The limited edition XPA - Extra Pale Ale – is a hazy, full-bodied golden beer. It is a New World-style XPA as it uses Cascade, Centennial, Citra, and Nugget hops from the US, which provide the beer with bold citrus and tropical flavours, along with a touch of spice. These are combined with UK-sourced malts and water drawn from the artesian well underneath Shepherd Neame’s historic Faversham Brewery. New World XPA boasts an eye-catching deep orange keg lens, designed to stand out on the bar, incorporating a subtle outline of Faversham Creek, a stone’s throw from the brewery.   It is the third in Shepherd Neame’s new Small Batch range of limited edition, craft keg beers, created on a 15 barrel kit installed in the heart of the brewery. The first brew was First Drop Session IPA (4.3% ABV) , released in October, which has now been incorporated as a permanent addition to Shepherd Neame’s portfolio, and Unfiltered Pilsner (4.4% ABV), unveiled in April.   Director of Brewing Mike Unsworth said: “Our team are really enjoying being able to experiment with new styles and flavours in the new Small Batch brewery. We are incredibly proud of our latest creation, New World XPA, a punchy pale ale crafted to appeal to drinkers who enjoy a hop-forward pint." "Customers have given us great feedback on the beers created in our Small Batch brewery so far, and we look forward to continuing to use the kit to develop more great beers and showcase our brewing skills.”   New World XPA is now available in selected Shepherd Neame pubs across Kent, London and the South East. Find your local here :

National Family Business Day, celebrated annually on the third Thursday in September, takes place on September 19 and is a significant occasion in the UK, dedicated to recognising the invaluable contributions of family-run enterprises to the country's economy and communities. These businesses, often passed down through generations, embody the values of heritage, resilience, and innovation. Family businesses form the bedrock of the UK's economy. They account for a staggering 88% of all private sector firms, employing over 12 million people and contributing billions of pounds to the national GDP. These businesses span a diverse range of industries, from small local shops and restaurants to large multinational corporations, showcasing the breadth and depth of family entrepreneurship. One of the hallmarks of family businesses is their ability to adapt and thrive through economic cycles, technological advancements, and societal changes. This resilience is often attributed to their long-term vision, strong values, and deep community ties. Unlike publicly traded companies, family businesses tend to prioritize sustainability and legacy over short-term profits, ensuring their longevity. National Family Business Day is an opportunity to celebrate the success stories of family businesses across the UK. Companies like Walkers Shortbread, Tunnocks, Thatchers Cider, Wyke Farms and JCB have become household names, renowned for their quality, innovation, and commitment to their employees and communities. These success stories serve as an inspiration to other family businesses, highlighting the potential for growth and impact. Despite their significant contributions, family businesses face unique challenges. Succession planning, maintaining family harmony, and balancing tradition with innovation are just a few of the complexities they navigate. National Family Business Day provides a platform to address these issues with networking opportunities to support family businesses in overcoming their challenges and seizing new opportunities. Family Business United (FBU) plays a crucial role in organising National Family Business Day and advocating for family-run enterprises. Founded by Paul Andrews, FBU is dedicated to promoting the interests of family businesses through various initiatives and resources. They provide a platform for these businesses to share their stories, celebrate their successes, and address their challenges. FBU's efforts include: Awareness Campaigns : Highlighting the importance and impact of family businesses on social media, in the press, and through their own channels. Educational Resources : Offering webinars, articles, and guides to help family businesses navigate issues such as succession planning, governance, and innovation. Networking Opportunities : Facilitating connections among family business owners, allowing them to share experiences and strategies. FBU's commitment to family businesses ensures that their contributions are recognised and that they receive the support needed to thrive. On National Family Business Day, communities across the UK come together to celebrate the achievements of family businesses, with plenty of activities on social media using the hashtag #GBFamilyBizDay and in person events including a National Family Business Day Dinner all aimed at highlighting the positive impact of these businesses on society. A full marketing campaign pack is available to help family businesses and those working with family businesses make the most of the day too. As the UK continues to navigate the complexities of the modern economic landscape, family businesses remain a pillar of stability and innovation. National Family Business Day is not just a day of celebration, but also a call to action to support and nurture these enterprises, ensuring they continue to thrive for generations to come. Paul Andrews, CEO of Family Business United, emphasises the day's significance: "National Family Business Day is a vital opportunity to shine a light on the remarkable contributions of UK family firms. These businesses are the backbone of our economy and our communities, and their dedication and hard work deserve recognition." "We celebrate the resilience and innovation of family businesses, and we are committed to supporting them in navigating their unique challenges. This day is a testament to their enduring legacy and an affirmation of their crucial role in our society and it is a fantastic day to celebrate their impact on the national economy too." We champion and celebrate the family business sector each and every day but it the creation of a national day that shines a spotlight on the sector for all to see really does amplify the family business voice across the nation. Family firms really do put the GREAT into Great Britain."

The thriving health and care division of independent insurance broking and risk management specialist, TL Dallas, has secured several new client wins, including a £140m turnover care group that has 63 homes across the UK. The division has a team of eight brokers with more than 100 years’ combined industry experience based across offices in Bradford, Lincoln and London. Account executive, James Bright moved to TL Dallas from Marsh Commercial last year along with Rico Young, to further strengthen the UK wide proposition. James said: “Our expert broking team and longstanding insurer relationships combined with our own in-house claims team, gives us a compelling offering for operators in the health and care sector." “With great interdepartmental collaboration at TL Dallas, clients benefit from working with a larger independent broker, but with one dedicated point of contact, and we also deal with any claims internally, rather than outsourcing them. We therefore appeal to both smaller independent health and care operators, as well as large multi-site businesses, and we have the expertise and capability to manage all types of clients in this sector.” Clients include care homes, domiciliary care providers, supported living and day care providers, children’s homes, foster care agencies, hospices, retirement homes, dental practices and GP surgeries, as well as providers of complementary and alternative therapies. James added: “We provide a ground up gap analysis review of all current and recommended ancillary policies including motor-fleet, property, management liability and cyber insurance to ensure any potential gaps in cover are addressed. We are highly focused on mitigating the risks that businesses face in the health and care sector, including medical malpractice and professional indemnity to protect our client and their business.” TL Dallas has over the past 18 months, partnered with a number of care associations, which are independent membership groups. The partnerships allow TL Dallas to share knowledge around risk management as well as health and safety guidance, to help clients navigate claims. TL Dallas also works closely with other industry experts including solicitors, risk management professionals and Care Quality Commission (CQC) advisors to help provide a wealth of knowledge and relevant guidance to clients. Polly Staveley, managing director at TL Dallas, said: "We have been working in the health and care sector for over 20 years, but since last year have increased our focus on creating a dedicated division for this. The positive feedback and testimonials from our clients alongside the relationships the team have built in the health and care sector, have resulted in several client referrals including this most recent client win, and we look forward to continuing to grow our offering in this sector.”

With the eyes of the world on Wimbledon, the experts at Arco Professional Safety Services have been working to ensure the safety of people working behind the scenes. Arco has been providing fall protection services and working at height training for the Championships since 2019, helping to ensure the safety of maintenance and cleaning staff, camera and lighting crews, and others working in areas where there is a risk of falling. For the past five years, Arco's team of working at height specialists have been instrumental in installing and annually testing and recertifying vital fall protection systems at the world-famous All England Club, including on Centre Court and Courts 1 and 2. Matthew Glass, fall protection manager at Arco Professional Safety Services, said: “By testing and certifying the fall protection systems and providing essential work at height training, Arco plays an important role in the smooth and safe operation of the Wimbledon championships." “With our support, the Wimbledon team can focus on delivering a world-class sporting event, knowing that Arco, the Experts in Safety, are helping them meet the highest safety standards.” In preparation for this year’s tournament, Arco has meticulously inspected around a dozen different fall protection assets, including RoofSafe and 3M horizontal lifeline systems, Soll Pivitloc ladder systems, fall arrest anchor points, fixed ladders, and self-retracting lifeline fall arrest blocks. Arco’s highly skilled trainers have also provided training in rooftop safety and rescue from height, allowing the Wimbledon team to safely access the court roofs to maintain lighting, banners and other equipment. Workers have to be retrained in rescue from height every year and rooftop safety every three years. In addition to Wimbledon, Arco Professional Safety Services provides fall protection services and working at height training for some of the UK’s top attractions. This year alone, Arco experts have installed vital safety systems for LEGOLAND Windsor Resort’s new minifigure Speedway rollercoaster[i] and Thorpe Park’s brand new Hyperia ride[ii]. Arco Professional Safety Services provide consultancy, training, services and equipment to manage the most complex and high-risk, hazardous scenarios. Find out more at here.

Leading artisan flatbreads, falafel and baklawa supplier Dina Foods is celebrating being named Food & Drink sector winner at the high-profile Family Business of the Year Awards 2024, held in London on June 19. The baker and food manufacturer stood out for an “unequivocal passion for the food they produce and their strong sense of community and family,” in the hotly contested category, according to the Awards’ organisers. This ethos manifests itself daily in the quality of the food, bread and confectionery products Dina produces, to delight the trade and their shoppers and consumers. London-based Dina Foods was founded by the Haddad family in 1992 and has been instrumental in popularising Lebanese cuisine in the UK. It continues to bring authentic, artisan products to popular attention, supplying supermarkets, small shops and foodservice customers. The company now employs 160 people and has three state-of-the-art production sites in London, which it continues to further expand and upgrade to meet growing demand. Dina Foods plans to increase its range with major supermarkets in the UK in the next year with particular focus on its bespoke Paninette® flatbread and baklawa confectionery both of which will show strong growth, following new listings with major retailers. It will also be building on its export success to date, exporting goods into the European market. The family remains at the heart of the operation and in addition to the three founding brothers and directors, Suheil, Fadi and Samir Haddad, Dina Foods has developed the next generation of family members to continue the proud tradition of service and product excellence. Project manager Wilda Haddad, one of the second generation in the business, comments: “We are delighted to win this Award which recognises our commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship and the strong sense of community in our family business.”

Family Business United has compiled a listing of the top Family Business Apprentice Employers since 2022 and the search has now begun to find the leading family firms investing in the future of their workforce. If you had 5 or more apprentices working in your family firm as of June 30, 2024 you are eligible for inclusion in the report. Simply complete the short online form with your data and the team at Family Business United will be in touch to finalise your involvement. The information requested on the form is simply, as at June 30, 2024:   The total number of employees in the business The total number of apprentices in the business The total number of new apprentices starting their apprenticeship in the year to June 30, 2024 The total number of apprentices completing their apprenticeship in the year to June 30, 2024   In addition, there is the option to provide a quote on the role of apprentices within your business which will be incorporated into the report. Complete the form here Check out the report from 2023 here Submissions are sought from all corners of the UK and the final report will represent the best in terms of the number of apprentices, the creation of new apprenticeships and the number of apprentices completing and graduating from their apprenticeships. Entries are open to family businesses employing more than five apprentices and are analysed and ranked on a number of different factors which were consolidated to determine the final listing.   As Paul Andrews, Founder and Managing Director of Family Business United adds, “Family businesses are innovative and entrepreneurial and it is great to see so many providing apprenticeships. Each report clearly demonstrates the commitment of family firms to invest in the next generation of their staff and that there are a significant number of apprenticeship opportunities within the family business sector. We look forward to compiling the Family Business Apprentice Employers Report for 2024."

This Plastic Free July, award-winning national decorating contractors Bagnalls is doing its bit to protect our planet. Small actions can have a big impact and Bagnalls now recycles 44.5 tonnes of plastic and metal through Crown Trade’s Can Back scheme. The scheme enables painters and decorators to recycle empty paint cans, completely free of charge. Instead of sending empty paint cans to landfill, programmes like Crown Trade’s Can Back scheme recycle the plastic and metal paint pots and repurpose the materials elsewhere. Crown Trade proudly stocks a number of their products across their range in packaging crafted from 100% post-consumer waste (PCW) plastic. This reduces the need for raw materials, driving the circular economy for the full lifecycle of the product range. Ben Featherstone, Sustainability Coordinator at Bagnalls, comments “Crown’s Can Back scheme has helped us recycle 44.5 tonnes of empty plastic and metal cans – a 14% increase in the number of cans we were able to recycle in 2022. These cans would previously have gone to landfill, but can now be used by manufacturers to make new paint cans.” Bagnalls is also proud to have been able to use Graphenstone paint at a recent project at Church House in London. This specialist paint actually absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as it is applied to a surface, combining aesthetics with sustainability. “By using Graphenstone paint, we have absorbed seven tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere” adds Ben. “However, we know there is still more work to be done – this is why we’ve set considered targets for the future. We aim to recycle 90% of our paint cans and continue to work with manufacturers to find methods to recycle cans that cannot currently be recycled." “We’re aiming to do our bit for the planet, making sure we make the sustainable choice where possible and striving to be kind to the environment, while still delivering high-quality painting and decorating projects to our valued customers.”

SensationALL, a charity dedicated to supporting people with neurodivergent and complex conditions, has received an unexpected £1,000 donation from Allied Parts’ charitable arm, the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust. The donation was made possible through the recommendation of John Forbes, Manager at Allied Parts Aberdeen Hub. John learned about the charity through friends whose daughter is on the autistic spectrum and has attended SensationALL sessions. This contribution will support the charity's efforts in providing tailored activity sessions, social groups, and advisory services to enhance the lives of those with developmental delays, sensory processing issues, and other challenges. Lisa Grainger, Fundraising & Marketing Manager at SensationALL, expressed the organisations appreciation for the surprise donation, saying: “SensationALL is so grateful to Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust for their generous donation which will be used towards the cost of running vital sensory play sessions and social groups for youngsters in the Aberdeenshire area. Our services are in high demand, and we are working hard to accommodate more individuals with complex conditions like Autism and ADHD who need specialist support in order to thrive in life.” The funds will be used to continue providing SensationALL's services in Westhill and Aberdeen, ensuring that individuals and families receive the support they need in a safe and nurturing environment. Expressing his pride in the donation, John said: "I have seen first-hand the impact of what SensationALL does and organizations like this are becoming an increasingly important resource for families living with neurodivergent conditions. Their commitment to support individuals of all ages, all conditions and all members of their family is truly remarkable and aligns with Allied’s mission to make a tangible difference to people’s lives. We are proud to contribute to their valuable work."

Witham Recruitment Agency Has Raised £234,875 of the £250,000 Total and Been Recognised with an East Anglia Fundraising Award Prime Appointments, a family-run recruitment agency in Witham, has recently been recognised for their exceptional fundraising efforts at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising East Anglia Awards. This recognition is a wonderful way to acknowledge the company's dedication and drive to raise money and awareness for a cause that is close to the founder, Robyn Holme's, heart. Robyn established the recruitment agency in 1992 alongside her best friend, Margaret Locke. Together, they played a crucial role in the company's early development. Unfortunately, Margaret was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2008, which forced her to leave the business shortly thereafter. Despite this, the company continued to thrive, and in 2016, we relocated to a custom-built office in Witham, just a short distance from our original location on Newland Street. Today, the company operates as a family business, with Robyn's son Jack and daughter Katie contributing to its future growth. Additionally, we recently opened a new office in Bury St Edmunds to better serve our clients in Suffolk. Robyn says: "We chose the Alzheimer’s Society because of the charity's commitment to not only helping those affected by the disease but also, importantly, no one else was doing more research work to ultimately try and find a cure for the disease than the Alzheimer’s Society." Prime began fundraising in 2018 with an initial target of £10,000. This target was reached very quickly, so the goal was raised to £100,000 and eventually £250,000. The team at Prime Appointments has done everything from skydiving to marathons. They have also been joined by friends, family, and business partners who have participated in events ranging from cycling from Geneva to London to a full Ironman! One of the major fundraising efforts each year is the Prime Appointments Golf Day, which last year raised a mammoth £78,155 and this year an incredible £21,600. This year, there were 19 teams who took part in the day, and the weather was very kind to them. This was the fourth Golf Day run by the company and included a speech by Fiona Carragher, Director of Research and Influencing at Alzheimer’s Society, or as she called herself, "The Director of Hope." Her speech gave everyone a better understanding of the research Alzheimer’s Society is doing and the progress of Lecanemab, which slows down the progression of the disease. Please support us in our pledge to continue to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. Whatever you can donate will be incredibly worthwhile in our bid to eliminate this cruel disease. Please donate here .

Williams Racing will display the names of all 1,005 team members in a spectacular Union Jack livery for the British Grand Prix this weekend as part of a series of home race celebration events. The FW46 raced by Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant at Silverstone will be transformed to fly the flag in thanks and appreciation to everyone at the team’s Grove HQ, New York and London bases and at races who are working tirelessly on our mission to return the team to the front of the grid. Their names have been intricately woven into the red, white and blue engine cover design which crowns a week of special events and activities for Williams’ home race. The team have repeatedly demonstrated exceptional teamwork and resilience under pressure this season, and the livery pays tribute to the enormous human effort it takes to race in Formula 1. In a separate addition, Manchester-based team partner THG will see its Myprotein brand featured on the rear wing as a one-off British GP special. Continuing the celebrations trackside, Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge will join the team to lay on a feast for Williams’ guests at Silverstone. The world-famous cook will prepare a menu in the team motorhome across the weekend showcasing the Best of British produce. On track, Williams’ home-race efforts will be spearheaded by London-born Alex Albon in Formula 1 and Brits Zak O’Sullivan in Formula 2 and Luke Browning in Formula 3. Williams Racing Driver Academy F2 racer Franco Colapinto will drive Logan’s FW46 in FP1 after a strong start to his rookie F2 season. Fans will also be treated to a star of Williams’ heritage collection as Jenson Button is reunited with his first-ever F1 car, the Williams FW22 from 2000, for a series of demonstration runs. Away from track, Williams’ commitment to providing unrivalled access and experiences for fans will be in full swing. Our London Fan Zone, presented by Kraken, will be located at the iconic Piccadilly Circus right in the heart of the capital and will feature appearances from Alex Albon, Logan Sargeant, Team Principal James Vowles, Jenson Button, and the Williams Academy F2 Driver Zak O’Sullivan. An innovative Augmented Reality experience, ‘Where is Williams’, will take fans on a virtual treasure hunt around London landmarks in search of Williams memorabilia, with the overall winner securing a British race experience for two. Special Silverstone caps and t-shirts celebrating Williams’ heritage will be available to buy, and Friday will see the first release of a limited-edition whisky from our licensing partnership with Coachbuilt Whisky – co-founded by Jenson Button – which will commemorate the Constructors’ Championship-winning FW18 from 1996 that also delivered Damon Hill the Drivers’ title. Fans attending the race at Silverstone will be able to test their driving skills in our Williams Racing simulators, located next to the Silverstone UTC on the outside of the track opposite the National Circuit pits. We will also be continuing our long-standing commitment to opening up access to Formula 1 and inspiring the next generation to consider a career in motorsport by bringing a range of F1 exhibits to an F1 family day in Silverstone village on Thursday. Families will be able to get up close to race suits, tyres, helmets and carbon fibre, as well as pose for pictures on a Williams winners podium. And the celebrations will continue once the race is over as Williams heads to the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed – a marquee event of the British summer season. F1 drivers Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant, Team Principal James Vowles and F1 Academy starlet Lia Block will all take to the wheel of the 1982 Drivers’ Championship-winning FW08 at the annual showpiece celebration of motorsport. Team Principal James Vowles said: “Silverstone is always one of the highlights of the year and I’m delighted we are thanking our staff as the centrepiece of our home race celebrations. Williams is transforming from top to bottom so we can fight our way back to the front, and our people and culture will be key to that success." "It takes extraordinary effort from every individual at the factory and at track to race in Formula 1, and I’m especially proud of the resilience whilst under pressure we have demonstrated so far this year.” Alex Albon commented: “I’m looking forward to being back in the UK for the team’s home race, not just because of the fans but because Silverstone to me is the true meaning of racing and is the place I first fell in love with the sport." "It’s one of the best races on the calendar, bringing passionate fans from all over to enjoy such a special Grand Prix, and it’s the perfect place to celebrate the huge team effort that goes into racing all across the globe. The Fan Zone is at such an iconic location this year, sharing what makes Williams so special with those who can’t make it to Silverstone.” Logan Sargeant said: “I’ve always loved racing at Silverstone. The track has everything a driver wants with its quick and flowing nature. I have fond memories of this place throughout my career, and it’s always been one that I’ve performed well at." "Racing with the names of every single team member on the car is the perfect way to mark everyone’s hard work and a home race for Williams. The fans are what makes Silverstone so special as they’re some of the most passionate in the world and you can really feel them getting behind the team. Being able to bring Williams to the heart of London through our Fan Zone is an awesome way to connect with fans both old and new.”

Workers across Wales are showing above-average confidence in their job prospects, with pay expectations set to increase as a result. That’s according to the latest Robert Half Jobs Confidence Index (JCI) – an economic confidence tracker produced in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). The data revealed that two-thirds (66%) of Welsh workers are confident in their job over the next six months, above the national average of 60%. This optimism is translating into heightened pay inflation expectations, with workers across the country indicating hopes of an average pay rise of 4.6% this year, above the national average of 3.8%. Interestingly, though, fewer employees in Wales suggested that they would take some form of action – such as seeking a new role in their current business or changing employers – than the national average. Less than half (43%) of Welsh workers would take action if a salary increase wasn’t an option this year, compared to 68% of UK respondents overall. James Fortnam, Market Director, Wales, Ireland & Scotland at Robert Half, commented: “Job confidence across Wales is clearly high and there are likely a number of reasons for this. Growing skills shortages coupled with the recent reports that the country has the highest rate of economic inactivity are no doubt leading to staff feeling optimistic about demand for their skills." "While this has created an environment where pay rise expectations are higher than the national average, employers can be somewhat comforted by the fact that fewer people are likely to take direct action if they don’t receive the salary increase they are after." "Of course, that doesn’t mean that businesses can ignore these high levels of confidence. Instead, it should be a catalyst for firms to consider their holistic employment packages and how elements such as tailored benefits packages or career progression programmes can act as more effective attraction tools.”

Family Business United is delighted to announce the 8 finalists in the running for the National Family Business Next Generation Ambassador Award which will be presented at a gala event in London on September 19, 2024 as part of the National Family Business Day celebrations. As Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of Family Business United explains, "Our finalists represent the next generation of family business leaders from whom one will be crowned the overall winner at the prestigious National Family Business Day Gala Dinner on September 19." "The family business community will come together to celebrate their journeys. Each finalist has a story to tell and the judges are faced with a difficult decision in determining the winner." Our finalists for the Next Generation Ambassador Award 2024, in no particular order, are: Wilda Haddad - Dina Foods Ellie Jobes - Alfred Bagnall and Sons Limited Richard Wilsdon - Britcab Ltd Michael Vieira - Roman Pools Ltd Jamie Keeble - Heck! Food Ltd Justin & Aron Wilkins - The Wilkins Group Mia Simpson - Vcare Training Solutions Katy Brown - Sapphire Louvres Ltd The judges will deliberate and determine the winner who will be announced on September at the National Family Business Day Dinner. Find out more about the event here