AI is not a future consideration for family businesses. It is a present one. The families who will benefit most from it are the ones willing to engage with it honestly, on their own terms, and with a clear sense of purpose.

Here, we set out the ten issues that are defining the family business agenda in 2026 — and why they matter.

An Inverclyde boat tour operator is setting sail for business growth ahead of the summer tourism season with support from Business Gateway.

From Autumn 2026, subscription businesses will need to operate under significantly stricter rules about how they sign customers up, remind them before renewals and let them cancel.

Family businesses are prioritising near-term financial stability over strengthening resilience, as economic pressures continue to drive their strategic focus, finds Hymans Robertson Personal Wealth.

The modern workplace likes to speak the language of wellbeing. Employers talk about psychological safety, open cultures and purpose-driven leadership. Yet for many workers, the daily reality is far less enlightened. Behind the rhetoric sits a familiar figure: the toxic boss.

Family businesses are renowned for their long-term perspective, values-driven culture, and commitment to legacy. Yet one of the most common challenges for these enterprises is governance—specifically, creating a board that balances family influence with professional oversight.

xit readiness is not about selling tomorrow. It is about building a business that is resilient, valuable and attractive whenever the time is right, whether an exit is planned or unexpected.

The great British retreat from the spare-room office is no longer a boardroom theory; it is a statistical reality.

For many family businesses, the decision to expand overseas represents both an alluring opportunity and a profound test of identity.

Recruitment has always been one of the quiet fault lines running through family businesses.

The advent of artificial intelligence is not just changing how searches are conducted; it is redefining the very way businesses are discovered, evaluated, and chosen by consumers.

For family businesses, crafting a coherent brand narrative is not simply a marketing exercise; it is a strategic imperative.

Leadership misalignment and a culture of risk aversion are holding back responsiveness of UK businesses, according to latest research from Menzies LLP.

As a business owner, have you ever asked yourself how much your business would be worth today? When was the last time you checked the valuation?

For founder-led and family-owned businesses, eCommerce has become one of the most powerful engines of growth.

Balancing business demands with family harmony is both an art and a science. It’s important to nurture family bonds while scaling your business.

Owning a valuable art collection is a source of immense pride and personal satisfaction, but it comes with responsibilities that go far beyond curation and display.

In family and founder-led businesses, senior appointments are not just commercial decisions, but need to be carefully considered to get right.

Succession is not easy and being the son or daughter of the founder does not necessarily qualify you to be the next CEO.