Internships

Supporting the next generation to grow and learn is a core part of our work, and one which we know is important to many of our members. The IFB Internships are designed to help our next generation members access relevant work experiences and to help current owners get connected with motivated individuals. 

Whether you already have experience in the family business or not, as a younger family member you will benefit from taking time to learn outside the family firm. Doing work experience in a different business than your own helps you develop new skills, gain fresh perspectives and learn innovative insights. Whether you choose to work in your family business or not, completing a family business internship can be invaluable for your career.

HOW does it work?

The terms and conditions of the internships can vary from company to company. We advise an internship period of at least 3-4 weeks, in order for interns to settle in and contribute, and for a proper exchange of ideas. However, whether you choose to offer an internship opportunity for the length of 3 weeks or 3 months, this is entirely up to you as a host.

The IFB's role is that of facilitation and connection. The details, terms and conditions of the engagement are for the host and intern to arrange and agree upon.

HOW DO I APPLY?

If you are interested in gaining work experience in a family business, please watch this space as we will update this page as soon as new opportunities become available. In the meantime, please contact info@ifb.org.uk if you would like to find out more.

You can also send us your CV and we will keep it in store until new opportunities become available. In this case, please specify the preferred length and location of the internship, we will do our best to accommodate your preferences when connecting you with available hosts.

HOW DO I BECOME A HOST?

Becoming a host is a great way to support younger family members and help them develop new skills. All you have to do to become a host is:

1. Define your internship offer.
   Define the internship scope, conditions, length and the key person who will help the intern during his/her stay. Discuss the process with your Human Resources department. The more precise your internship offer is, the better the applications you will get!
2. Send us the details of your offer.
   Once your internship offer is defined, contact us at info@ifb.org.uk. We will store relevant details in our database, and publish on our website only sector, region and length of the offer.
3. Wait for applications to come in!
   Once applications come in, the candidate details will be forwarded directly to you.
4. Get back to candidates.
   Then it’s up to you to select the applicants you would like to interview; please give feedback to all applicants. During interviews, make sure you mutually agree on the internship conditions, dates and next steps.
5. Stay Connected!
   Let us know when the position is filled or whether you would like to update the offer. Once the internship is over, get in touch to let us know how it all went.

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES

Host company: Linney

A sixth generation, world-class, multi-channel marketing services group turning over £100m with circa 1,000 people
Location: Mansfield
www.linney.com

Internships at Linney are available year round across the business. There are no specific internship job roles being advertised, it depends entirely on your skills, mindset etc.
How to apply: you can apply by forwarding your CV to nlinney@linney.com. Offers are made based on the outcome of interviews.

Applicant profile: you may or may not have been to university but ideally you will have travelled and/or had some work experience elsewhere.

Duration of offer: the first 2 weeks are unpaid which can be extended by 2 months paid work which can again potentially be extended by another 4-10 months paid work.

Host company: Western Pension Solutions (“WPS”) https://westernpensionsolutions.com/be-part-of-the-team/

WPS provides strategic advice to family firms on how to manage their legacy defined benefit pension schemes as part of their strategy for the business and their long term objectives as family shareholders. We are headquartered in the City of London, at the home of the Vestey family office and the Heritage Library. We also have a regional presence in Scotland, Yorkshire and the South West.

WPS is part of Vestey Holdings Limited (“VHL”), a pioneering fourth-generation family-owned business with origins stretching back to the 1890s. It’s core business is made up of a group of food companies, which operate globally in a variety of markets. The combined annual turnover of the Group is in excess of £500m. You can find out more about VHL here: https://vesteyholdings.com/

What we are looking for: We are offering a motivated young family business member an opportunity to join our new summer internship programme. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the work that WPS does for family firms and you will also get an insight into how Vestey Holdings operates more broadly as a family enterprise.

Location: London (some travel will be required).

How to apply: To apply for the summer internship, please send a copy of your CV along with a cover letter explaining why you are suited to this role to Helen.Miller@vestey.com

Applicant profile: Young family business members of a multi-generational family firm, who are:

• Currently studying at undergraduate level, or recently graduated with a relevant degree (e.g. business, finance, marketing or law).
• Looking to experience the cultural dynamics and operations of another family business. 
• Interested in pursuing a career in pensions, finance, investment, professional services or general marketing.
• Wanting to understand how the risks relating to legacy defined benefit pension scheme impact their own family business and the strategies that can be developed to manage them.

Duration of offer: 8 weeks, paid (+ expenses) summer internship 2020. Flexible start date.

Next generation member Phoebe Bagnall shares insights from her internship experience and talks about this opportunity at Western Pension Solutions:

INternational internships:

As a member of the IFB, you have exclusive access to the internship opportunities offered by our international family business network, FBN. 

Expanding your opportunities with the unique chance to work in a family business abroad, access the FBN Internship Programme and check what internships are currently available to you!