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Press Releases

IFB initiative to boost growth in mid-sized family firms
09/01/2012

The Institute for Family Business (IFB) has launched an initiative to enhance the performance of mid-sized family businesses. The initiative supports the latest actions announced today by Business Minister Mark Prisk MP following the Government’s Mid-Sized Business (MSB) review. It is one of a number of measures to unlock growth among the UK’s 10,000 mid-sized firms – of which nearly half are family businesses.

Business Minister responds to IFB
09/01/2012

The Business Minister, Mark Prisk MP says the Government 'is firmly on the side of enterprising family businesses' and has distanced the Government from the conclusions of the recent research by the LSE, commissioned by BIS.

IFB letter to Treasury minister
13/12/2011

The IFB has written to Treasury Minister, David Gauke MP, expressing its concern about recent BIS research that questions the importance of business property relief (BPR) for Inheritance Tax. The association and its members consider BPR to be vital for the future survival of a strong and successful family business sector.

Member letter to constituency MPs
13/12/2011

The IFB has encouraged its members to write a letter to their consittuency MP highlighting their concerns about future Government taxation policy on the family business sector.

Dr Vince Cable praises the 'responsible capitalism' of family business
15/11/2011

Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) has praised family businesses for their 'culture of long-termism'.~ He was speaking at the first Annual Reception of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Family Business in front of an audience of MPs, Peers and family owners.

Press release: Family business revenues reach £1.1 trillion
14/11/2011

The Institute for Family Business (IFB) has today released a detailed report into the family business sector entitled ‘The UK Family Business Sector: Working to grow the UK economy’, which includes a foreword from Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. The report shows that family firms generate revenues of £1.1 trillion a year, and provide 9.2 million jobs in the UK – two out of every five private sector jobs or almost one in three of total jobs. Family businesses contribute an estimated £81.7 billion in tax receipts to the UK Exchequer, which amounted to 14% of total Government revenues in 2010.

IFB wants key tax changes to aid family business growth
31/10/2011

The IFB has sent its Autumn Submission to the Chancellor with recommendations that will deliver growth to the UK economy.

The UK's oldest family businesses - stability in troubled economic times
20/10/2011

The downturn may have taken its toll on the UK economy, but the UK’s oldest family businesses have seen it all before with many trading more than 300 years ago, according to a study by the IFB.

Missed opportunity by Government to help family business start-ups
05/10/2011

Government proposals to help investors in business start-ups will not do enough to encourage greater investment in new enterprises by family firms, according to the Institute for Family Business.

UK family businesses provide much-needed boost for Liverpool young people's charity
15/09/2011

Leading members of the UK’s family business sector have praised the work of the Fairbridge programme, part of national youth charity The Prince’s Trust, during a visit to its Liverpool base.

Top 10 Family-owned businesses 2011 - top firms continue to show growth
18/08/2011

While the economy struggles to recover the UK’s top family-owned businesses have seen increased sales in the last year, according to the annual Top 10 UK Family-owned Business survey conducted by the Institute for Family Business (IFB).

Next generation programme is a must for emerging family business leaders
26/07/2011

The only UK national programme for new and emerging family business leaders will start this autumn, the Institute for Family Business (IFB) has announced. The IFB Leadership Programme aims to prepare the next generation of business owners for greater responsibility and give them an awareness and readiness for the business challenges that lie ahead.

IFB South West appoints a new regional chair
08/07/2011

Family firms in the South West will have a greater voice nationally with the launch of the Institute for Family Business (IFB) South West region, headed by one of the region’s prominent family business leaders. Seventh generation family business leader Anthony Woodhouse, Managing Director of Dorset-based brewers Hall & Woodhouse, makers of the distinctive Badger Ales, has been appointed South West regional chair of the Institute for Family Business (IFB).

Budget will aid the future growth of family businesses, but further work is needed.
01/04/2011

In a letter to HM Treasury the Institute for Family Business (IFB) has welcomed measures put forward in last week’s Budget which will to help the growth prospects for the UK’s 3 million family businesses, but has called for more work to be done. IFB Director General Grant Gordon, said: “We welcome the overall thrust of the Budget and its recognition that the private sector is the key to growth and recovery, however we have reminded the Treasury that there is more work to done and would like to see further changes in particular the introduction of Family Business Trusts.”

All-Party Parliamentary Group for Family Business launched
31/03/2011

The new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Family Business, launched this week at the House of Commons, will give the UK’s 3 million family firms the chance to highlight to MPs their importance to the economy and the unique challenges they face.

Family businesses appoint more women directors than other types of business
21/03/2011

An IFB survey of more than 1 million UK private businesses has shown that family firms are leading the way in the appointment of women to senior positions compared to non-family businesses. IFB Director General, Grant Gordon, said: “The family business sector demonstrates that it is prepared to appoint directors based on ability rather than gender, so it is good to see this confirmed in a national survey.”

IFB National Conference 2011 looks at Family Business Stewardship in the 21st century
11/03/2011

The IFB will debate one of the hottest business topics of the decade at its forthcoming National Conference when it asks how far good corporate stewardship can drive business success. The two-day IFB National Conference 2011 Family Business Stewardship: A Model for Business Success, ,in Liverpool 9-10 June, will be attended by some of the biggest family-owned firms in the UK and an impressive line-up of speakers, including the Duke of Westminster and Chris Hodge, of the Financial Reporting Council.

Family business sets out its agenda for growth to the Chancellor
02/03/2011

A set of recommendations that will ensure the future growth and stability of the UK’s 3 million family businesses has been set out to the Chancellor of the Exchequer ahead of the Budget by the Institute for Family Business (IFB). At the heart of the recommendations in the Pre-Budget Submission are five basic points on taxation around issues of Business Property Relief (BPR), Business Asset, Holdover Relief (BAHR), Capital Gains Tax, the Enterprise Investment Scheme and Corporation Tax.

Family businesses can play a key role in the Big Society
17/02/2011, IFB Press Release

The Institute for Family Business (IFB) believes positive action by the Government can unlock the potential of the UK’s 3 million family firms to support the Big Society agenda. In a letter to the Government Adviser for Big Society, Lord Wei, the IFB has recommended tax breaks and funding incentives to encourage greater giving of time and money by family firms for social and philanthropic initiatives by their owners and employees.

IFB recommends ‘family business trusts’ to aid the long-term growth of family firms
02/02/2011

The IFB is calling for the simplification of the legislation on trusts and for HM Treasury to introduce a ‘family business trust’ to help family firms plan for succession and ensure the survival of the business.

Lastminute founder set to inspire young entrepreneurs
07/12/2010, IFB

Brent Hoberman, founder of one of the world's most successful online companies, has confirmed that he will join delegates at the IFB NxG International Convention to share his experience of internet entrepreneurship. Brent was CEO of travel website lastminute.com from its inception in 1998 until it was sold for more than $1bn just seven years later - positioning him as one of the top entrepreneurs of the online space.

Family business sector needs greater representation in government, says IFB
13/10/2010

Family-owned businesses, both individually and collectively, should be more fairly represented in Government policy making. The recommendation is part of the IFB's Autumn Submission to the Treasury, launched at the Commons yesterday.

IFB calls for two key tax changes to stimulate the enterprise economy
12/10/2010

Two key tax changes to encourage new business ventures and kick-start the UK economy are among the proposals put forward by the Institute for Family Business (IFB) in its annual submission to the Treasury.

IFB research reveals the UK's top 10 family businesses
12/08/2010

From shipping and construction to bread and newspapers the latest study by the Institute for Family Business shows that Britain’s top family businesses are at the forefront of some the country’s key industries.

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, said the director general of the Institute for Family Business (IFB), at a world summit of academic experts today.

Survey on trust in business endorses family firms
07/06/2010

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%).

IFB says that raising capital gains tax on business assets could unfairly damage family firms
28/05/2010, IFB on proposed capital gains tax rise

Any increase in capital gains tax (CGT) for ‘business assets’ could have a damaging effect on family-owned firms and their ability to grow and be successful, the Institute for Family Business (IFB) told the Government today.

IFB release - Investors Favour UK Family Firms
16/06/2008