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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