Grant Gordon on BBC Bristol radio

The discussion on BBC Bristol’s Graham Torrington show followed an interview with Ruth Kinder, a member of a local family farming business. Grant explained how 95% of farms were still family businesses and there were three million family enterprises in the UK in total.

He said that the IFB supported the success and sustainability of family businesses and looked at issues of succession and generational transition. Asked what message he would give to families about succession, Grant said that members of the next generation needed to look at the skills and competencies they could bring to the company and that the older generation needed to think about what roles and the expectations they had for the next generation.

He added: “Many family businesses are crying out for a new generation to bring in a whole raft of new skills. That’s why it’s vital for them to go out and acquire those skills elsewhere so that they are equipped to bring something into the business, add value and help them prosper.”

To listen to the interview with Grant Gordon click here - and go to 20 minutes and 45 seconds.