In a climate as demanding as the one we operate in today, inaction is not caution. It is a choice and it carries consequences that compound quietly until they become impossible to ignore.

Growth is not the enemy of what makes family businesses special. Thoughtless growth is. The difference, ultimately, comes down to intention and the willingness to keep asking, at every stage of the journey, not just how big, but how.

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.

There is a moment that many family business owners recognise, though few can quite articulate when it happened. It is the moment a customer, an employee, or a prospective partner says something like "I've always bought from you lot" or "my grandmother used this brand." And in that moment, something clicks.

Family values are not a relic of the founding era or a marketing tool dusted off for award entries, they are a living thread that runs through everything the business does.

Most family businesses do not fail because they make bad commercial decisions. They fail because the family falls apart.

How a family business manages the sibling dynamic can determine not just whether the working relationship survives, but whether the business itself does.

The release of Deloitte Private’s second report in its Family Business Insights Series: Family Business Cybersecurity, 2025 examines how family businesses are addressing one of the most pressing challenges of the digital era: cyber threats.

Family Business United is delighted to announce the launch of the second issue of Bitesize, its official digital magazine, created to deliver timely insight, inspiration and practical thinking for the family business community. Published throughout the year and distributed widely across the Family Business United network and the broader family business ecosystem, Bitesize has been designed as an accessible and engaging resource for family business owners, leaders, next-genera

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.

As Rowlinsons marks its centenary, the story of the business stands as a powerful example of how a family firm can evolve, diversify and endure, while remaining true to its roots. The Rowlinson story begins with determination and hard work. James Rowlinson left school at the age of just twelve and found employment sweeping floors for a timber merchant. His work ethic and aptitude soon saw him rise through the ranks to become a timber salesman. By the early 1920s, he had made

Check out the short film from The Great British Family Business Conference 2026 where over 220 delegates from the world of family business came together to listen, share, learn and network. The film truly captures the essence of the day and the atmosphere throughout and provides a good flavour of the nature and content of the event as well as the underlying purpose of Family Business United too. Find out more about The Great British Family Business Conference 2027 and book yo

The release of Deloitte Private’s Family Business Insights Series: Defining the Family Business Landscape, 2025 reveals how family-owned businesses are evolving to fuel long-term growth. Based on a survey of 1,587 family businesses across 36 countries and in-depth interviews with 30 senior executives, the research explores how family businesses are navigating a complex market landscape through innovation, strategic expansion, and leadership transformation. Key Takeaways Among

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.

UK professionals are racing to upskill in artificial intelligence, data analysis and human-centric capabilities as businesses struggle to keep pace with technology’s rapid evolution.

In today’s marketplace, a brand is far more than a logo or a tagline—it is the story that communicates who you are, what you stand for, and why you exist.

With emotion, legacy, and strategy all intertwined, successful succession requires foresight, structure, and a willingness to confront difficult truths.

As family businesses a balance must be maintained between preserving the family business legacy and allowing individual family members the freedom to pursue their own ambitions.

Robust risk management procedures are therefore not a bureaucratic exercise, but a vital discipline that helps family enterprises survive, grow and pass successfully from one generation to the next.