We now live in a world where the environment is front and centre, discussions are taking place in board rooms around the world about carbon emissions, reducing our collective carbon footprint and making sure we are doing business in as many ways as possible to reduce the environmental impact of our actions too. In this world where environmental concerns are at the forefront, the circular economy has emerged as a beacon of hope, reshaping the way we produce, consume, and disca

Businesses must adopt new ways of thinking to fully understand the threats posed by climate change and to create more effective, impactful ways of reducing their carbon footprints, according to new research from Imperial College Business School. The study, conducted by Dr Simone Cenci and Matteo Burato of the Leonardo Centre for Business on Society at Imperial College Business School, explored how organisations currently think and act in regards to tackling climate change, an

ScotlandShop was founded back in 2002 by Anna White and despite being a relatively young family business is a business that is steeped in the history of Scotland and the tartans for which the nation is known globally. Over the past 20 years so much has happened. Paul Andrews caught up with founder Anna White in their new head office in Duns in the Scottish Borders to find out more. This is a story of entrepreneurship, dedication to a business and a desire to succeed but und

As a family business owner, you’ve dedicated years of hard work and commitment to building a legacy. Now, you’re facing a pivotal moment: the decision to sell your family business. Navigating this complex process can be daunting, but you can confidently move forward with the right corporate finance advisor. Understanding The Role Of A Corporate Finance Advisor Corporate finance advisors are experts who specialise in providing financial consulting solutions tailored to busines

BE Uniforms, formerly known as Border Embroideries, was founded by Billy and Shirley Anne Smillie in 1989 using a single head embroidery machine purchased with the help of the Prince's Trust. With around 30 years of experience supplying schools, businesses and clubs across the UK and beyond, BE Uniforms have become one of the UK's leading specialist uniform suppliers from their purpose-built factory based in the Scottish Borders. Paul Andrews went to meet William and Ross Sm

When Clement Brewer opened the first Brewers Decorator Centre in 1904, his ambition was to supply the professional decorator with everything they needed for the perfect finish. Fast forward over a century and Brewers are open to all at over 220 locations and online, supplying decorators from professionals through to DIY customers, with the right products for decorating across the UK. Simon Brewer is the fourth-generation family member to lead the business which remains true

As a fourth generation family business, the family of innovators at The Fine Bedding Company have spent more than 100 years investing in better bedding. Woven in the finest luxury materials, and responsibly manufactured in their European Eco-factory, their bedding is premium quality and made to last. A certified B-Corporation, Paul Andrews met the next generation to lead the business, Claire Watkin, to find out more and gain a better understanding of the substance behind th

In 1973, a young Pat Gallagher, encouraged and supported by his good friend Pat Burke, purchased his first digger. Fast forward fifty years and it is incredible to see where the journey has taken them and resulted in the creation of one of the largest and most recognizable family-run businesses in Kent. Pat is still heavily involved in the business today. Paul Andrews caught up with him to find out more. Pat was born in 1949 in Ballinamore in Ireland to hardworking parents

After it was revealed almost nine in ten cyber-attacks are caused by human error, experts have named five ways organisations can guard themselves against staff mistakes. IT experts from HostingSystems.co.uk have issued a warning to UK businesses after it was revealed 88% of cyber breaches were caused by preventable employee mistakes. Now they have named the five most common, and easily preventable, mistakes made by businesses which could leave them exposed to criminals. T

World Photography Day takes place on Saturday 19th of August. The photography industry is constantly changing and developing, witnessing some remarkable development since Joseph Niépce captured the first-known photographic image in the early 19th century. World Photography Day presents an opportunity to look how far photography has come and celebrate some of the most influential figures in the industry. “It’s amazing to think just how much photography has developed over a rel

Marion Darlington started making her award-winning range of products in the 1980’s and now in her 80’s she still verses all recipe creation in the family business which is now run by her daughter, Sarah. Paul Andrews went to meet Sarah to find out more. This is a family business that literally started around the kitchen table. A surplus of eggs from the family farm led Marion to use them up by making batches of Lemon Curd. As Sarah explains, “At that time 100 jars was a ty

Kent’s original vineyard, Biddenden, is now run by the second and third generation of the Barnes family, drawing on many years of pioneering activities making wines at Biddenden. Originally home to a 40 acre apple orchard, the family started to consider diversifying the farm in the late 1960’s as apple prices began to decline. In 1969, one third of an acre of vines was planted and Biddenden Vineyards was born. Paul Andrews spoke to Julian and Tom Barnes, the second and third

From a one-man start up in 1971 to becoming one of London’s leading dairy suppliers the Allan Reeder story is simply incredible. A family business full of entrepreneurial spirit, drive, perseverance and desire to succeed and despite their success they have never lost the personal touch, something that means so much to the family and the business to this day. Paul Andrews spoke to founder Allan Reeder and his daughter Heidi to find out more. Since day one, they have always dea

Prime Appointments (‘Prime’) are a family-owned and family-run recruitment agency, who believe in doing things differently. They’re committed to building long-term partnerships that boost their clients business and contribute to the growth of the economy in their local area. Paul Andrews spoke to the family to find out more. The Prime journey began over a glass of wine in the local pub when two Witham girls decided to make their dream a reality. Robyn Holmes’ and Margaret Lo

Fear is a primal emotion that has characterised human nature from the very dawn of evolution. It is a basic yet crucial emotion that is important to survival, triggering a response designed to keep us safe from threats and dangers. In this respect, it is fair to say that it is a valuable sentiment to experience from time to time, as it guarantees we are as secure as can be in specific circumstances. We spoke to Dominic Fitch, Head of Creative Change at Impact International ,

How can you keep up with the ever-changing requirements of digital marketing? We spoke to Cristina Plamadeala from Toastmasters International who shares her thoughts below. “I have found that the The Golden Circle concept outlined in Simon Sinek’s book, Start with Why is a huge help. By applying the three Gold Circle principles to digital marketing, businesses can create a more impactful message that connects with their audience.” Principle 1 The first principle is why refe

Trillions of texts are sent every day (we’re going to define text messaging as a wide catch-all for SMS and chat apps such as WhatsApp, Viber etc.) and it is a technology we are very comfortable with. However, it took a long time before it found regular use in getting content from businesses and organisations (of all types, shapes and sizes) to clients, members, prospects, team members etc. These days, it is commonplace for people to receive SMS from businesses, with the cont

Not all family businesses are alike, and there are multiple ways to highlight their strengths through the brand. Here are four ways to build a brand strategy around a family business. There are recognised benefits to being a family business: a sense of personal connection, trust and responsibility. Many firms have discovered the value of the family at the heart of what they do, and use it successfully in their branding. Here are four common approaches for incorporating family

Dominic and Maria O’Neill launched O’Neill Classics 2018 and recently opened a stunning gallery in the heart of Weybridge, Surrey to showcase a fabulous collection of iconic photographs that were taken by Dominic’s father, Desmond O’Neill. Paul Andrews met them to find out more. Desmond was an eminent photographer who travelled the world capturing his subjects and was renowned for photographing the jet set and high society. His career started as a photographer working for the

Handmade chocolate gifts are special. At Rumsey’s they believe that handmade chocolate is something special and want to help people experience it, not just eat it. All their chocolates are made by hand in small batches from their chocolateries in the Chilterns. And, in an unusual twist for a family business, Rumseys is now run by the daughter-in-law of the founders, Kate Rumsey, who Paul Andrews met to find out more. The idea for the business started to evolve in 2001 in the