The theme for The Great British Family Business Conference 2018 is Past, Present and Future, the creation of family businesses to stand the test of time.

Join us in London for our flagship national family business conference that is now in its sixth year and not only does it bring the family business together, it provides a great opportunity to discuss some of the unique challenges facing family firms and to hear insights from other family business people and their advisers who have already dealt with some of these challenges too.

New for 2018 The event is going to include the Family Business Market Place, an opportunity for family businesses to take one of the 22 'market stalls' in the networking to promote their products and services to a friendly audience. Exhibitors for the event already include Ridgeview Winery Estate, Easigrass, Wyke Farms, Husk & Honey Granola and Plan Insurance.

Great speakers. Great insights. Great value.

A safe place to learn and plenty of time for questions and networking too!

8.00 - Registration and Coffee

8.15 - Investment Update Commences

9.15 - The Great British Family Business Conference Commences

Speakers include:

Welcome Address - Family Businesses As A Force For Good - Peter Villax
British-educated, second-generation shareholder and executive in a Portuguese pharmaceutical business, Peter’s interests range from science and technology startups to promoting family businesses as the best form of property ownership and management. Peter is also the President of the Portuguese Family Business Association and recognises the significant force for good that family business represents globally.
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Opening Keynote - Building A Sustainable Family Business - Richard Clothier
Third generation family farmer and Managing Director of Wyke Farms, Richard Clothier, will share their family business journey through cheese and how the importance of building a sustainable business continues to influence the evolution of this award-winning family firm.

Family Business Insight - Painting For Generations
HMG Paints was stablished in 1930 and has grown to become the UK’s Largest Independent Paint Manufacturer. Offering innovative and compliant paints and powder coatings to a variety of markets all backed up with outstanding technical support and customer service. This award-winning family business is constantly looking to innovate and the next generation are already involved in the business. Jonathan Falder and his cousin Rebecca Falder will provide an insight into their award-winning family firm and share their story as the next generation who are already making their mark.

Panel - Importance of Good Governance - Juliette Johnson
Leading UK family business consultant Juliette Johnson is moderating a plenary session on the challenges associated with governance in the family firm. Juliette will be joined by Cath Grant from The Entertainer and Sara Robinson from Frederic Robinson Breweries to explore some of the challenges.​

Discussion - The Missing Middle - Sian Steele
Sian Steele, Head of UK Family Business at PwC is chairing a session that focuses on the need for family firms to focus on the strategic direction of the family firm. Family business owners can get caught up in the day to day operational aspects of leading the business but need to focus ON the business too. Sian will be joined by Geoffrey Bibby from the Bibby Group to explore the issue further.

Workshops include:

1 - Moving Towards a Key Transition
Whether passing on to the next generation, considering an MBO, selling the family firm or taking third party investment for growth, this workshop will help to address some of the key considerations. Jim Keeling of Corbett-Keeling will chair this interactive session and will be joined by Liz Colleran, director of family owned Duvalay amongst others.

2 - The Role of Non-Executive Directors and the Need for a Balanced Board
A growing concern for many family business owners as they seek to further enhance the skills of their leadership team. This workshop will identify some of the things that need to be considered when selecting, engaging and retaining directors and non-executive directors and will be chaired by David Johnson of Leaders Matter.

3 - Wealth and the Need For Responsible Owners
Looking at how families in business can engender the right values in the next generation to help them deal with the roles, in or out of the business, that come with being associated with a successful family firm. Preventing issues of 'entitlement' is becoming a concern for many and the need to help educate the next generation to become responsible and to recognise what being a stakeholder in the business means. This workshop will help to address some of the challenges that familes face in the world today.

4 - Creating a Powerful Family Business Brand
Harnessing the full potential of the history and heritage of the family behind the business can be powerful and help to create a real competitive advantage in the market place. Alex Bane of Taxi Studio will highlight some of the ways that family businesses can unlock their potential and use their unique values and story to help build a sustainable family business brand for the future.

5 - The Family Business Leaders Forum
This workshop is exclusively for family business Managing Directors and CEO's and will be facilitated by David Dickson who has many years experience of working with and advising family boards and directors. Places are limited for this workshop and delegates will be able to secure their place after registering for the conference. This forum will provide a unique opportunity to meet a group of fellow leaders and to discuss the things that matter to you today.

Closing Keynote Session - Family Firm Fit For Purpose

Andy Rubin, Chairman of Pentland Group, the family owned group responsible for brands such as Berghaus and Speedo, will share an insight into the Pentland journey and how they are building a family firm fit for the 21st century.

4.30 - Close

We work hard to create innovative events to help family business owners deal with the challenges they face, providing opportunities to hear from others who have dealt with similar challenges and who are prepared to share their stories for the benefit of others.

Family business members often feel 'they are alone' and we are always delighted when delegates tell us they have gained an insight into addressing something that until then they felt they were the only ones facing.

The Great British Family Business is a must in the family business calendar and provides numerous opportunities for family firms to learn, share and feel part of a vibrant community that is at the very heart of the British economy too.

Tickets are non-refundable but may be transferred to somebody else to attend the event.

This event is brought to you by Family Business United and is supported by our sponsors:

PwC
Farrer & Co
Corbett Keeling
Taxi Studio
Seven Investment Management