We are delighted to announce that Stuart McLean of Zonal UK has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Inspirational Leader Champion of Change & Innovation Formed in 1979, Zonal are a UK-based, family-owned business, established when the McLean family identified the need for a solution to solve stock control issues in their Edinburgh hotel. The solution was the very first electronic-point-of-sale (EPoS) system on the market, invented by Zonal’s founder, the late Ralph McLean. This early EPoS system was admired by legendary brewer Scottish & Newcastle who then adopted it across their network of pubs, providing both head office and site managers access to a wealth of information. Ralph handed the reins over to his son, Stuart, who became CEO of Zonal in 1997. Alongside his talented team, Stuart continues to grow and transform the company into what is now: the UK’s largest hospitality technology company, serving more than 16,000 businesses, from small, independent operators to multi-location hospitality brands such as Greene King, Pizza Express, Macdonald Hotels, The Restaurant Group, Dobbies Garden Centres and Bourne Leisure. Stuart has developed a great team and been instrumental in overseeing the growth of Zonal, a journey that continues today and for which he justly deserves his place in the Family Business Top 100. Following the announcement, Stuart said: “Family is at the heart of everything we do at Zonal. Not only are we a family-owned business, but we pride ourselves on welcoming every team member, every partner and every customer into the Zonal family. Having been part of the hospitality industry for 40 years, and counting, Zonal is always striving to provide businesses in the sector with innovative technology designed for the specific needs and challenges of hospitality businesses in order to help them deliver great customer experiences, increase efficiency and drive profit." "It’s truly an honour to be listed in Family Business Top 100 and for the whole Zonal team to be recognised for the great work that the company does to support our customers and the hospitality industry.”

We are delighted to announce that Mark Rowland of Lancashire Trade Frames has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Inspirational Leader Mark Is the Managing Director of Lancashire Trade Frames, a business that he established back in 2003. Since then, under his leadership the business has gone from strength to strength, enjoying steady and consistent growth. It is a story of success built on hard work, dedication and sound decision making by the man at the top. One of Mark’s core skills, and drivers of the success that the business is today, is his ability to maintain a wide view of the entire operation, how it serves its customers and fits in the marketplace. Under his leadership, every move the business makes is carefully considered. Online quotations, a door buyers portal, delivery schedules and glass unit capability all bear the signs of Mark’s commitment and energy. Mark has created a great team and as well as setting high standards for himself, he loves to see others do well and is committed to the success of the entire team. He is a sound leader with core skills that have created a great business, one that is committed to doing the right thing by its customers, supporting the development of staff and growing with strong bonds within the local community too. "Mark is well deserving of his place in the Family Business Top 100."

We are delighted to announce that John Thatcher of Thatchers has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Inspirational Leader John Thatcher is one of the country’s leading cider makers and pomologists, third generation of the Somerset cider making family. John has given a lifetime of service to the UK agriculture and cider industries, as well as to many local charities in the West Country. Under his direction as Managing Director, and latterly as Chairman, Thatchers Cider in Somerset has grown from local farm cider maker to one of the UK’s leading family run cider producers and growers of cider apples. It has been John’s passion for research and innovation, in particular in the areas of orchard stewardship and sustainability, that has led him to be regarded within both the cider and fruit growing industries as one of the country’s most respected cider makers, pomologist and ambassador for the industry. "John always leaves a lasting impression on those he meets, with his depth of knowledge, enthusiastic and inspirational dedication to cider making, as well as his larger than life, kind and generous personality." "He is a true family business ambassador and truly deserves his place in the Family Business Top 100."

We are delighted to announce that John Clothier of Wyke Farms has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Inspirational Leader Family Business Ambassador John is a second generation cheesemaker who started learning how to make his family cheddar when he was a little boy. His mother, Ivy Clothier, shared her secret recipe with him when he was a teenager and he has protected it for seven decades, making sure the company always stayed true to her original creation. John built the foundations of the business that is Wyke Farms today. He is an independent thinker and now fulfils the role of Chairman. His leadership style has been instrumental in driving the culture of the business and his ability to make friends and do business harmoniously, both with people and with nature, has afforded him the skills to develop Wyke farms into a world leading cheddar business. John is a breed apart, bringing in non-family leaders, embracing change and investing throughout his career. John is well respected by his peers and those that he works with and is an exceptional man, unwavering in his commitment to his family, his cheese making and his local community. "Earlier this year he as awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the wider FBU Family Business of the Year Awards and he thoroughly deserves his position in the Family Business Top 100."

We are delighted to announce that Gavin Annon of The Mount Charles Group has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Inspirational Leader Next Generation Member From a very early age Gavin and his siblings were very much involved in the family business, working on the ground at weekends in some of the very first Mount Charles catering partnerships, aiding their father Trevor in making the business a success. Gavin pursued his career within the business and is now the Sales and Marketing Director where his passion to achieve greater environmental and sustainable development of services is now a key priority within the business. Gavin has not only made a big impact on the business but is also happy to share his journey and engages more broadly in the wider family business community, helping peers along the way. "Professional, driven and hugely impactful, Gavin is well deserving of his position in the Family Business Top 100."

We are delighted to announce that Stephen Snow of Snows Motor Group has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Inspirational Leader Next Generation Champion Multi-Generational Family Business Leader Snows celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2022. Snows Group founder Geoff Snow died in hospital, at the age of 85, on August 23, 2017. His son Stephen who took over the running of the business in 2007 and two of Stephen’s three daughters are also integral parts of the business. Stephen is a firm believer in the development of the group’s workforce from within and managers are empowered to select potential future leaders and help them progress. The group does not use outside training providers as “the best people to instil the way we want our teams to work are people who have done it themselves.” He is eager to encourage an aspirational workforce and has launched a company wide Talent Management Programme to facilitate this. He explained: “We’ve saw some superstars rise in lockdown and we really do like to develop our own talent.” "He has developed a great culture within the family business and is well deserving of his place in the Family Business Top 100."

We are delighted to announce that Chris Kelly of The UPAC Group has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Inspirational Leader Champion of Change & Innovation Next Generation Chris Kelly, Owner and Managing Director of The UPAC Group is entirely worthy of inclusion in the Family Business Top 100 as Chris is committed to creating a diverse working environment to all his employees. At UPAC candidates are hired from a diverse range of backgrounds, not because they think it is the right thing to do but because it makes the company more diverse and therefore stronger/better as a whole. "Chris ensures the UPAC Group is an equal opportunity employer so that it is a great place to work for everyone and anyone who shares their values – honesty, integrity, family values and being passionate about doing the right thing." Chris has driven forward the 4 day working week to give back to his employees and wants to make it a great place to work for all.

We are delighted to announce that Thomas Martin of Arco has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Inspirational Leader Thomas Martin, Chairman of Arco, has led a public affairs campaign to generate all-party political discussion on safety issues across UK business sectors. Throughout the last 12 months, he’s focussed on the risks of non-compliant PPE, demanding the Government takes stronger action to stop this. He’s had regular contact and briefings with Michael Kearny at the OPSS, written to Paul Scully at BEIS on the relaxation of PPE regulations and conformity post-Brexit, and developed a Position Paper on Arco’s experience and learnings from the Government’s response to COVID-19. All confirm his drive to preserve the UK’s safety credentials. "Furthermore, he has been an inspirational leader of Arco for many years before stepping up to the role of Chairman and is a fervent supporter and ambassador for all things family business and well deserving of his place within the Family Business Top 100."

We are delighted to announce that Jeremy Mathew of Dunsters Farm has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Family Business Stewardship During his tenure at Dunsters Farm, Jeremy has seen significant changes & challenges, including a recession, fuel increases, and a pandemic hit this popular family business. At the heart of his tenacity is his passion for the family business and its essential place in our community. As well as guiding the business over the past 4 decades, Jeremy has been dedicated to supporting the next generation – offering day-to-day guidance and mentoring his children since they joined the family business in 2014. "Jeremy is well deserving of recognition for his family business endeavours and inclusion within our Family Business Top 100."

We are delighted to announce that John Falder of HMG Paints has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Inspirational Leadership Sustainable Development Ambassador Champion of Change & Innovation Multi-Generational Family Business Leader To say that John has been in the paint industry and his family business for almost his whole life would almost be an understatement, as he started at HMG when he was about 7, accompanying his father and grandfather, Herbert Falder, founder of H. Marcel Guest, on Saturday mornings to go and help. “My very first job was sticking on labels, and packing tubes of adhesive this was fantastic, and a good Saturday morning which involved me earning some wages (2 shillings and 6 old pence to be exact), which were spent later in the day at a local toy shop,” said John in a recent interview. After John graduated from Bangor University in chemistry and marine biology, he started his full-time career in HMG at 21 years old and remains a huge part of the business 46 years later, stepping down as Managing Director in 2021 and becoming Chairman. In 2021 John Falder was awarded the paint industries highest honour with a lifetime achievement award from the British Coatings Federation. "John is a great example of someone that has dedicated his career to the family business and embraced each and every opportunity along the way. He thoroughly deserves recognition and his place in the Family Business Top 100."

We are delighted to announce that Richard Balson of R J Balson & Son has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Inspirational Leader Sustainable Development Ambassador Champion of Change & Innovation Next Generation Member Family Business Steward Multi-Generational Family Business Leader Richard is a family business champion, the 25th generation to run the family Butchers shop and the passion and love for his business and customers is unbelievable. He is an inspirational character, who has played his part in the fantastic history of England’s oldest family business. With Richard at the helm, he has guided the business through the pandemic, remaining open throughout, to provide great service to his customers. It has been a very busy couple of years and this is a family business that takes nothing for granted and has deep gratitude for still being here. "Richard is a great ambassador for the family business sector and truly deserving of his place within the inaugural Family Business Top 100."

A local landowner has launched a new team building business which he says will be a much needed ‘shot in the arm’ for local corporate growth post-lockdown. The 700-acre Hatton Estate, which has been in the Arkwright family since the early 19th century, now hosts exclusive indoor and outdoor hospitality and events from four to 400 people. It is available on both fully managed days and a venue hire basis, with activities from sport and leisure through to individual and team challenges. Incorporating the Hatton Country World and Hatton Arms businesses, the new events menu includes everything from Laser Combat, Escape Rooms, Soap Box Derby, Scaling the Heights, Bridge The Divide and The Bigger Picture to It’s A Knockout, Circus Skills Workshop, Sports Days and Inflatable Games. Plus amateur sleuths can even take on a Crime Scene Investigation challenge. As well as team building, Hatton Estates’ new events marquee can host parties, events, conferences and weddings. This marks the latest in a series of diversifications for Hatton Estate, part of a country estate owned by the Arkwright family. The family – who are direct descendants of Sir Richard Arkwright, a pioneer of the industrial revolution – acquired seven small farmsteads in 1830. Over the years the small buildings on the farms became redundant due to the modernisation of British farming. Johnnie Arkwright said: “Exclusive Team Building, Family Fun and Activity Away Days are now a key part of business planning as companies decide how best to tackle what for many are more demanding times. It’s how best to build relationships with clients, to make your teams as effective as possible, to celebrate success and to motivate your employees.” “Located five minutes from the Midlands motorway network and regular trains to London and Birmingham, we’re obviously in a great position to host both local and national events.” “And because we have a whole range of the activities and facilities that most venues have to buy in, we are able to put on Events Days at very competitive prices.” He added: “For all businesses staff and clients are key and it’s well established that Away Days can boost both productivity and sales. Tailor making programmes that focus on a company’s objectives is an art-form in itself and the numerous venue options that Hatton is able to offer make this task that much more straightforward.” “If the Midlands is to thrive in an era of increasingly global competition where AI and digitalisation is fast changing both work practises and markets, we need forward-looking businesses prepared to invest in their teams and to explore new markets. And we want to do our bit to help our great region to stay at the forefront for decades to come.“ Hatton Estate has been home to the Arkwright family for the last 200 years when, back in 1770 they had the vision to build the first mechanised factory in the world and is now regarded as ‘The Father of the Factory System.’ “Carving a successful role for the Midlands over the next 100 years might be every bit as big a challenge as The Industrial Revolution all those years ago!” More information is available on their website here