William Whiteley & Sons has been around for a long time, since 1760 to be exact. The business officially began during the forefront of the industrial revolution, although the family believe that it traded even earlier than this. Since 1760, William Whiteley & Sons have been designing and manufacturing beautifully hand-crafted scissors from their home in Sheffield, the birthplace of British steel. Whiteley’s is still family-owned and run today, in the hands of the eleventh a

Family-run commercial textile manufacturing business, The Beal Group, is a group of companies originally founded in Glasgow in 1979 as...

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

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

A vision from an entrepreneurial founder is at the heart of many family businesses and that is certainly the case with the Steggles family. What started out with 10 goats has grown into a destination business with a Farm Shop, Kitchen Goats, Cheese, Skincare Products and much more besides. Paul Andrews spoke to Sam Steggles to find out more. Sam was born on a farm and it is probably true to say that farming was part of his DNA when he was born. Sam loved life on the farm w

In 1996 Chris Salisbury founded Canvasman in the tiny cellar of his Victorian terraced house in Leeds. From its humble beginnings as a one-man-band, the company has since grown to a dedicated team of expert designers, cutters, sewing machinists and fitters, now based in the charming Yorkshire town of Baildon. As well as boat covers, they design and manufacture shade sails, shop canopies, vehicle covers and much more. In fact, this business is all about the canvas so if it

English wine has been an incredible success story over the last decade. There are now almost 900 vineyards in England with production set to double in the next 2 years. England's winemakers produce world-beating sparkling wines and their still white, rosé and red wines are increasingly winning awards at international competitions with an emerging, unique, ‘English style’ of wine. Paul Andrews went to meet Simon and James Hawkins who have set up in business together selling

Lamberts was founded in 1963 by the Grandfather of the current Managing Director, Trina Beare, back in 1963. Paul Andrews spoke to Trina to find out more of their journey as a family firm. Henry Beare founded the business and started what has been a stalwart of the Norwich business community ever since. During the war he was responsible for setting up radar stations on the east coast and worked in Norwich for a business that sold bricks and mortar products before taking on th

Every story has a narrative, a history and a journey and The Cleenol Group is no exception. Celebrating 75 years as a family business but with an entrepreneurial journey that dates back to the 1700’s this is an authentic story of drive, determination and plenty of ups and downs too. Paul Andrews spoke to the fourth generation Managing Director, Sam Greaves to find out more. Sam, like generations before him is entrepreneurial in nature with a desire for continuing developmen