At Family Business United (FBU), we champion, celebrate and support the family business sector, a cornerstone of national economies the world over and a force for good in communities too.

Celebrating Family Business Excellence

We shine a spotlight on the innovation, resilience and values that make family businesses unique. Through our national awards programmes, we celebrate success and highlight the stories of family firms that exemplify excellence, integrity and long-term thinking. These celebrations not only honour achievement but also inspire others within the sector, demonstrating the power and potential of family enterprise.

Informing and Inspiring Through Storytelling

At the heart of FBU lies a passion for storytelling. We believe that every family business has a story worth telling, from those with centuries of heritage to dynamic start-ups shaping the future. Our editorial features, interviews and digital publications capture these stories, sharing real experiences, lessons learned and insights that unite the family business community and showcase its true diversity.

Amplifying the Family Business Voice

We make sure that news from the family business sector is shared as widely as possible, amplifying the family business voice and recognising the significant contribution family firms make each and every day.

Our team publish hundreds of press releases and news stories, one of numerous benefits afforded to members, that demonstrate what family firms are up to from new investments, products and services to award wins, charitable endeavours and so much more besides.

Building Knowledge and Sharing Insight

Knowledge is key to the success and sustainability of family businesses. Through research, campaigns, reports, and thought-leadership articles, FBU provides practical guidance on the issues that matter most, governance, succession, leadership, strategy, sustainability and more besides. Working with leading academics, professional advisers and industry partners, we ensure that our content is credible, relevant and accessible to businesses at every stage of their journey.

Connecting the Family Business Community

FBU is more than a platform, it is a community. We bring together family business owners, next-generation leaders, advisers and supporters through a dynamic calendar of events, webinars and networking opportunities.

Our flagship events include The Great British Family Business Conference, The Family Business Road Trips (England and Scotland), National Family Business Day, The National Family Business of the Year Awards and the National Family Business Dinner.

We also host plenty of events around the UK where people come together at a family business visit, lunch, dinner, conference or insight event to network, listen and learn, as well as online campaigns too.

These gatherings encourage collaboration, facilitate shared learning and create space for genuine connections, whether between peers facing similar challenges or advisers keen to deepen their understanding of the family business dynamic.

Supporting a Responsible Future

Family businesses have always cared deeply about people, place and purpose. They take long-term decisions, invest in their communities, and act as stewards for future generations. FBU actively promotes these values, encouraging responsible business practice and sustainability as essential elements of continued success. By sharing examples of good practice and encouraging discussion, we help family firms strengthen their legacy for the future.

We also create opportunities for family firms to use services specifically addressing matters that are on their board agenda, such as carbon reduction, recruitment, marketing and apprenticeships to help them build sustainable businesses for the future.

Advocating for the Sector

As a respected voice for the family business community, FBU works to raise awareness of the sector’s economic and social impact. We engage with media, policymakers and the public to dispel myths, promote understanding, and champion the contribution that family firms make every day.

Our advocacy ensures that the importance of family enterprise, from small local firms to global brands, is properly recognised and appreciated.

Family Business United exists to unite the family business community — to celebrate its achievements, support its growth, and ensure its voice is heard.