a fairer and more progressive approach to business rates that better reflects businesses’ ability to pay and reduces the disproportionate burden on physical premises.

We look forward to working with the Government through this review and its wider reforms to create a fairer business rates system that encourages growth and investment and supports family businesses to continue investing in the places and communities they call home.’ – Fiona Graham, Chief Operating Officer at Family Business UK.

Handelsbanken becomes latest FBUK Corporate Partner

Posted on by Vanessa Barrett

Handelsbanken becomes latest FBUK Corporate Partner

Family Business UK (FBUK) is delighted to announce that local relationship bank Handelsbanken has become the latest organisation to join their Corporate Partnership programme.

Handelsbanken has been operating in the UK since the 1980s and today supports local businesses and individuals, right across the country, with their banking and wealth management requirements.

Established in Stockholm in 1871, it is one of the country’s leading banks with a nationwide branch network. The Bank’s home markets are Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and the UK. It also has operations in Luxembourg and the USA.

Handelsbanken is known for its strong emphasis on customer satisfaction, its financial strength and stability, and its relationship banking ethos. With a network of branches from Truro to Inverness, the bank’s fully-decentralised model means individual colleagues in each branch are empowered to make the vast majority of banking decisions. Customers speak to someone they know personally, and who fully understands their business, its financial needs and the local economy and environment.

FBUK has established partnerships with carefully selected and highly respected organisations that provide compelling professional services to family businesses.

In welcoming Handelsbanken to the FBUK Corporate Partner network, Neil Davy, CEO FBUK said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Handelsbanken to FBUK as part of our growing community of Corporate Partners.

“Handelsbanken are an organisation that places values at the heart of their relationship banking model, priding themselves in putting the interests of their customers front and centre of their operation.

“Their values-led approach makes them an ideal fit to support our Members, whose model of business ownership takes a long-term view to people place and business.”

Chris Teasdale, Chief Branch Officer, Handelsbanken, said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with Family Business UK. Handelsbanken is driven by a strong set of core values, with which FBUK clearly aligns. At Handelsbanken, all our customers do their banking with someone they know, and who takes the time to really understand their business and their long-term financial aspirations. Through our relationship banking model, colleagues are empowered to take decisions that support their customers locally – and we see how this delivers real value for family businesses up and down the country each day.

“We look forward to playing our role in helping to deliver FBUK’s mission of creating a more prosperous and sustainable future for generations to come, and to supporting their members in achieving their own financial ambitions.”

Family businesses witnessing a bounce in UK growth prospects but caution remains over inheritance tax changes

Posted on by Vanessa Barrett

Family businesses across the UK are reporting an uplift in confidence following the change in Prime Minister, with new data in Family Business UK’s ‘Family Business Pulse’ showing growing optimism about the wider UK economy.

The latest quarterly survey of more than 530 family business leaders, conducted during the transition to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, shows a sharp rise in confidence in the UK’s economic prospects. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of family firms are now confident about UK economic growth over the next 12 months, compared with 48% in Q1. The overall net confidence score for the UK economy has increased from +17% to +40%.

Confidence levels were strongest in the North of England, with 70% of family businesses in the North West, North East and Yorkshire expressing confidence in UK economic growth over the coming year, compared with 60% in London and the South East. This optimism coincides with the launch of No.10 North.

Despite the positive outlook, concerns surrounding changes to Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR), which came into effect on 6 April, remain a major issue for family businesses.

  • Almost six in ten family firms surveyed (58%) say they are now being affected by the changes, up from 51% in the previous quarter.
  • A third (33%) of family businesses have sought legal or professional advice over the past year.
  • Medium and larger family businesses continue to be the most impacted, with 65% of firms employing between 50 and 249 people reporting that they are affected by the changes.
  • The survey also highlights the impact of BPR/APR on growth plans, with 24% of family businesses having paused or cancelled investment projects over the last 12 months, up from 15% in the previous quarter.

Neil Davy, Chief Executive Officer of Family Business UK, said:

“Family businesses have responded warmly to the change at No.10 and launch of No.10 North and there is a renewed sense of optimism about the UK’s growth prospects. 

“Family businesses are natural partners in the Government’s ambition to grow the economy. However, the changes to Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR) mean that many are being forced to withhold capital that would otherwise be earmarked for investment in recruitment, skills, training and community projects, in order to protect against unexpected inheritance tax liabilities. 

“If the Government wants to unlock the full potential of family-owned businesses, it should reopen the conversation on recent changes to BPR and APR and fully assess the negative impact they are having on investment and growth which the economy and communities across the UK need. 

“With the right policy environment, family firms will create jobs, develop skills and provide opportunities for economic growth in every part of the country. In doing so, they can play a key role in helping the Prime Minister deliver on his ambitions.”