Family businesses remain the cornerstone of the UK economy, contributing a staggering £985 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2023 and employing 15.8 million people, according to a new report, 'The State of the Nation: the UK Family Business Sector in 2023.' The report, produced by the Family Business Research Foundation (FBRF) in collaboration with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the Family Business sector in the UK. The findings underscore the importance of family firms, which represent 93.2 per cent of all UK private sector businesses and span industries including construction, retail, professional services, and agriculture. These businesses, often celebrated for their resilience and long-term focus, are revealed to be pivotal in driving regional and national economic growth. Key Highlights from the Report: Economic contribution: Family businesses generated £2.8 trillion in turnover in 2023, almost half of the UK private sector total. Employment: With 57 per cent of private sector employment, family firms are significant job creators, particularly in micro and small enterprises. Family businesses are particularly prevalent in Wales and Northern Ireland, where they account for over 70 per cent of private sector turnover. Tax revenue: Family businesses contributed £422 billion in taxes, reinforcing their critical role in sustaining public services and infrastructure. The wholesale, retail, and construction sectors were the largest contributors to turnover and employment among family firms. Sector Resilience and Opportunities The report highlights the adaptability of family businesses in navigating challenges such as the post-pandemic recovery and Brexit, highlighting their ability to sustain operations and protect jobs. Sir Michael Bibby, Chairman of the Family Business Research Foundation, commented: "This report demonstrates the extraordinary contributions of family businesses, not only as economic drivers but as pillars of their local communities." "Their resilience and long-term vision make them vital to the UK’s future prosperity." There is currently a great deal of interest and commentary on the importance of family businesses to the UK. There is more detailed work to be undertaken to look at the impact of specific measures on growth and tax contributions; but this report provides essential material and background for those debates.” Why It Matters The latest Family Business Economic Sector Report from the FBRF provides actionable insights for policymakers, advisers, and trade organisations seeking to understand and support the sector. It underscores the urgent need to include family firms in key economic strategies to ensure sustained growth and innovation. Download the Report The full State of the Nation report and an infographic summary is available for free download here: State of the Nation: UK Family Business Sector in 2023

Family Business United ('FBU') has teamed up with Mighty Atoms to offer a free marketing health check to family businesses. In today’s competitive and challenging economic landscape, businesses are constantly seeking ways to optimise their operations. One critical area of focus is marketing effectiveness. Mighty Atoms joined FBU in December last year and to start off the relationship they have developed a valuable new service—a free marketing health check. The partnership aims to help family-owned businesses assess and improve their marketing strategies, ensuring they are both efficient and impactful. "This new partnership with FBU is designed to give members access to marketing expertise, with the health check being the first to launch," said Tim Gambrill, co-owner of Mighty Atoms. "We understand that businesses are under pressure to drive short-term profitability, and one way to achieve that is by optimising marketing activity to get the most out of it.” The marketing health check is a quick and easy tool, taking only around five minutes to complete. It provides an overall score, as well as a view of strengths and areas for improvement. The check also includes a section focusing on family business heritage, something that has proven to be highly effective in gaining trust. Research shows that companies that emphasize their family business origins in marketing are 80% more trusted by consumers than those that do not. Mighty Atoms developed this unique section in collaboration with FBU and upon completion of the health check are offering a complimentary follow up discussion to explore the results further. Paul Andrews, CEO of FBU, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "This initiative is a fantastic opportunity for our members to access valuable insights in an area that can drive business benefit. The marketing health check is just the beginning, and we look forward to working with Mighty Atoms to bring more valuable resources to businesses.” Tim Gambrill continued: “We recognise that in some cases businesses are looking to reduce their sales and marketing investment so reviewing capabilities could offer a route to improving effectiveness whilst maintaining or reducing marketing budgets." For more information about the marketing health check or to take the test, visit the diagnostic here

A local Edinburgh business is brewing up success with its unique coffee blend after accessing support from Business Gateway. Georgia and Grant Fraser launched Cortino in August last year, blending their passions of coffee and Scottish whisky to create one-of-a-kind barrel aged coffee, delivering distinct and exciting flavours as they aim to change the traditional coffee experience. Cortino’s coffee beans, which are sourced from Brazilian farms, rest in whisky barrels sourced from across Scotland, infusing them with a rich and smooth depth of flavour. The beans are then roasted locally in Edinburgh, with every batch of coffee offering a distinct profile. With backgrounds in sustainable product design, Georgia and Grant are determined to ensure Cortino delivers environmentally conscious coffee, using sustainable packaging and partnering with responsible suppliers. Throughout their start-up journey, local Business Gateway adviser, Lee Briggs, has supported Cortino, providing one-to-one support and advice across business planning, marketing insights and routes to funding. Lee has also introduced Georgia and Grant with local contacts, and signposted events and scaling opportunities. Having enjoyed a successful launch last year, with Cortino’s coffee proving popular at a host of local markets and trade shows, Georgia and Grant now have their sights set on a year of growth in 2025, aiming to scale up the business and bring their unique brew to a new audience, with a number of exciting whisky collaborations in the works. This has been made possible thanks to support from Business Gateway, which helped them to successfully apply for grant funding worth £4,000 which will be put towards marketing activities and trade show events as the pair gear up for a bumper year. Georgia Fraser, co-founder, Cortino, said: “Business Gateway has provided fantastic support that has allowed us to start Cortino on the best possible footing." “Lee has been an invaluable resource for us. His insight and connections have enabled us to access funding and develop a robust strategy for scaling up this year. He has always been on hand to answer any questions or guide us to where we need to get to.” Lee Briggs, Business Gateway adviser, said: “Georgia and Grant’s passion to create a unique new product is a brilliant example to anyone looking to start up their own business. Their drive and determination to make their product the best it can be and deliver it sustainably by making the most of the local knowledge has seen their efforts rewarded greatly." “We look forward to supporting the team as they gear up for an exciting year in 2025.” To find out more about how Business Gateway can help your business, visit here . To discover more about Cortino’s unique blends, visit here .

As part of the programme for The Great British Family Business Conference  taking place in London on March 19, Family Business United is delighted to confirm the details of the participants in the philanthropy workshop being hosted by Kedge Martin. As Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of Family Business United explains, "Family businesses are a force for good in communities the length and breadth of the country and continue to make an impact each and every day." "We wanted to showcase their endeavours by way of a workshop showcasing the many different ways that family firms make an impact, from donations to volunteering, grant making and setting up their own foundation and the speakers lined up are all fantastic in their own right and will share their experiences in a rich and inspirational session." Find out more about the conference which is taking place at the Royal Geographical Society in London on March 19 here In the meantime, meet our panel members:   Michelle Taft Michelle serves as an independent non-executive director at sixth generation family business, John Good Group. She also chairs its People and Planet Committee. For the past five years, she has led the Matthew Good Foundation, a charity established by the Group that has donated over £1.5 million to various causes since its inception in 2011. In 2022, the Foundation became a shareholder in the John Good Group, further aligning the Group's performance with social impact. With more than 25 years of experience in sales, strategic communications, and employee engagement within family businesses and the charity sector, Michelle is passionate about businesses creating a positive societal impact that engages employees. This commitment is evident in the Group's strong ESG strategy and philanthropic initiatives. In 2024, she received the Judges' Award at the Women in Business Achievement Awards for her efforts in driving social impact and significantly increasing funding for small charities through the Foundation.   Caroline Coates Mother of four, Caroline founded and now runs Harry’s Hydrocephalus Awareness Trust (Harry’s HAT) after her own son was diagnosed with the condition.  The charity has grown significantly since its launch in 2018 and is now working with the government to change policy which will improve early detection for babies with the condition.  The charity is the only one in the UK to focus solely on paediatric hydrocephalus, a life-threatening condition which affects 1 in every 770 babies born each year.  Caroline serves on the advisory panel for BBC Children In Need and has worked in fundraising for over 20 years, being named Fundraiser of the Year in the process.  She has a BA in PR and Community studies from the University of Exeter and holds the Diploma in Fundraising from the Institute of Fundraising.  She is currently learning BSL so she can communicate more effectively with friends and colleagues in the Deaf community.   Alex Day Alex joined Big Give as Managing Director in 2015. Big Give is the UK's biggest digital match funding platform which has raised £350m for not-for-profit organisations since 2008. He also works on a part-time basis for Reed as their Director of Social Impact and is heavily focused on their ESG agenda. Prior to Big Give and Reed, he worked for a number of international development and humanitarian NGO's including Tearfund and Medair. Alex holds a BA Hons in Business & Geography from Exeter University and an MA in Charity Management from St Mary's University. He is Vice-Chair of Sand Dams Worldwide, an international development charity specialising in water conservation. He is listed as a Spears 500 Top Philanthropy Adviser and lives in Surrey with his family.   Kedge Martin Kedge has more than 30 years’ strategic and operational leadership experience across global business, politics, family offices, and philanthropy. Beginning her career in the late 1980s as a researcher to a Member of the European Parliament and political lobbyist, she then moved to newly liberated Poland in 1991 to establish her first business which she sold five years later. Returning to the UK in the late 1990s she transitioned into the not-for-profit sector, founding WellChild , now the UK’s leading charity for children with complex health needs. In 2009, she was appointed CEO of Sentebale , Prince Harry’s Foundation for children in Africa and working out of St James’s Palace, served as a principal advisor TRH’s Charities Forum, working across a wide spectrum of critical issues including homelessness, conservation, early childhood development, and healthcare.   She now advises family businesses and family offices on succession, next gen education and philanthropy.

Leading Scottish hospitality group, Buzzworks, has announced an exciting new venture with trailblazing whisky company Against The Grain, as it continues to elevate its hospitality offering across its venues. Founded by Scottish rugby sensations Duhan van Der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman, Buzzworks will be stocking their stunning 12-year-old Speyside single malt, Hirundine, in each of its 21 venues across Scotland. The announcement comes as Scotland’s Six Nations campaign gets underway, with the national side’s first game resulting in a 31-19 victory against Italy at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday (February 1, 2025). David Howie, Company Bar Manager at Buzzworks said: “We are thrilled to be working with Against The Grain by bringing the brand’s exceptional 12-year-old Speyside single malt to all of our venues across Scotland."" “Hirundine is a fantastic addition to our whisky collection and reflects our dedication to bringing our guests some of the most exciting and memorable food and drink experiences." “Working with Duhan and Pierre, who share our passion for excellence and innovation, has been an absolute privilege so far, and we’re excited for our customers to enjoy this outstanding tipple at Buzzworks venues." “We have lots of exciting plans up our sleeve with Against The Grain, which we can’t wait to share more details about in the coming months.” Pierre Schoeman, co-founder of Against The Grain, said: "We're thrilled to blend our passion for rugby and whisky, creating a unique experience that celebrates Scottish heritage. Our partnership with Buzzworks and Against The Grain exemplifies our commitment to excellence and innovation, offering fans and guests a taste of Scotland that’s as rich as our game." Duhan van Der Merwe, co-founder of Against The Grain, added: "Teaming up with Buzzworks and Against The Grain is a dream come true, combining my love for rugby and fine whisky." “This partnership not only showcases the spirit of Scotland but also brings our fans and patrons together to celebrate our culture. We can't wait for everyone to enjoy Hirundine and experience the excitement of the Six Nations with us!" Hirundine 12-year-old single malt is now available for guests to enjoy at all Buzzworks venues across Scotland. What’s more Buzzworks venues across Scotland will be showing Six Nations Games live, including at Vic’s, T-Bar, The Fox, The Coach House, The Corner House, The Mill House, The Bridge Inn and Thirty Knots.

Frozen food distributor Central Foods has unveiled a new flavour in its range of Menuserve meringue roulades for the food service sector. The Menuserve Peach Bellini Meringue Roulade is hand-rolled and finished, and is filled with peach curd and Prosecco-infused dairy cream, topped with honeycomb pieces. Just like the other meringue roulades in the Menuserve range, it is gluten-free and suitable for coeliacs and vegetarians. MD of Central Foods Oli Sampson said: “Our Menuserve meringue roulades are one of the most popular desserts sold by Central Foods. If all the meringue roulades we sold last year were laid end to end, they would be the equivalent of 100 times the height of the Eiffel Tower." “This new Peach Bellini Meringue Roulade is perfect for spring and summer menus, as well as special occasions, giving our customers a delicious addition to their dessert menus which is sure to go down well with their own customers.” Offering great plate coverage, an appealing artisan look, and with excellent holding ability, each meringue roulade contains ten portions and takes four hours to defrost at 4 degrees. There are two meringue roulades in each pack which, once defrosted, can be stored in the fridge and served for up to 48 hours to help reduce wastage. The Menuserve meringue roulades are sold exclusively via Central Foods through wholesalers across the country. Other flavours include Black Forest, banoffee, lemon, strawberry and Prosecco, raspberry and hazelnut, and raspberry and white chocolate, meaning there is a flavour to suit all occasions and all seasons. Central Foods is one of the UK’s leading frozen food distributors, offering a range of sweet and savoury products to the food service industry. The company currently sells to over 200 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. Based in Northamptonshire, Central Foods is proud to be a catering partner across the whole food service sector, supplying to hotels, restaurants, bars, universities, schools, pubs, care homes, garden centres, leisure outlets and more here.

A third-generation egg producer has welcomed some aspects of Defra secretary Steve Reed’s so-called “new deal for farmers.” However, managing director of Farmlay Iain Chapman, stopped short of giving his wholehearted support to the Secretary of State’s speech at last month's Oxford Farming Conference because of the cloud of controversial changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT) hanging over the industry and worries about whether all the new initiatives will see the light of day in his home nation of Scotland. Mr Chapman picked out the following positives from Mr Reed’s new vision for the farming sector: Making it easier for British farmers to get business from selling into the £5billion spent on public service catering contracts. Confirmed by Defra as an England-only policy at this stage. Improving opportunities for farmers to make money from selling surplus energy back from solar panels and wind turbines; a UK-wide initiative. New supply chain rules, ensuring contracts are set out clearly and that changes can only be made if agreed by all parties. UK-wide. “These would all be great news and - in some cases such as improving access to public service catering contracts - something that the industry has been banging on about for years,” said Mr Chapman. “But my initial enthusiasm will be kept in check by the proposed farm IHT changes. In my opinion, the Government’s plans will stifle all farming businesses from expanding." “On a personal note, although we have started on succession we have not completed and I am - along with many thousands of others - worried about IHT impact if the worst was to happen to any generation of a family farm.” The Chapman family, whose Farmlay business is Scotland’s second largest egg producer, farm almost 3,000 acres of land near Strichen, in Aberdeenshire. “My dad started out at 15 on his parents 130-acre farm. He had a dream of owning 100,000 hens and 1,000 acres of farmland. Farmlay as a business now owns more than 450,000 hens, with a further 550,000 owned by contract farmers." “Although my father is an amazing man, it’s hard to imagine that sort of growth being possible if there had been the dark cloud of IHT hanging over him and other farmers.” Reflecting on the aspects of Steve Reed’s OFC speech that caught his eye, Mr Chapman said in theory the issue of public sector procurement - monitoring where food is bought with the aim of making it easier for British farmers to access opportunities to sell produce into public service catering contracts - was “great news if it happens”. With agriculture devolved in Scotland, ScotGov now has control over how the agricultural portion of the overarching budget is spent, although Westminster can steer direction of travel. A spokesperson for Defra has confirmed that the procurement policy is England only at this stage, rather than a national directive.  “NFUS has been talking about this for years but yet it always seems to come back to what’s cheapest,” said Mr Chapman. “It was disappointing to learn that at this stage Scotland isn’t included. If it had been, it could have been brilliant news for the whole farming sector.” However, Defra has confirmed that the plans highlighted by the Minister to make it easier for farmers to make money from selling surplus energy back from solar panels and wind turbines will include Scotland. “I am unsure how this would work, so will be following developments closely. It will be really interested to hear how Mr Reed will actually achieve this.” Finally, Farmlay has been at the forefront of securing what has become widely known as a “golden age” for egg producers with fixed five-year rolling contracts with many major supermarkets. So Defra’s fair supply chain guidelines, confirmed as UK-wide, caught Mr Chapman’s eye. New rules are due to come in for the pig industry in the spring, with the promise of other sectors such as eggs and fresh produce to follow. "Yes, we personally have long term supermarket deals, but nobody can afford to get complacent. Food security is too serious an issue to leave to chance and hardly a day goes by in the news when this isn’t highlighted." “Any new supply chain guidelines to support the UK farming industry’s world-leading field to fork story and help give us and other farmers security to expand is to be welcomed.” Commenting after Steve Reed’s 25-year roadmap for farming Oxford speech, NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “Many are worried about making it to the end of 2025, never mind what happens 25 years down the line.” Changes to IHT relief for farms are due to take effect from April 2026.

The UK’s first and only fully solar-powered tea factory. 100% Carbon Neutral. Biodegradable tea bags. Supporting African conservation and community programmes. Birchall Tea, passionate pioneers of the tea industry for over 150 years, have always taken their responsibilities to the environment very seriously and are committed to continually reducing the impact of the company’s trading activities upon it. As part of this ongoing commitment, they are a long standing member of the Ethical Tea Partnership and have offered both Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance Certified Teas within their product range for nearly 10 years. Supporting Conservation & Community in Africa Birchall has been committed to conservation in Africa for over a decade, where all of their black teas are exclusively sourced from. The Birchall Community programme has supported Virunga National Park for around 12 years, helping to protect the park and its inhabitants. Beyond conservation, Birchall has been commended for providing excellent housing and social amenities for workers, fostering strong community relations, supporting local schools and water projects, and engaging in conservation education initiatives such as tree planting. In 2024 they announced a partnership with Tusk, an esteemed African wildlife conservation charity that accelerates the impact of African-driven wildlife conservation. The latest step in this collaboration is the launch of Birchall’s new ‘Serengeti’ tea, with 5p from every pack going directly to Tusk. This initiative underscores Birchall Tea's commitment to sustainable and ethical practices while supporting Tusk’s vital African wildlife conservation efforts. Solar Powered Tea The Birchall Tea Factory in Amesbury, Wiltshire is the UK’s first fully solar-powered tea factory. Its roof-top solar installation features more than 460 solar panels, which are capable of generating all the clean renewable electricity for their on-site operations. The factory generates twice the electricity it needs – putting power back into the National Grid. In 2020, Birchall achieved the Carbon Neutral International Standard, which means that all Birchall Tea products are now 100% Carbon Neutral. Biodegradable Bags All of Birchall’s award-winning teas are available in plant-based Prism™ Tea Bags, made from a biodegradable plant starch called “SoilOn”, which originates from plants. This means that they will break down under certain environmental conditions and degrade most quickly (within 12 weeks) when disposed of through an industrial food waste system. The Everyday Tea Bags are now made from a newly-developed plant-based tissue that is 100% renewable and entirely free from oil-based plastic. They are now fully compostable and, like the Prism™ Tea Bags, will biodegrade, as long as you dispose of them through your food waste. The popular String & Tag Tea Bags are also made from a blend of Abaca and other cellulosic fibres and are therefore plastic free.

Young people in the West of Scotland facing a cancer diagnosis will receive vital emotional support, thanks to the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Youth Empowerment Programme. The programme ensures young people undergoing cancer treatment have access to specialist Youth Support Coordinators who provide essential emotional and practical assistance at a critical time in their lives. Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer. Through its dedicated units in the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, the charity ensures young people receive age-appropriate care and access to trained professionals who understand their unique needs. Every year, around 248 young people in Scotland aged 13-24 are diagnosed with cancer, and many struggle to access the support they need to navigate their diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. The Youth Empowerment Programme provides tailored support to young people living with cancer. They offer guidance on managing treatment side effects, assist in maintaining social connections, and create opportunities to meet others going through similar experiences. Through individual and group activities, the programme reduces feelings of isolation and helps young people maintain their mental health and wellbeing throughout and beyond their treatment. The programme’s impact has been strengthened with a £2,000 donation from Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust. This funding will provide 80 hours of emotional support, ensuring more young people can access the care they need at a time of immense challenge. With no government or NHS Scotland funding, the Teenage Cancer Trust relies entirely on donations like these to continue its important work. Joanne Clark, Trusts and Foundations Executive at the Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “Thank you to the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust for their incredibly kind support of our work. This generous donation will make a lasting impact on the lives of young people with cancer, making sure they get the best possible care and emotional support they need and deserve.” Gerry Facenna, founder and owner of Allied Vehicles Group, said: “Cancer touches every family, including my own, and a cancer diagnosis is something nobody should have to face alone at any age, especially as young as just 13. The work of the Teenage Cancer Trust provides essential support at a time when it is needed most, and we’re proud to contribute to this wonderful programme.” This funding will ensure that young people in the West of Scotland facing cancer are not alone. By providing vital emotional support, the Teenage Cancer Trust makes a profound difference in the lives of Scotland’s young people who are undergoing cancer treatment, giving them the confidence, care, and connections they need at a crucial time.

JCB celebrated a major machine milestone with the production of its one millionth backhoe loader. The first JCB backhoe rolled off the production line in Rocester, Staffordshire in 1953. Called the Mark One, it brought the new wonder of hydraulic power to construction equipment for the first time. In the first full year of production in 1954 just 35 of the machines were built and it took more than 20 years for the first 50,000 to be made. It took 59 years for the first half million JCB backhoes to be manufactured – but less than 13 years for the next half million to be produced, culminating in celebrations. JCB now manufactures backhoe loaders in the UK, India, Brazil and it remains of the most versatile and productive machines in the world. Despite the maturity of the versatile backhoe loader, it is still one of the biggest selling pieces of construction machinery and it remains the world’s 4th most popular machine in the construction equipment sales league table. Hundreds of backhoe loader employees lined the road outside JCB’s World HQ, joining company Chairman Anthony Bamford to watch a cavalcade of 16 backhoes from down the ages. These spanned a 1954 Mark I through to a 2025 3CX model. Also joining in the celebrations today was retired JCB welder Ken Harrison, aged 100, who joined JCB as a welder in 1952 when only 29 people worked on the shop floor. Ken, one of the last known survivors of the production team that built the first JCB backhoes, retired 36 years later in 1988. Lord Bamford said: “I am the only person in the business now who can remember the early days when we first started to make backhoes in what was a former cheese factory in Rocester. Looking back at that time, I could never have imagined that we would make one million of these diggers after such humble beginnings. Looking back is a fun thing to do but it’s always been JCB’s way to look forward and I’m looking forward to the production of the next one million backhoes.” JCB has always invested heavily in its backhoe loader range and an early catalyst for growth was in 1980 which saw the £24 million launch of the technologically advanced 3CX. Customers then went on to reap the fuel saving benefits of the launch of JCB backhoes powered by the JCB Dieselmax, a development which saves up to 11% in fuel costs. 3CX Pro is the fastest backhoe loader in the world, capable of speeds up to 50kph, reducing travel time between sites. As well as backhoes, JCB also manufactures Loadall telescopic handers, tracked and wheeled excavators, wheeled loading shovels, mini and micro excavators, skid steer loaders, track loaders, compaction equipment, rough terrain forklifts and Fastrac tractors. JCB backhoes are manufactured in the UK, India and Brazil and the company sells the product in 120 different countries. The business unit which manufactures the machines has previously won six Queen’s Awards. Royalty, Prime Ministers, politicians and TV stars have all been photographed in the cab of JCB backhoes over the years. The JCB backhoe was even the subject of a song which made the top of the UK charts. And it was a JCB backhoe which robbers used in a failed attempt to steal £350 million worth of diamonds from the Millennium Dome in 2000. The one millionth JCB backhoe to be produced was a 3CX model, which has been decorated in graffiti art and presented to Lord Bamford at today’s celebrations.

An HR manager from a Lake District hotel group has completed her studies to attain an Associate Diploma in People Management. Faye McGuinness from English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues has achieved Level 5 of the diploma qualification from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Faye, who works across the hotel group’s venues which include Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa and Wild Boar Estate near Windermere, completed six modules for the qualification over a nine month period. The diploma has given Faye a deeper understanding of strategic HR practices, such as workforce planning, employment law and organisational development. Faye’s course was funded by English Lakes Hotels, with the hotel group allowing her to take study leave to attend college one day per week. The specialist modules Faye chose to study were in employment relationship management, talent management and workforce planning and reward for performance and contribution. The core units Faye covered were in organisational performance and culture, evidence-based practice and professional behaviours and valuing people. She also learned more about handling complex employee relations issues and how to align HR strategies with business goals. “I decided to pursue the diploma to upskill and deepen my expertise in HR, particularly in specialised areas,” explains Faye. “It’s enabling me to provide stronger input to English Lakes Hotels in terms of helping to drive meaningful change, fostering stronger, cohesive teams, and developing the talented people we have here." “Overall, the course was fantastic and provided an excellent platform to share ideas, exchange thoughts and learn from others.” Faye says the most challenging aspect of achieving the qualification was balancing her time between work and her home life whilst ensuring she met the deadlines for her assignments. As part of her job role, Faye leads on various employee relations projects across the hotel group, ensuring policies and procedures are up to date. She also drives and implements new initiatives to support employee well-being and a better workplace environment. “This is an important qualification for Faye’s career progression and a really valuable asset for our teams and venues,” adds Emma Underwood from English Lakes Hotels. “Caring people management, recruitment and retention are at the core of our ethos here, and Faye’s associate level diploma reflects our approach to workforce culture, valuing our team members and rewarding great service.”

CEO optimism strengthens, although 43% say they won’t fully achieve transformation goals. 56% of global CEOs expect to actively pursue M&A activity in the next 12 months, versus 37% in September 2024. Most confident CEOs taking long-term approach to transformation with a focus on customers and employees, despite evolving disruptive forces. Confidence in growth among global CEOs is increasing despite complex geopolitical and macroeconomic challenges, according to the latest EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook Survey: Global Confidence Index, which evaluates the optimism levels of 1,200 global business leaders based on 15 “Confidence Index" measures. The latest survey data was recorded after the 2024 US election and offers insights on leaders’ expectations for future growth and long-term value creation at many of the world’s leading companies. Rapid technological advancements, evolving sustainability agendas and geopolitical tensions – which 49% of CEO respondents believe will further escalate in 2025 – are making corporate decisions more complex. However, the survey finds that overall CEO confidence has steadily increased to 73.5% (up from 70.5% in September 2024), with transformation at the heart of their ambitions. At the same time, more than half of CEO respondents (57%) are very confident they can successfully reimagine their business model for the future through transformation – which the report states will define the leaders and laggards of tomorrow. Janet Truncale, EY Global Chair and CEO, says: “Adaptability is the ultimate advantage in today’s landscape. Organizations that embrace transformation can turn disruption into opportunity, continuously learning, pivoting and growing to shape their future with confidence." "The survey reveals that the most confident CEOs are taking a long-term approach to transformation, focusing on enhancing customer and employee engagement amid macroeconomic and technological shifts, and always placing humans at the centre as the best path to sustainable value creation.” The survey highlights that strategic vision and investment in people – including upskilling employees to keep pace with technological innovation – are considered essential levers for growth. Eighty-five percent of global CEO respondents believe that addressing capability gaps and striking the right balance between human talent and new technology will be a crucial driver for success in the year ahead. However, caution remains around the talent landscape, with 42% of CEO respondents indicating that declining profitability could lead to workforce reductions. Notably, the most confident CEOs are likely to aim for better employee and customer experiences through transformation (60% vs. 30% of the least confident CEOs), while the least confident CEOs focus on improving top-line growth and margin expansion (40% vs. 20% of the most confident CEOs). 2025 set to be a bumper year for deal making The overall appetite among global CEO respondents for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the next year has increased significantly, rising to 56% from 37% in September 2024 – the Outlook Survey’s highest deal ambitions for almost two years. This signals that a strong rebound is on the horizon for deals in 2025, continuing the upward trend of resilient M&A activity recorded in 2024. Notably, the most confident CEO respondents are significantly more focused on pursuing M&A in the next 12 months than the least confident CEOs (70% vs. 17%). Overall, 96% intend to pursue transaction initiatives over the next 12 months (M&A; divestments, spin-offs or IPOs; and joint ventures or strategic alliances). There are also indications that 2025 could see an uptick in megadeals, with 60% of global CEO respondents expecting to see an increase in deals more than US$10b. Nearly half of CEO respondents are also looking to sell assets, with 48% planning a divestment or carve-out, up from 44% in September 2024 – adding further momentum to the deal market in the year ahead. Andrea Guerzoni, EY Global Vice Chair – Strategy and Transactions, says: “The rationale for M&A is strong. Digital transformation remains a critical driver of deal strategies, with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities increasingly driving corporate acquisition strategies. At the same time, defensive consolidation helps companies build operational and competitive resilience." "Cost synergies become more compelling in challenging economic environments. Activist investors continue pushing for strategic portfolio optimization and more accommodative credit conditions have improved M&A financing.” The survey reveals that US, Canada and Mexico are among the top five hotspots for global investment in 2025, which could help global companies navigate potential tariffs from the US. Germany and the UK round-out the top five investment hotspots. From an industry perspective, real estate, technology, consumer products are the top three M&A destinations. Guerzoni says: “CEOs across the globe are adapting to a new normal of complex change. By adopting a transformation mindset with M&A as a key catalyst, the most confident CEOs will mitigate disruption and drive sustainable growth in 2025.”