IFB Research Foundation

Aims Charity Registration no. 1134085

The IFB Research Foundation is dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of family business which makes a significant contribution to the economy and society. The knowledge fostered through the Foundation helps ensure the continued success and sustainability of the UK family business sector. The IFB Research Foundation works for public benefit .

The Foundation’s activities are divided into two principal areas:

Research, - developing an enhanced understanding of best practice and seeking fresh insights into the sector; in turn this will benefit all stakeholders including owners, policy makers and the general public. Our research on the family business sector is focused at two levels:

i. The contribution of the sector to employment, economic development and national wealth.

ii. The characteristics that distinguish family businesses, e.g. long-term stewardship with a balanced approach to growth and investment; the encouragement of entrepreneurship and innovation; a commitment to social responsibility.

Dissemination - enabling the sharing of best practice through publications and other means.

The Foundation’s objects are

The advancement of education of the public in business and management (with a particular focus on the family business sector) by research and the publication and dissemination of the results of such research and findings
The promotion of such purposes for public benefit as shall be charitable in accordance with the law of England and Wales

Governance & Management

The IFB Research Foundation is independent from the Institute for Family Business (UK) and is governed by its own board of directors including representatives from the founding family business sponsors. The board dictates the strategy for the Foundation, and meets not less than two times per annum.

The Foundation is managed on a day-to-day basis by the IFB Secretariat and, under the supervision of the Foundation’s board; the IFB Director General has the responsibility of implementing the approved strategy.

Funding

IFB member companies make voluntary contributions which ensure that the necessary resources are in place for the pursuit of the Foundation’s remit.
The following family businesses are Founding Sponsors of the IFB Research Foundation.

Bettys & Taylors
Pentland Group
Samworth Brothers
Sand Aire
The Grosvenor Estate
Wates Family Holdings
William Grant & Sons

Summary

The IFB Research Foundation is the only UK charity focused on developing greater knowledge and understanding of family firms, their contribution to the economy and society and the key challenges and opportunities they face.

For further information on all aspects of the IFB Research Foundation, please contact:

Grant Gordon, Secretary, IFB Research Foundation, Tel: 020 7630 6250

Research

	Natural Philanthropists: Findings of the Family Business Philanthropy and Social Responsibility Inquiry Beth Breeze, IFB June 2009 This report, based on newly commissioned research, aims to meet the need for new data and information on the scale, scope and impact of family business philanthropy and social responsibility, to provide examples of good practices that demonstrate benefits to both the community and to family businesses, and to make recommendations that will create a more enabling environment and encourage other family business owners to start their philanthropic journey.

	Emotional Ownership - The Critical Pathway Between the Next Generation and the Family Firm Åsa Björnberg and Nigel Nicholson, London Business School, September 2008 An international survey exploring the bond between the next generation and the family business. The report explains many of the psychological complexities that make building family capital both a rewarding and challenging task.

	Single Family Offices: Private Wealth Management in the Family Context University of Pennsylvania & IESE Business School, in collaboration with the Institute for Family Business, 2008 This international survey of 138 families helps clarify the role of the single family office. The report highlights that the family office is primarily a private investment vehicle, with other responsibilities (e.g. education) generally of secondary importance.

	UK Family Business Sector Report The Institute for Family Business with Capital Economics, Feb 2008 A comprehensive report on the size, scope and breadth of the UK family business sector. The research reveals that UK family firms contribute over 30% of overall GDP. The report also highlights some of the issues that family firms face.

	GEM Report - Family Business Specialist Summary Foundation for Entrepreneurial Management, London Business School, 2006 The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor asks individuals in the UK whether or not they are involved in start-up activity. The report suggests that the family firm is a way of “cutting teeth” for young entrepreneurs.

	The UK Family Business PLC Economy Dr Panikkos Poutziouris, Manchester Business School & Institute for Family Business, 2006 This research focuses on UK family controlled quoted companies and reports on their performance measured in terms of shareholder returns. This research reveals that the Family Business Index outperforms the FTSE All-Share index.

	Leadership, Culture and Change...in UK Family Firms Nigel Nicholson, London Business School, 2003 This survey of over 150 family business owners and directors examines the structure, culture, hopes and fears of family firms. A healthy culture, built on a well established set of values, is often found to be the lynch pin to high performance.