Welcome to IFB
The Institute for Family Business is an independent, not-for-profit, politically neutral, membership association which supports the UK family-owned business sector through Advocacy, Education and Research.
Latest NEWS
 | Grant Gordon on BBC Bristol radio 18/02/2010 IFB Director General Grant Gordon appeared on BBC Bristol radio on 17 February, in an interview about family farming businesses and the sector in general. Grant said that the future looked good for family businesses, it is the largest sector in terms of employment and has a big part to play in entrepreneurship and new business activity. |
 | IFB's 9th National Forum Conference - Trust: A Source of Competitive Advantage 25/01/2010 10th - 11th June 2010, London
The UK's premier family business conference will examine how high trust organisations gain advantage. Themes to be explored include: Including the J.P. Morgan IFB Family Business Honours Gala Dinner on the 10th June at the Kensington Roof Gardens.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL PROGRAMME AND REGISTRATION FORM.
Online Registration is not currently available, please contact melissa.mays@ifb.org.uk if you would like more information. |
 | IFB invited to address the Oxford Farming Conference 11/01/2010 The prestigious Oxford Farming Conference included a formal debate on succession and the farming business. Delegates voted narrowly at the Oxford Union on January 5th in favour of the motion “Farmers should retire at 60”. The conference heard from a variety of experts on succession including IFB Director General, Grant Gordon, who called for a greater awareness of the need in all sectors, including agriculture, for the succession process to well planned.
Click here to listen to BBC Radio 4 programme Farming Today featuring Grant Gordon. |
 | IFB calls for nominations for The Beacon Prize 2010 14/12/2009 The Beacon Fellowship brings together a remarkable blend of individuals to change the culture of giving in the UK. In a new partnership the IFB is calling for nominations for the Family Business Philanthropist category of the Beacon Prize 2010. We are urging nominations of pioneering individuals within business owning families who have made a significant philanthropic contribution. |
 | Brazil Quest 2010 10/12/2009 22nd-26th Nov 2010
We are going to Brazil to get to know key business leaders and their organisations, to understand the rules of engagement for the private sector, the investment and governance climate, regulation and the political environment, the role of civil society and media. |
 | European Commision recognises importance of Family Business 09/12/2009 A European Commission report finds that family firms are important, not only because they make an essential contribution to the economy, but also because of the long-term stability they bring, the specific commitment they show to local communities and the values they stand for. The report that cites IFB Research also notes that according to a German study the UK leads 14 countries in terms of the relative competitive environment for family business. Click here to view the report |
 | IFB calls upon the Treasury to encourage entrepreneurial Britain 27/11/2009 Family businesses constitute the majority of the SME sector where a high proportion of new business start up activity and innovation occurs. The IFB has therefore requested that Alastair Darling takes steps in his pre budget report to extend the Enterprise Investment Scheme, as well as consider eight other family business related policy recommendations. |
 | Cranfield and Coutts offer programme to develop a successful and sustainable family business 13/11/2009 In summer 2010 Cranfield School of Management and Coutts & Co are offering their new development programme for family businesses with aspirations to progress and grow. An exclusive 15% discount on the programme fee is available to IFB member companies. |
 | Understanding Family Business: A Practical Guide for the Next Generation. By Andrew Drake 09/11/2009 This new guide will help the next generation to understand something about their rights, duties and responsibilities and about how family businesses are typically run. Click here to download an order form |
 | Business Families and Family Businesses 14/08/2009 This new book, The STEP Handbook for Advisers, offers a volume of information for family business owners. Click here to read a review of the book by Grant Gordon Click read more for further details on the book and an IFB Member discount |
 | Institute for Philanthropy and IFB launch Next Generation programme 17/07/2009 Next Generation Philanthropy is a programme in strategic philanthropy for 18-30 year olds stepping up to a deeper engagement in their personal, family or corporate philanthropy. Next Generation Philanthropy is the first course of its kind in Europe; a donor education programme that builds the skills, knowledge and networks of young people, so that they can achieve more impact in their giving.
Click here to download the programme |
 | Natural Philanthropists Inquiry Launched at National Forum Conference 05/06/2009
The IFB launches new research commissioned in collaboration with the Community Foundation Network. The report, entitled Natural Philanthropists, aims to throw light on how the family business sector is acting in terms of social responsibility and philanthropy. To download the report please click here |
 | 2009 Family Business Honours 04/06/2009 The 2009 J.P. Morgan IFB Family Business Honours were announced in Newcastle on 4th June at a gala dinner held on the first day of the IFB's National Forum Conference. Honours this year were awarded to Arco Ltd, Specsavers and Vitabiotics. further information and individual company case studies can be found on the Family Business Honours page. |
 | The Times Family Business Supplement 05/05/2009
On the 5th May The Times newspaper included a Family Business supplement, which has been produced in association with the IFB. If you do not have a hard copy of the supplement it can be downloaded via the following link:
The Times Family Business Supplement We hope that you find it interesting and please do let us have any feedback. |
 | Annual Report 2008 02/02/2009
The IFB Annual Report has just been published, this new addition to our communications provides an overview of the association's activities and its plans for the current year. Click here to download the report. |
 | Research Reveals the Powerful Impact of Emotional Ownership on Family Businesses 29/09/2008
The IFB has launched the first-ever study on Emotional Ownership (EO). Written by Åsa Björnberg and Nigel Nicholson of the London Business School, Emotional Ownership - The Critical Pathway Between the Next Generation and the Family Firm reveals a surprising place and age to jumpstart the Next Generation’s involvement in the family business – the family “dinner table” at the young age of six. Fostering EO at an early age gives family members a sense of identification and attachment to the family business, which ultimately helps ensure the success, sustainability and longevity of family firms. Please click here to read an overview of the report
Please click here to download the full report. |
 | Family Wars- Grant Gordon & Nigel Nicholson 13/03/08
IFB's Director General Grant Gordon & London Business School's Nigel Nicholson launch their new book Family Wars. |
 | UK Family Business Sector Report 06/02/2008Commisioned by the IFB, this report is the first overarching study of the UK family business sector. It highlights the considerable impact of family firms on all aspects of the UK economy and will be used to underpin the IFB's advocacy activity. Click here to download a PDF of the report or click below to read a summary. |
 | IFB announces new collaboration with NFTE The IFB recently unveiled a brand new relationship with the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). In the first instance this existing new partnership will focus on a Summer Biz Camp for youngsters aged 14 - 17.
To download further details click here |
 | IFB and IP launch Next Generation Philanthropy programme The IFB and the Institute for Philanthropy have launched a new programme aimed at 18 to 30 year olds who are interested in becoming more active and engaged in the issues they care about. Over two modules, Next Generation Philanthropy will wrestle with the concepts, methods and practice of philanthropy, giving the philanthropists of tomorrow the tools for effective, strategic giving.
To view the programme click here
http://www.instituteforphilanthropy.org.uk |
 | JPMorgan IFB Family Business Honours Announced at National Forum Conference 15/05/2008
The 2008 JPMorgan IFB Family Business Honours 2008 were announced at a Gala Dinner at The Mayfair Hotel on the 15th of May. Honours were awarded to Bibby Line, Timpson Ltd & Pentland Group Plc. Bakers & Larners of Holt were also awarded a commendation. Case studies of each company are available on the Family Business Honours page. |
 | National Forum Conference 2008 15/05/2008Engaging the Next Generation was the theme of the IFB's 7th National Forum Conference held in London on 15th & 16th May 2008. For the first time the programme featured the JPMorgan IFB Family Business Honours, celebrating family business success. Click here to download the National Forum Conference programme. |
 | Family Ownership Beats Private Equity 29/02/2008
Grant Gordon, Director General of the Institute for Family Business, has said that family firms in the UK are "a crucial breeding ground for entrepreneurial talent", have longer-term horizons than alternative forms of corporate ownership, and have a collective turnover worth double the private equity sector. |
 | Tax announcements on Capital Gains Tax HM Revenue & Customs has confirmed that the announcements on CGT will not have any impact on the existing scope of Business Asset Holdover Relief. This is obviously good news for IFB members, and reflects our communications with the Treasury in this area. |
 | UK Family Business Sector Report- Parliamentary Launch The IFB UK Family Business Report was launched at The House of Commons on the 17th of March. It was hosted by the Rt. Hon Richard Caborn MP. |
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Forthcoming Events
See all Events
 | Generously hosted by David Ord and Terence Mordaunt. READ MORE | |  | With guest panel, Anabel Hoult- Hoults Estates, Caroline Nottcut, Nottcuts Ltd, Dawn Goodman, Withers LLP and Beverley Rogers, Serlecourt. READ MORE | |  | Midlands Region - Family Business Dinner
27/04/2010 Further details to follow.... | |  | Growing Pains – how the business, family and culture have adapted to the growth of Samworth Brothers.
With guest speaker Mark Samworth, Director, Samworth Brothers. READ MORE | |  | Dr Philippa Malmgren, President of the Canonbury Group will talk on The Global Investment Outlook for 2010. READ MORE | |  | Chaired By Christopher Oughtred and Moderated by Peter Leach, this forum will tell you 'Everything you ever wanted to know about Family Councils'. READ MORE | |  | Day Lewis Plc will be presenting a case study at the South East regional forum in London. READ MORE | |  | Theme: Selling the family silver – Surviving the high tax environment READ MORE | |  | Our guest speaker for this dinner in Cambridge is Martin Riley. READ MORE | |  | This Meet the Owner Event is exculsively for Next Generation Family Business Members. READ MORE | |  | William Lees-Jones, Managing Director of J. W. Lees, has generously agreed to host this Meet the Owner event READ MORE | |  | The Family Office Roadmap: the dos and don’ts of setting up a Family Office. Held with the generous support of Northern Trust and Withers. READ MORE | |  | Guest Speaker: Professor Ajit Lalvani READ MORE | |  | Family Business Briefings is a new addition to the IFB’s regional education programme. READ MORE | |  | Guest CEO: Paul Drechsler – Chairman & CEO, Wates Group READ MORE | |  | Recent events...Family Business Policy Forum with CBI
06/05/2009 Mark Samworth, Samworth Brothers, will chair a Policy Forum meeting being held jointly with the CBI. There will be two discussion themes, the first on Managing in the Recession and the second on Future Growth of the UK Economy. | |  | Jamie Cayzer-Colvin, Executive Director Caledonia Investments plc and Dominic Gibbs, CEO Cayzer Trust Company, have kindly agreed to host this Meet the Owner event which is being held exclusively for the IFB Family Office Forum. READ MORE | |  | Recent events...Family Council Chair Forum
24/03/2009 Charles Robertson from C&J Clark Ltd will be presenting a case study at the latest Family Council Chair Forum. | |
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