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The Institute for Family Business is an independent, not-for-profit, politically neutral, membership association supporting the UK family-owned business sector through Advocacy, Education and Research.

 

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Latest NEWS

IFB Blog - The debate on family business branding
12/07/2010

Following a debate last week at IFERA, the world summit for family business academic experts, we look at whether family business branding can bring a competitive advantage.

Read the blog and comment here 

 
UK business schools must do more for family business education, says IFB
09/07/2010
A lack of focus on family business issues in UK business schools and a failure of business advisers to understand the challenges to the sector are among the factors that prevent the growth of many family firms, the IFB told a world summit of academic experts today.
 
IFB Blog - Top business leader defines family business success
07/07/2010

Former Bacardi Group CEO, Javier Ferran, has spoken of his experience of working for family firms and the importance for them of defining their values. 

Read the blog and comment here

 
Leadership for the Next Generation
22/06/2010

A programme to develop the leadership skills of younger members of family businesses is looking for suitable candidates.

Held in London and spread over five days between September 2010 and June 2011 the IFB Next Generation Leadership Programme will focus on organisational behaviour – the ‘people’ side of leadership. The closing date for applications is 15 July 2010 for more information contact info@ifb.org.uk

READ MORE

 
Three companies triumph in J.P. Morgan IFB Family Business Honours
21/06/2010

Family firms from the world of beer, milk and wine have won this year’s J.P Morgan IFB Family Business Honours 2010.

 
IFB blog - Trust, a source of competitive advantage
10/06/2010

Family firms are well placed to lead the drive to revive trust in UK business. Our latest blog looks at their advantages and some of the challenges they face.

Read the blog and comment here

 
Annual Report 2009
08/06/2010

IFB's Annual Report has now been published. It features an overveiw of our activites from the past year.

Click here to download

 
Family business supplement is published in The Times
07/06/2010

Articles looking at how innovation and enterprise can help family business survive and thrive include the IFB Enterprising Business Families survey and an interview with IFB members Michael and Rupert Heseltine, of Haymarket Media Group.

To read the supplement click here

 
Public survey on trust in business endorses family-owned firms
06/06/2010

An IFB survey shows that the public recognises family firms often provide better customer service (62%) than other types of business and their important role in economic growth and employment (68%).

 See our press release

 
IFB blog - Social enterprise and building the Big Society
02/06/2010

How businesses can bring benefits to their own organisation, and wider society, by involvement in social enterprises.

To view the blog and comment, click here

 
IFB urges the Treasury not to raise CGT on business assets
28/05/2010
The IFB has written to Mark Hoban MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, setting out our views on the proposed changes to capital gains tax (CGT) and its potential effect on family businesses. 
 
Why family-owned companies deliver better returns - Investors Chronicle
18/05/2010

In the cover article of The Investors Chronicle, John Hughman looks at how some of the fundamental attributes of family-owned enterprises give them an edge over their more widely owned counterparts. 

For the full article click here

 
IFB endorses Midlands Family Business Awards
17/05/2010
The Institute for Family Business is delighted to endorse the Midlands Family Business Awards, which are being underwritten by IFB member company The Wilson Organisation. 
 
IFB Blog - The virtues of long-term business planning
10/05/2010

A new book examines how concentrating on the short-term can have damaging long-term consequences for business.

To view the blog and comment, click here

 
06/05/2010
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IFB blog - Election puts the spotlight on social capital
22/04/2010

As the UK general election nears, politicians have been seen at leading family firms for eye-catching picture opportunities, but their visits are not down to chance.

To view the blog and comment click here

 
IFB blog - Family values and shareholder value
13/04/2010

The debate continues on whether the relentless pursuit of shareholder value has helped to undermine the reputation of business and it’s a theme that will be pursued further at the IFB National Conference in June.

To view the blog and comment click here

 
Budget 2010 - Family Business
31/03/2010

For an overview of the recent budget and how it will impact the Family Business Sector please click here.

We are grateful to Katherine Bullock and PricewaterhouseCoopers for providing this information.

 
IFB blog - Learning from Swedish enterprise
29/03/2010

A visit to Sweden has revealed how it's government is committed to legislative and tax changes to support the transfer of business ownership - something the IFB would like to see Westminster policymakers do more to address.

To view the blog click here

 
Press release - CBI director-general will speak on trust in UK business at IFB National Conference
25/03/2010
Richard Lambert, CBI director-general, will warn of a greater threat of regulation for business if it doesn’t rebuild trust with its stakeholders, when he speaks at the Institute for Family Business (IFB) national conference in June.
 
IFB blog - Ingenious Britain
19/03/2010

Commenting on Sir James Dyson's new report on entrepreneurship, Grant Gordon asks, 'what can we do to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of our nation's business families?'.

To view the blog click here

 
IFB blog launched
09/03/2010

For insights and opinion on what's important to family businesses you can now follow our blog. IFB director general, Grant Gordon, will be sharing his expert views and posting regular updates.

To view the blog click here 

 
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:

  • What is trust?
  • How do you build trust internally?
  • How to create trust externally?

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.

 
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
06/02/2008
Commisioned 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
15/05/2008
Engaging 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.

 
 

Forthcoming Events

See all Events

National Conference 2011
09/06/2011

Join us for our 10th Anniversary next year in Liverpool, 9th & 10th June 2011.

 
Family Office Forum Workshop - Meet the Owner - Consensus Business Group
14/09/2010

More details to follow soon

 

Preparing emerging generations for family business leadership. 5 modules taking place from September 2010 - June 2011.

READ MORE

 

 
IFB Womens Forum, September 2010
28/09/2010

More details to follow soon

 

"Innovation: keeping the family business vibrant for generations" 21st FBN International Summit: September 30th - October 2nd, 2010

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Hosted by Derrick Potter.

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Hosted by Nicholas Wainwright.

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With guest speaker Sir Ian Good CBE – Chairman, The Edrington Group.

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Hosted and presented by management consultants McKinsey & Co

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With Guest Speaker Will Browne-Swinburne - 'Breaking Eggs and Making Omelettes. A Point of View on Succession'

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With guest speaker Stewart Towe – Managing Director, Hadley Group

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Guest Speaker - Prof. Heinrich Leichtenstein Benchmarking the Single Family Office: Identifying the Performance Drivers

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Javier Ferran, Partner,Lion Capital Former President & CEO, Bacardi Group

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With guest speaker, John Timpson, Chairman, Timpson Ltd

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With Guest Speaker John Tordoff - Chief Executive, JCT600

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Recent Events...IFB Midlands - Meet the Owner - M Wright & Sons
25/05/2010

Generously hosted by Michael and George Wright.

 
Recents Events...IFB North East - Family Business Dinner
27/05/2010

More details coming soon...

 

With guest panel, Anabel Hoult- Hoults Estates, Caroline Notcutt, Notcutts Ltd, Dawn Goodman, Withers LLP and Beverley Rogers, Serlecourt.

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Generously hosted by David Ord and Terence Mordaunt.

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Growing Pains – how the business, family and culture have adapted to the growth of Samworth Brothers. With guest speaker Mark Samworth, Director, Samworth Brothers.

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Dr Philippa Malmgren, President of the Canonbury Group will talk on The Global Investment Outlook for 2010.

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Chaired By Christopher Oughtred and Moderated by Peter Leach, this forum will tell you 'Everything you ever wanted to know about Family Councils'.

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Day Lewis Plc will be presenting a case study at the South East regional forum in London.

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Theme: Selling the family silver – Surviving the high tax environment

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Our guest speaker for this dinner in Cambridge is Martin Riley.

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This Meet the Owner Event is exculsively for Next Generation Family Business Members.

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William Lees-Jones, Managing Director of J. W. Lees, has generously agreed to host this Meet the Owner event

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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.

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Guest Speaker: Professor Ajit Lalvani

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Family Business Briefings is a new addition to the IFB’s regional education programme.

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Guest CEO: Paul Drechsler – Chairman & CEO, Wates Group

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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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