We are a proud family business that has been operating for over 50 years and are delighted to be ambassadors of this year’s National Family Business Day which takes place on 23rd September.
Family firms come in all sizes and cover all sectors with many having been around for hundreds of years, successfully passing from generation to generation. Found the length and breadth of the UK, family businesses form a key part of the fabric of the communities in which they operate, providing jobs and supporting communities.
There are over five million family businesses in the UK today, generating around a third of the country’s GDP. The family business sector is a vital part of the UK economy and National Family Business Day recognises this and celebrates the contribution of businesses across the country.
Organised annually by Family Business United, the event is now in its eighth year and continues to grow year on year. As Paul Andrews, founder of Family Business United explains:
This is a day to celebrate the family business sector, businesses at the very heart of the nation and across all sectors of the economy too… This diverse sector deserves to be recognised and National Family Business Day is a great way to put the sector on the map.
The past couple of years have been far from easy but family firms across the UK have shown their strength and resilience, adapting to the changing circumstances in which they found new ways of working. Many have developed new routes to markets, new strategies, and continued to invest in their businesses, be it through technology, people, or processes. Family firms have responded well and demonstrated their entrepreneurial spirit and desire and passion to succeed.
Stuart McKenzie, Director at K&S McKenzie Ltd. says:
My father created the business back in 1968 and I learnt from him the value of seizing opportunity, having a fantastic team and supply chain, and importantly on never swaying from the values and focus on service that formed the foundation of this business all those years ago. It is this that drives us forward, builds our customer base, and sets us apart from other firms in the sector.
We are proud to be a family business and to have been part of the UK’s incredible family business community for over 50 years.
Paul concludes:
Family firms have a story to tell, a real narrative borne out of families working in business together, creating a legacy that will hopefully endure for generations. It is this that makes family businesses special along with the underlying values such as passion, drive, integrity and desire to do the right thing time and time again. It may not have been the easiest of years but a day focusing on the family business sector will provide a great opportunity to show our support for the sector.
To find out more about National Family Business Day 2021, click here.