Celebrating Apprentices Driving Growth & Leadership In Family Firms

Family Business United (FBU) is marking National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (NAW2026) by celebrating the vital contribution apprentices make within family-owned businesses across the UK.

Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of FBU, said the campaign highlights both the depth of talent emerging from family firms and the long-term outlook that defines the sector. “Family businesses are the engine room of the UK economy,” he said. “They take a long-term view, investing across their operations as they seek to build sustainable businesses for generations to come."

"Investing in apprentices is a key part of that commitment, and it is a pleasure to share the stories of apprentices working in family firms during National Apprenticeship Week.”

One of the businesses featured in the campaign is Shepherd Neame, Britain’s oldest brewer. Founded in 1698, Shepherd Neame has been crafting beers at its historic site in the medieval market town of Faversham for more than 300 years. Today, the family business operates around 300 pubs and hospitality venues through a mix of tenanted and managed models.

David Everett, Apprenticeship Lead at Shepherd Neame, said investment in people is central to the company’s long-term success. “Shepherd Neame is committed to developing and investing in its people,” he said.

“We are proud to have partnered with industry-leading training provider HIT Training to create a range of bespoke apprenticeships across our managed pubs, hotels, support office and brewery."

"Our apprenticeship programme is designed to empower our people to achieve their career goals by building skills and earning recognised qualifications.”

Among those benefiting from the programme is Claire Illman, who has completed a Level 5 Operations or Departmental Manager apprenticeship and is now undertaking a Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship.

“Being an apprentice has given me the chance to return to education,” Claire said. “I hadn’t done any formal learning since 1993, but I had a real desire to improve my performance and my team’s success, particularly by learning how to coach and mentor staff effectively."

"Most importantly, this has been about my professional and personal growth and making a real difference at work.”

She said working within a family business has been a key part of her development. “I’m seen as an individual—an extended part of the family. It’s inspiring when the CEO knows you by name, and I’ve been able to grow with the support of management and my colleagues.”

Claire added that the apprenticeship has expanded her professional network and exposed her to best practice across multiple industries. She said the benefits have been wide-ranging, from improved leadership and teamwork to greater confidence in decision-making, increased empathy and patience, and a renewed commitment to staff development.

“It’s made me a strong advocate for training and development,” she said, pointing to her support for initiatives such as WSET courses, customer service apprenticeships and attendance at trade fairs. The programme has also inspired her to become more actively involved in Shepherd Neame’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion initiatives, including staff wellbeing, neurodiversity and workplace improvement groups.

As National Apprenticeship Week 2026 continues, stories like Claire’s underline the message at the heart of Family Business United’s campaign: apprenticeships are not only helping individuals build successful careers, but are also playing a crucial role in securing the future and legacy of the UK’s family businesses for generations to come.