S&W Becomes Silver FBUK Partner

Family Business UK and the accountancy and advisory firm S&W have agreed a new silver-level Corporate Partnership.

Founded in 1881, S&W is a top 10 UK accountancy firm, supporting more than 23,000 clients from their 17 offices across the country.

Neil Davy, CEO FBUK said

“I am delighted to welcome S&W to Family Business UK adding their knowledge, expertise and counsel to our own, and supporting our Members in building Britain for generations.

“Our Corporate Partners are critical allies in our work. Together, we can better support our Members to navigate the challenges they face today and build strong, innovative family businesses for tomorrow.”

As a silver-level Partner of FBUK, S&W will help deliver thought leadership and meaningful content and guidance to the family business community.

Laura Hayward, Partner S&W added

“We are thrilled to join Family Businesses UK as a new Corporate Partner, joining a movement of businesses and supporters advocating for family businesses and their positive impact in the UK.

“S&W’s partners and professionals are devoted to supporting family businesses through every stage of their journey helping them navigate challenges, unlock potential and achieve the extraordinary.

“We look forward to championing these remarkable businesses that drive innovation, generate employment, and stimulate economic growth across the UK.”

FBUK Magazine Edition 3 Published

Hot off the press, the latest edition of the Family Business UK magazine has been published and is available to download digitally.

Coming at a pivotal moment for family businesses, with important policy changes creating an uncertain outlook, this edition explores some of the key issues you should consider when planning for the journey ahead.

Download the FBUK Magazine

In this edition you’ll find:

  • Steve Rigby – the Chair of FBUK on his ‘North Star’ for FBUK,
  • Views from Westminster including:
    • Gareth Thomas MP the Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports,
    • Andrew Griffith MP the Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade,
    • Daisy Cooper MP the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and the Party’s Treasury Spokesperson,
  • William Lees-Jones – Managing Director of JW Lees on campaigning against the changes to BPR,
  • Sarah Dean – Chair of Noble Foods on leading with purpose and the importance of staying true to your values,
  • FBUK Corporate Partners Farrer & Co, Clarion and PwC give their tips on what you need to do to plan for the changes to BPR and APR.
  • We mark 500 years of family business history with FBUK Members Neville Trust (150 years) and Morning Foods (350 years),
  • Caroline Platt shares her lessons from conquering daring adventure challenges and
  • Holly Thallon Steenson on her journey into the family business.

All this, and you can read about our latest research looking at the impacts of the changes to BPR and APR.

Get Involved

If you’ve got news to share, an issue you think we should be covering or perhaps you fancy writing an article yourself, reach out and get in touch with a member of the team.

Advertise in the FBUK Magazine

Would you like to advertise your business and services to some of the UK’s premier family business owners? You can find more information below about securing space in future editions of the magazine. And, if you’d like to talk to us about other advertising, sponsorship and partnership opportunities, we would love to hear from you. You can contact a member of the team here.

Download our media pack

A Message from the Chair Designate

A Message from the Chair Designate

Dear FBUK Members,

Please find below a message from Steve Rigby, Deputy Chairman, and Chair designate, of Family Business UK (FBUK) and CO-CEO of the Rigby Group PLC.

Click here to download and read the PDF message.

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FBUK & FBRF Issue Joint Statement

FBUK & FBRF Issue Joint Statement

A statement from Family Business UK & the Family Business Research Foundation, on the future structure of the organisations.

We are writing to inform you regarding the future structure of our organisations. Family Business UK (FBUK) and the Family Business Research Foundation (FBRF) have been reviewing how to improve both organisations capability to achieve our shared goal – to create the environment to allow family businesses in the UK to thrive.

Please read the joint statement from Sir James Wates, Chairman of Family Business UK, and Sir Michael Bibby, Chairman of the Family Business Research Foundation, below.

Click here to Download and read the statement.

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Family Business Week 2024 to Focus on “supporting local economies and communities”

Family Business Week 2024 to Focus on “supporting local economies and communities”.

Family Business Week will return this year, from 25th – 29th November, to celebrate family businesses as the cornerstone of local communities up and down the country.

In every corner of the UK, Britain’s 4.8 million family-owned firms are key employers, creating meaningful careers for millions of people, and giving back to the communities they serve.

Now in its fourth year, Family Business Week will this year shine a light on the amazing work of family businesses across the country ensuring the contribution they make to our economy and communities is recognised and celebrated.

With events taking place across the country, the entire week is an opportunity for everyone to get behind family businesses and show their support. Family Business Week builds on our advocacy work to demonstrate to government the importance of family firms and the policies needed to sustain them.

Neil Davy, CEO of Family Business UK said:

“From local tradespeople, retailers, makers and tech innovator to some of our biggest and best-known brands, family businesses thrive in every corner of the country. They create wealth through valuable jobs and long-term careers, and social value by investing in the communities they serve.

In this context, Family Business Week is our chance to tell the world just how important family businesses are in our economy. Why not join us in a week of celebration? Join one of our events, reach out to your network – including your local MP – and help us to spread the word.”

Get Involved in Family Business Week 2024

Whether you’re a family business owner, employee, adviser or a policymaker, get involved and show your support.

  1. Show your support on social media
  2. Nominate a ‘Ones to Watch’ candidate
  3. Attend a Family Business Week event
  4. Invite your MP to visit on #familybusinessfriday
  5. Send your MP our Manifesto and back family business infographic

Family Business Week 2024 is proudly sponsored by our corporate partner, NatWest.

Andy Gray, Managing Director Commercial Mid-Market at NatWest said:

“Family businesses are the backbone of our economy and the bedrock of our communities. They make up 90% of the UK’s total private sector firms and employ 14 million people. At NatWest we see real opportunity to support family businesses to grow, innovate and create jobs over generations, driving the UK economy forward for the long term. We are committed to championing the sector and through our partnership we’re excited to meet and support FBUK members.”

Ones to Watch

Our ‘Ones to Watch’ nominations showcase the best and brightest talent in family businesses across the country – individuals who live and breathe the values of family businesses as the lifeblood of local communities and local economies.

Nominations are now open: Download the nomination form

Do you know a champion of local community? An innovator redefining strategy to support the local economy? Someone spearheading the campaign to make their family business a force for good?

Open to anyone working within the business, affiliated charity, foundation, community outreach programme or similar (they do not need to be a member of FBUK or a family member to qualify).

Why Nominate?

  • Celebrate the incredible work of a person in your business and show your appreciation.
  • Raise their profile, and your company’s.
  • Inspire other family business leaders.

How To Nominate

It couldn’t be easier to nominate someone from your business.

Send us an email with the subject ‘Ones to Watch Nomination’ to info@familybusinessuk.org with the completed nomination form attached.

We will then review and shortlist the nominees, and if the person you have nominated is successful, we will get back in touch with you, so you can share the exciting news!

Our judging panel will be considering several criteria when reviewing nominations, including:

  1. Investing in the local economy and community (nomination statement): What is this person doing to invest in their local economy and act as a force for good in the local community?
  2. Enriching your local area: Are there any initiatives which have been implemented to better the surrounding areas with purpose-led sustainability practices, provision of education, social housing, public resources, or improved high streets
  3. Providing employment: Does this person pioneer for the real living wage, job security, flexible working, training and progression, equality or LTIPs
  4. Supporting local suppliers: How do they support local suppliers? Are they using an innovative or creative approach to balance supply and demand?
  5. Local charitable giving: How do they use social value to tackle inequality?

We look forward to receiving your nomination and celebrating Family Business Week 2024 with you.

Family Business Week 2024 is proudly sponsored by our corporate partner, NatWest.

 

FBUK Launches Senior & Next Generation family business Guides

FBUK are delighted to launch two new family business User Guides containing thought-leadership and best practice to help support the next generation of family business owners, with Guides for the Senior and Next Generation in family business.

These guides form part of FBUK’s growing library of specialist tools and resources, complementing our existing family business Life Stages Model, and helping families navigate the nuances and dynamics of successfully running a multi-generational family business.  

The guides cover topics of material importance to family businesses, supporting both the senior generation, and the next generation in family business.

Senior Gen Guide

The Senior Gen Guide is designed to help you support your next generation, as they tackle the complexities of finding their way in the family business.

It includes information on:

  • How to foster the next generation’s interest in the family business;
  • Supporting them to become the responsible owners of the future;
  • How to identify those who could lead your business in the future;
  • Managing the transition to new leadership;
  • Finding your place and adding value to the business, as you step away.

Download the Senior Gen Guide here.

FBUK Senior Generation User Guide Cover

Next Gen Guide

And the Next Gen Guide can help you as a next generation family member to balance the paths ahead of you, deciding whether to join the business, to take on leadership or ownership, or to build and explore your own career.

It includes information on:

  • How to decide whether to join the business or not;
  • How you can equip yourself to take on the responsibilities of ownership;
  • How to develop as a leader, if that is the path you choose;
  • Finding your voice & the right place for you;
  • Who to turn to for further support and advice

Download the Next Gen Guide here

FBUK Next Generation User Guide Cover

Helping the next gen in family business

At FBUK our purpose is to help create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

And to this end, we apply thought-leadership to support family businesses in capacity building, decision-making, day-to-day management, and family relationships, helping drive sustainable bottom-line performance.

We trust that you enjoy the guides, and would ask you to please share them with family members, colleagues, and others in your network, whom you feel would benefit from their insights.

With our thanks to renowned family business experts, Juliette Johnson and Ken McCracken for their contributions.

We are grateful to our carefully selected corporate partner NatWest, for their support with the publication of these guides, and for the thought leadership contributions and case studies they have provided.

Natwest logo

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