Tag: FBUK

Rising employment costs put further pressure on family-run wholesale and retail sector

Posted on by Vanessa Barrett

New labour market figures underline the growing pressure facing the UK’s family-run wholesale and retail sector as businesses contend with rising employment costs.

The latest ONS figures show that the wholesale and retail sector had 76,000 fewer payrolled employees in August than a year earlier – the largest fall in employee numbers of any sector. Across the economy as a whole, the number of payrolled employees fell by 145,000 over the same period.

The figures are particularly significant for family businesses, which form the backbone of the UK’s wholesale and retail sector. More than 510,000 family businesses operate in wholesale and retail – representing 91.3% of all firms in the sector.

Together, these businesses employ 2.73 million people, accounting for more than two-thirds (68.4%) of employment across wholesale and retail. Family firms in the sector also generated £974 billion in turnover in 2023 – more than family businesses in any other part of the economy.

The latest employment figures reflect the pressures the family business sector is facing.

Our latest Family Business Pulse found that 38% of family businesses identify rising employment costs as a significant barrier to hiring, while 29% say Employer National Insurance Contributions are among the tax measures having the greatest immediate impact on their business.

Despite these pressures, family firms remain ambitious. More than half (55%) expect to increase their workforce over the next 12 months, although 79% of those expecting to recruit anticipate only a slight increase in staff numbers.

Fiona Graham, Chief Operating Officer at Family Business UK, said:

“The latest employment figures should concern anyone who wants to see businesses investing, growing and creating jobs across the UK.

“Wholesale and retail is overwhelmingly a family-business sector. More than 500,000 family firms operate within it, employing over 2.7 million people and making a major contribution to communities and local economies across the country.

“Family businesses want to employ more people – our own research shows that 55% expect to grow their workforce over the next year. But rising employment costs are making those ambitions increasingly difficult to realise.

“Ahead of the Budget, Government should focus on creating the conditions that give businesses the confidence to recruit. That means reducing the burden of Employer National Insurance Contributions and carefully managing future increases in the National Minimum and National Living Wage.”

Family Business UK joins prime minister’s first talks with business leaders

Posted on by Vanessa Barrett

Family Business UK has joined Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first talks with leading business organisations, as the new Government set out plans for a stronger partnership with businesses to drive investment, create jobs and deliver growth across the country.

Neil Davy, Chief Executive of Family Business UK, spoke with the Prime Minister alongside representatives from organisations including the British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, Institute of Directors, Make UK and ScaleUp Institute.

The Prime Minister used the discussions to outline a new offer to British businesses, focused on greater certainty, clearer long-term direction, faster decision-making and giving businesses a stronger voice in shaping government policy.

A central part of the discussion was the role businesses can play in tackling rising youth unemployment and skills shortages. The Prime Minister called on employers to work with Government to restore the first rung on the career ladder for young people, while helping businesses develop the skilled workforce they need to grow.

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

“It was encouraging to be part of the Prime Minister’s first discussions with business organisations and to hear his commitment to building a stronger partnership between government and business.

“The Prime Minister is right to put tackling youth unemployment at the heart of that partnership. Family businesses invest in people for the long term, providing apprenticeships, training and that crucial first opportunity for young people to get into work and build a career.

“There is significant common ground with our recently published Policy Agenda, from creating a fairer system of taxation to creating those opportunities for young people by breaking down barriers to employment.

“We look forward to working with the Prime Minister and his Government to turn these shared ambitions into practical action and ensure family businesses can continue building Britain for generations.”

FBUK will continue working with the Prime Minister and the new Government to ensure family businesses have a strong voice as these priorities are taken forward.

During the roundtable discussion, Neil informed the Prime Minister and senior government officials that, if the Government wants to drive sustainable growth in every postcode and unlock the full potential of family businesses as partners in creating opportunities for young people, it must reopen the Business Property Relief (BPR) conversation and review the damage these changes are having on family-owned firms.

With family businesses operating in every part of the country, employing locally and investing for the long term, there is a significant opportunity to put them at the heart of the Government’s plans to tackle youth unemployment, unlock investment and deliver sustainable, place-based growth across the UK.

Latest FBUK magazine published

Posted on by Martin Greig

The latest edition of the Family Business UK magazine – and the first of 2026 – is hot off the press.

Full stories about passionate people from fascinating firms, invaluable insights from family business experts, detailed policy analysis from Westminster and news from FBUK Members and Corporate Partners, our magazine is your chance to stay up to date with issues that matter to you.

You can read or download a pdf copy by clicking below.

FBUK Magazine Edition 6 March 2026

In this latest edition:

  • B Corp is all about embedding purpose and values into everyday operations. Many family businesses have already become certified B Corp. In this edition, you can read about Haymarket’s journey to gaining B Corp certification,
  • with changes to inheritance tax due to come into effect in April, there are top tips on how to prepare,
  • as those changes to inheritance tax take effect, FBUK COO Fiona Graham gives her view on why it’s critical for family businesses to make their case to be heard at the heart of policymaking and,
  • as FBUK gears up to mark our 25th anniversary at our Annual Conference in June we talk to the two founders of FBUK Alex Scott and Grant Gordon about the power of the Family Business UK community.

We are always keen to hear your news or about issues that matter to you. If you have some news to share or there’s something you’d like us to cover, why not get in touch?

And, if you’d like to advertise your business, brand or services in our magazine, download our media pack to learn more about the opportunity.

FBUK & FBRF Issue Joint Statement

Posted on by Abbie-Louise

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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FBUK Publishes Annual Report

Posted on by Abbie-Louise

Family Business UK have today published our Annual Report, covering the 18-month period July 2022 – December 2023.

Comments on the annual report from Neil Davy, CEO of Family Business UK.

As members will see from the report, the second half of 2022 focussed on developing a new strategy for the organisation (then known as the IFB) which built on the 20+ years of tremendous legacy and support for the IFB, but set-out a new ambition and direction of travel. This included a comprehensive review of every aspect of the organisation, it’s activities, and relationships with all stakeholders, and importantly our Members.

The priority for 2023, was to implement those plans, place the organisation on a firm footing to prepare for future growth, and indeed relaunch as Family Business UK, which we did in June of last year.

I am pleased to say we are now well placed to leverage that hard work, and the growing support and involvement from FBUK Members, Corporate Partners and others involved in our growing movement.

On behalf of the FBUK team, I’d like to extend sincere thanks to everyone who has worked so hard over this period.

We still have much work to do, but we are excited and energized by the challenge, and the opportunities that are ahead, to support family businesses in the UK, and champion the sector.

Download the Annual Report.

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