Our Activities

Sharing knowledge and experience through the network - regionally, nationally and internationally - is a key focus of the IFB's work. Providing the highest quality programmes, from the National Forum Conference to seminars and networking evenings, IFB events provide unparalleled opportunities for family business owners to gather and learn from each other.

Advocacy

The IFB’s key objective in the advocacy arena is to promote the vital contribution that long-term family businesses make to the UK economy and the issues that family firms face. The IFB positioning is politically neutral and the organisation is uniquely equipped to contribute constructively and positively to policy debates on family business issues.

The primary activities of the IFB advocacy programme are:

• Raise the profile of family business through the local and national media
• Engage with parliamentarians and other key stakeholders
• Build an evidence base on the strength of the family business sector
• Develop a policy platform on legislative changes that members would like to see implemented or resisted

The IFB is a trade association member of the CBI, ensuring that family business issues are promoted by the UK’s leading industry representation body.

Education

The IFB’s activities focus on networking as a vehicle for promoting best practice and sharing knowledge on issues identified by members as being critical to the continued success of their family businesses. These include:

• Establishing family and corporate governance for effective decision-making
• Developing young family members and future leaders
• Working effectively with non-family members
• Balancing family and business objectives
• Mitigating against conflict in the family and responding effectively if it occurs
• Preparing the family and the business for successful generational transition
• Defining the role of the family office

From the annual National Forum Conference to seminars, speaker clubs and networking dinners, the IFB provides programmes of the highest quality which provide members with the opportunity to discuss family business issues and find solutions through collective experiences.

International Forum
National Forum
Regional Forum
Next Generation Forum

It is estimated that only 1 in 10 family businesses survive beyond the third generation and younger family members often face special challenges when trying to find their role within the family firm. The IFB’s Next Generation Forum supports younger members, providing the opportunity to share experiences and concerns, learn with peers and broaden their horizons both on a personal level and within their family business.

Membership of IFB NxG also provides members with the opportunity to apply for UK and international internships through the Family Business Network’s ‘Build the Future Programme’.

Research

Research underpins all the IFB's activities. Through collaboration with world class research faculties, thought leaders and acclaimed academics, the IFB promotes a deeper understanding of the issues which will inevitably confront family firms:

• How does managerial practice differ in the family firm?
• What are the factors that make a firm successful through the generations? 
• How can communication with family members be enhanced for the good of the business and the family?
• How to engage the Next Generation?

IFB research is published and is available to members on the website, providing an invaluable source for families wishing to enhance their knowledge and understanding of family business issues.