Member Article

New research into family businesses launched

Families in Business (FiB), the organisation dedicated to supporting UK family businesses, has launched its annual survey with the aim of enhancing the information and understanding of the sector and its importance to the UK economy.

The FiB 2014 survey will gather information from UK family businesses about key issues such as ownership and management, governance, strategy and business planning, challenges, opportunities, future innovation and diversification.

Its findings will be released in the FiB Annual Report to be published later this year.

FiB CEO and founder Dani Saveker, formerly the fourth generation to lead her family’s business, explains: “The survey will deliver an insight into what makes UK family businesses tick. Its findings will help us and our community of advisers and professionals to continue to enhance and shape the support we provide this vital sector.

“Family businesses from across the UK and all market sectors, from SMEs to blue chip multinational organisations, are invited to take part. The broader the range of family businesses involved, the more informative the research findings,” explains Dani, “and the survey can be completed by both family members in the business as well as non-family executives.

“As someone from a family business myself, I know that the real value in our research is that we use it to form the basis of better support and advice. Our Annual Report is so much more than merely a list of statistics, facts and figures - it is an informative, working document with tools, advice and guidance for family businesses based on the findings of our research, provided in a practical way with useful information they can implement in their every day life.”

To take part, visit: http://fibcommunity2014.questionpro.com

Family businesses account for two in every three UK private enterprises, with three million family businesses in the UK employing over nine million people that contribute almost a quarter of all GDP to the UK economy and have a combined annual turnover of £1.1 trillion.

Dani adds: “FIB is a community for family businesses and those that influence them, own them, work in, with and for them. Understanding and knowledge is an integral element of our strategy and values, and the survey and our annual report is the cornerstone of this.”

The FiB Community provides a go-to place of understanding and support for family businesses, together with tailored support packages and programmes for its members. It has a growing network that includes professional advisers and supporters of family businesses. FiB is an approved Growth Accelerator Training Provider and its ‘Introduction Workshop: Working with family businesses’ is certified by the CPD certification service.

FiB has pioneered an all-new concept in networking events for family businesses, Ask the Adviser. The 2014 national programme of Ask the Adviser events continues on the 25th April in Nottingham, followed by events in Birmingham, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Leicester and the Black Country.

For more information: contact Dani Saveker, Tel: 07812 99 27 26, Email: dani@fibcommunity.com, or visit www.fibcommunity.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Families in Business (FiB) .