Faversham-based brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame has raised £30,000 for its Charity of the Year, Kent Wildlife Trust. Based in Sandling, Maidstone, Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) is the county’s leading conservation charity. KWT manages more than 90 nature reserves across Kent, ensuring the landscape is protected and enhanced for wildlife. KWT has been undertaking several ground-breaking reintroduction projects in Kent with species such as bison, and is also paving the way for carbon lock-up and native habitat restoration. Shepherd Neame chose KWT as its Charity of the Year at the start of 2022, and fundraising activities by team members at the brewery and across its pub estate have included taking part in the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge in Dorset last May, organising a Royal Brewery Bake Off competition as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations, sponsored pub walks, photography competitions and a series of summer beach cleans at four of its coastal sites. It is Shepherd Neame’s third Charity of the Year partnership following the relaunch of its Sheps Giving charitable arm in 2018. The company’s Sheps Giving committee co-ordinates the donation of thousands of pounds worth of beer each year, along with vouchers for its pub and hotel estate, to local groups and individuals in support of their fundraising activities. Shepherd Neame Chief Executive Jonathan Neame marked the end of the partnership by presenting a cheque to KWT’s Chief Executive Evan Bowen-Jones last Friday (June 23). They met at Oare Marshes Nature Reserve – just a couple of miles from the Faversham Brewery – as the funds raised by Shepherd Neame during the past year are being put towards a new green energy project at the site. Oare Marshes is a flagship site for Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT), designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Local Nature Reserve (LNR), Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site. The site supports nationally important numbers of breeding and over-wintering wading birds along the coast of the Swale Estuary and wildfowl, egrets, bittern, and raptors. KWT is planning on using Shepherd Neame’s contribution to fund a new solar and wind power to electrify the reserve (namely the building known as The Watch Tower), enabling their team to increase the number of education activities on the site and create more opportunities for engagement and income. Jonathan Neame said: “We have really enjoyed partnering with Kent Wildlife Trust during the past year to help raise awareness of their fantastic work to protect and improve habitats in the countryside, coast and town for the benefit of the wildlife and people of Kent. We are incredibly proud to present them with this donation, which is going towards a fantastic project just a stone’s throw from our brewery. I would like to thank the many customers and team members who have supported our fundraising efforts during the past year.” Kent Wildlife Trust’s Director of Fundraising, Marcoms, and Advocacy, Tamarin Ward said: “We are incredibly grateful to Shepherd Neame and their amazing efforts which will help us deliver a Wilder Kent." “Over the last year, Shepherd Neame has raised much-needed funds, and staff and patrons have given up their time to clean beaches, removing plastics and rubbish from our shoreline. Their efforts have been inspiring and directly contributed to improving the Kentish landscape. Through collaborations like this, we strengthen and grow, taking meaningful action for nature together.”

Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels is celebrating the first anniversary of Highland Safaris joining the group, following the acquisition of the local Perthshire business in June 2022. Since then, the popular attraction, located in Aberfeldy, has gone from strength to strength, with new offerings added and more set to launch in the coming weeks. Over the past year, the award-winning destination has secured an exciting new location for its Loch Tay Safaris. Its boat, Lolaire, now sails from Taymouth Marina in Kenmore, boasting much better facilities for customers such as parking, restrooms and a Café onsite, as well as a more weather-proof base for the Highland Safaris team. The visitor attraction has also been able to develop new adventures for guests including a shorter, 50-minute Loch Tay Cruise and an action-packed Land Rover Mini Safari. New activities set to launch at Highland Safaris in the near future include mini electric Land Rovers for younger visitors, a Walking Safari for those keen to up their step count and archery and air rifle experiences for those who want to test their aim. Commenting on a successful first year, Stephen Leckie, Chairman and CEO of Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, said: “Outdoor, adventure and wildlife experiences are a key part of what makes a visit to Scotland so unique and memorable. Bringing a successful business such as Highland Safaris into our portfolio has meant that we are able to provide visitors with an exciting glimpse into our rich natural heritage and truly enhance their experience of our country. " “With ever increasing visitor numbers and a host of thrilling new experiences and activities introduced over the past year, our partnership with the Highland Safaris team has got off to a fantastic start, all whilst engaging with the landscape and community of Perthshire in a positive and environmentally sensitive way." “We have invested in the area and continued to help support local suppliers and partners, and with much more planned for the near future, the team can’t wait to welcome new and returning guests, as they enjoy an authentic look at what wild Scotland has to offer.” Looking back on a busy 12 months, Helga Petersone, General Manager at Highland Safaris, said: “Since joining the Crieff Hydro Family, we have been able to implement numerous improvements which have made a noticeable difference to the business, team, our visitors and the local community. " “In particular, our new experiences have been very popular with young families and customers looking for exciting excursions to fit into their action-packed day." “We aim to provide a world class experience taking in the local countryside and wildlife for those keen to get closer to nature, and our partnership with Crieff Hydro Family has ensured we continue to do just that.” Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels comprises eight hotels located in Perthshire, Dundee, the Scottish Borders and the Highlands.

Sybron, a leading UK supplier of cleaning, hygiene and catering products to some of the largest names in hospitality, has launched SySoft Luxury Bamboo Toilet Tissue. Partnering with eco-friendly and bamboo specialist, UniGreen, Sybron has created this sustainable product with exceptional environmental properties, in response to growing customer demand. SySoft Luxury Bamboo Toilet Tissue will appeal to Sybron’s environmentally committed customers, in particular premium hotels working towards reducing their carbon footprint. It is available in cases of 48, 3ply rolls with 200 sheets per roll. SySoft Luxury Bamboo Toilet Tissue is made from 100% bamboo and the packaging is plastic-free. The many environmental benefits of bamboo are widely known: it is recyclable, biodegradable and compostable; it is the single fastest growing plant, fully grown within three to five years, versus 30-50 years for trees; it thrives in depleted soil and retains soil moisture, encouraging re-growth; it generates 38% more oxygen and removes more carbon dioxide from the air than trees; it prevents deforestation by eliminating the need to cut down trees. “With the launch of SySoft Luxury Bamboo Toilet Tissue, Sybron continues its ambition to work towards a greener future,” says Sybron’s sales and marketing director, George Mason. “SySoft customers will know they are helping to create a sustainable future for the planet by replacing wood pulp paper and plastic goods with products made from bamboo, the world’s fastest growing renewable plant source, and by supporting communities and creating jobs.” UniGreen is working towards a greener future, by aiming to replace all wood pulp paper and plastic consumable goods with products made from bamboo. “Sybron is working hard to provide customers with products that minimise environmental impact, making this a meaningful partnership,” says UniGreen’s Bakhtiar Hanan. “Bamboo products are the path to a future where our forests can breathe freely and our oceans flourish once again. We believe strongly that our success will be measured by the legacy we leave behind – how we impact the life of humans, the planet and its amazing species.” SySoft is Sybron’s second own brand to launch this year, following the launch in January of SyBio, a range of biotechnology-based products that combines probiotic, enzyme and plant-based ingredients to maximise performance with minimal environmental impact. Sybron’s dedicated teams work with customers to offer the best products specific to their business. For more information go to www.sybron.co.uk.

A thriving Staffordshire Moorlands community cricket club has been bowled over by a five-year support deal from digger giant JCB. Oakamoor Cricket Club has secured £2,000 sponsorship from the company which will see all men’s and women’s teams as well as a host of boys and girls junior squads sporting new JCB playing shirts. The club play home games and practise at the Davies/Worthington Memorial Ground, Mill Road, and regularly fields six adult teams and junior squads ranging from under 8s through to under 16s, competing in games across North Staffordshire and South Cheshire. Club spokesman Jonathan Wood, HR Business Partner at JCB, said: “Oakamoor is a thriving cricket club and we pride ourselves on making the game accessible to all at both competitive and friendly levels. We have six adult teams and more than 100 children a week attending our practice sessions on a Friday evening. This sponsorship makes a great difference to our long-term future and every single player will be proud to wear their JCB shirts. We hope to represent the JCB name with winning results on the cricket field over the coming season and beyond.”

Family businesses are vital to the UK economy and contribute hundreds of billions to the UK’s GDP. They have unique advantages including shared values, enduring trust, and a central commitment to the long term future of the business. However, like any other business they must also consider the challenges that confront them, and for a family run business, clear and sustainable governance can sometimes be a key challenge. There are of course two types of governance relevant to a family in business – corporate governance of the business itself, and family governance. This article focuses on the corporate governance, although in many families there will be cross over between the two and many of the principles discussed below will equally be relevant to family governance. Governance is central to ensuring a family business’s long-term profitability and sustainability. In this article, we’ll look at some tips for family businesses on how to conduct themselves in a way that fosters professionalism, openness, collaboration and allows the family to develop their business in harmony with each other. When family businesses are considering their governance, I suggest that we start with three core themes: structure, communication and planning. STRUCTURE From the legal perspective the structure of a business is crucial. The directors must know of and understand their legal duties to the company, and particularly where there is a group of companies, how to balance their duties (for example, to act in the best interests of the company) when sitting on the boards of more than one company in the group. Attention must be paid to conflicts of interest, which must be managed appropriately, and the company should have appropriate constitutional documents which clearly lay out the rights and responsibilities of both the shareholders and the directors. 1. Define clear roles and responsibilities Establishing clear duties and responsibilities is one of the key components of successful governance in any business, but particularly so where a business has both family members and non-family employees and executives. People, at whatever level, need to know what is expected of them, who is supervising them and what the chain of command is. Confusion over areas of responsibility can easily breed resentment and cause longer term difficulties. Businesses need their people motivated and working together, whether shareholders with executive roles, employees or directors. Having clearly defined responsibilities encourages professionalism, accountability and transparency, which then feeds into the bigger business picture by reducing the risk of tension between those with overlapping roles and promoting organisational efficiency. Having clearly defined roles will also assist in the legal sense of a businesses’ structure – both the company and the relevant individuals will know whether they have legal directors’ duties and to which company, because their role is clearly defined and they have a good understanding of which elements of the company they are responsible for. 2. Consider the value of independence in your governance structures Independent directors or an independent advisory function such as an advisory board are both governance structures that family firms can use to their advantage. Including outside experts, with a range of specialties and experiences, ensures objective decision making as well as offering new insights and a diversity of thought. Independent directors can offer direction, question presumptions, and even sometimes mediate during contentious conversations, minimising potential conflicts and being a great resource for growth. Again, the legal structure is crucial here – any director, particularly those who are new or non-family, must be clear on the board’s powers and responsibilities, what decisions the board is empowered by the company’s articles to take and what decisions are reserved to the shareholders. Without sufficient clarity on the legal constitution of the company, mistakes can be made and disputes may arise. 3. Professionalise management and operations In some family businesses where governance has evolved over time, some thought might need to be given to the processes currently in place and how those might be strengthened or modernised to reflect the current duties of the directors, as well as the markets the business is operating in. Clear management structures, with high expectations for performance, robust decision making procedures, and fostering a meritocratic culture are all signs of a professional, results focussed environment. Family members seeking to join the family firm may wish to pursue education and experience outside the business first in order to bring in new perspectives and best practices. The business becomes more competitive, versatile, and better positioned for long-term growth by professionalising its management and operations. COMMUNICATION Promote open communication and transparency: All businesses must have effective communication, but this is particularly true of a family business. Transparency and communication are most effective when led from the top, and communication between family members as well as between family and non-family executives should be encouraged. Regular family gatherings, management reviews, and open lines of communication help to foster mutual respect and informed decision-making. Again, clear corporate documents, so that everyone is clear what decisions the board is empowered to take and what role the shareholders must play, is key in building transparency throughout the company. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Implement succession planning: Planning for succession is a crucial part of effective management in family businesses. The more preparation and effective management of the succession question that a company can invest in, the more likely it is to guarantee a smooth transfer, maintain continuity, and prevent potential disputes. The future leaders of the company should be prepared for the role and supported in taking it, with their skills already matched with the demands of the company. Succession planning can be complicated, but the earlier the conversations start and the more open board/family members are about their expectations and the process, the more likely the company will benefit from a smooth and well managed transition. In order to formalise processes around big decisions such as board members and succession one option is to consider a family constitution document, which can outline the goals and governing principles of the family business and serves as a compass for the family throughout generations as well as at key moments such as generational handover. A constitution can help to develop a family’s a common understanding of their collective objectives, plans for the family’s and business’s future, methods for resolving disputes, and more general decision-making procedures. Whilst often a family will wish to keep as much flexibility as possible, and not be tied down by very prescriptive rules, a family constitution can be as flexible as the family requires, whilst still assisting by formalising certain rules or processes and encouraging accountability, fairness, and transparency which can help to guard the long-term stability of the company. Family businesses are often entirely individual in the way that their governance structures and internal procedures evolve, and while of course each business’s governance systems are as unique as the business itself it is useful to think about how decisions get made, making sure the directors properly fulfil their duties to the company and that there is a clear division of responsibility and chain of command. This will stand the business in good stead for growth and any challenges that may lie ahead. About the Author - Emily Nicholson Emily is a Partner in Mishcon Private . Her practice centres on complex commercial cases and she acts for a wide range of clients including individuals, families, companies and not for profit organisations. She has experience across a range of commercial disputes and in a variety of forums, often acting for international clients in complex and multi-faceted disputes. In particular she has experience in breaches of contract, confidence and fiduciary duty, fraud claims and shareholder disputes. As a key part of her offering, Emily acts as a trusted advisor to her clients - assisting with any dispute that might arise including issues between partners (business and romantic), disputes over gifts/loans, problems involving privacy and data protection or issues with friends and family.

Dorset’s Douch Family Funeral Directors was named family business of the year for ‘health and welfare’. It was also runner-up in the overall ‘family business of the year’ category for the south and south-west region. The company that has seven branches in the county was presented with its award at a glittering ceremony in London. It was praised for its deep engagement with staff, its commitment to providing the utmost care for client families, as well as making impactful contributions to the local community. The awards are run by Family Business United (FBU), which exists to promote and celebrate family-run companies. Douch Family Funeral Directors has been family owned and run since it was founded in 1910. It places a great emphasis on the family histories of all its branches – keeping the traditional names – and treats staff as family members. Managing Director Nick Douch and Director Jonathan Stretch were at the ceremony held at the Royal College of Physicians to receive the award from John Kettner, a sponsor from Vantage Venues. Nick said: “We are proud to be a family business and our fifth generation is now represented. It was particularly pleasing to win the health and welfare award because we place a great deal of emphasis on this area. Our clients are often elderly, deeply upset and in mourning so we have to be conscious of that and act and behave accordingly. And we also ensure we are mindful of the health and welfare of our staff because they are all part of the family and are our most important people.” “The judges also acknowledged our dedication to ‘driving change’ and ‘investing in the future’. We were runners-up overall in the south and south-west region and this was a great achievement because of the quality of the other businesses shortlisted.” Paul Andrews, founder of FBU, said: “Family businesses are the engine room of the UK economy and with six million family firms employing around 14 million people in all corners of the country they make a massive impact each and every day.” “Incomes are generated, jobs provided and wealth created, but as one of the family members said to me: ‘That is just the tip of the iceberg. Family businesses care and want to be seen as doing the right thing, doing business the right way.’”

Established in 1962 by George Goodfellow, Minnitron is a resounding British success story. From its beginnings in what was quite literally a garden shed, the company has grown into one of the country’s leading PCB manufacturers, offering a design, assembly and prototyping service, with a global customer base and an unbeatable reputation for reliability and professionalism. As a family run business, they have maintained their core values of hard work, high standards and honesty, despite the company’s ever-increasing size. This ethos has helped the business survive and flourish, even through times of economic instability. Based in Ramsgate, Kent, they now employ a workforce of around 20 skilled staff. Having a fully equipped PCB manufacturing plant in the UK enables us to deal with all types of customer requirements and provide a prompt, reliable service at all times. The business began back in 1962 when George set up the business in his garden shed in Minnis Bay in Kent and with his natural skills as an engineer, he soon gained a reputation for being the ‘go to’ person which led to the formation of the business which is still going strong today. Today, Minnitron is run by George’s Grandson, Paul Goodfellow and his wife Kirsty, who continue to drive the business forward. As Paul explains, “Grandad had an electrical shop in Birchington that sold TV’s and radios and he had a good knowledge of electrics too. He was a keen inventor and as a hobby liked to race small remote controlled boats and planes. They would often get damaged and were expensive to repair so he built his own machine that could print the miniature PCBs that helped them run again. News soon travelled and soon he was in demand to repair other broken boats and planes too!” “At the same time, my Dad worked for a company that made circuit boards and he was able to share the knowledge with my Grandad and that led to building boards,” he continues. “The business grew quickly for George and Dad soon joined the business. He had the right skills to help grow the business and their reputation as a quality manufacturer grew too. During the 1980’s there was widespread growth across the UK manufacturing sector and Minnitron was well placed to take full advantage of the opportunity, investing in innovative, sate-of-the-art technology,” continues Paul. It was at this time that Paul joined the family firm, having grown up working in the business and he soon started to add his stamp as the business grew further. “I got involved creating internal systems and helped to further professionalise the business with the structures and procedures we needed as a business to compete with overseas suppliers,” continued Paul. “It helped us develop an edge over the competition and to deliver products quickly, something that we continue to do to this day, as we have an excellent reputation for delivering on time,” he adds. This is a family business that has strong family values at their core, something that has been of real benefit to the business over the years. “We have always had good staff retention and some of our staff have been with us for many years. One of our longest serving employees has just completed 48 years of service,” continues Paul. As a family business that is now well into the third generation, staff loyalty and service is one of the main reasons the business has stayed the test of time. As Paul continues, “The other factor that has contributed to our longevity is undoubtedly our adaptability and investment over the years. We have built a strong business, supporting local businesses and local people with employment and invested to ensure that we continue to do what we do, doing it well and supporting our customers at the same time.” “We are proud to be a family business, proud to be a UK based manufacturing business and delighted to continue to build on the entrepreneurial endeavours that saw the creation of Minnitron by my Grandad over sixty years ago,” concludes Paul.

Much loved jewellery brand F. Hinds has celebrated success at the Family Business Awards 2023, taking home the coveted Retail Family Business of the Year 2023 prize. F. Hinds are a family run jewellers established in 1856 and have been independently family owned and run ever since. Their fantastic customer service and quality products have positioned the brand as Britain’s leading independent jeweller, with 115 stores and 13 Chapelle outlet stores in the UK and plans to expand further. The firm has seen seven generations of family run the company since it’s opening, and today Andrew, David, Jeremy, Neil and Paul Hinds still work hard to ensure the success of their family’s outstanding reputation and dedication to their valued customers. In addition, F. Hinds also centre their ethos around social responsibility, and the desire to support charities and causes including Children in Need, Disasters Emergency Committee and British Heart Foundation, for which over £50,000 has been raised through various campaigns run throughout stores. Their prize of ‘Retail Family Business of the Year 2023’ is a prestigious award and featured a line-up of exceptional nominees based across the UK. Paul Andrews, the CEO of Family Business United who host the awards, commented “Family firms are the backbone of the UK economy and contribute significantly in so many ways. Family firms deserve all the recognition they can get for all the good that they do in terms of employment, income generation and wealth creation, not forgetting their continued charitable endeavours and investment in the communities in which they operate.” Paul continues, “These awards are now in their eleventh year and each year they have raised the profile of the sector, crowned some incredible winners and discovered some true family business gems along the way. Winners over the years have come from all corners of the UK, been large and small, multi-generational and starting out but above all they share their underlying values, purpose and desire to succeed as a family firm." F. Hinds have celebrated their moment in the spotlight by showcasing their success across their social media platforms, adding another accolade to an already impressive line-up of triumphs. Paul Hinds, Managing Director at F. Hinds commented “Being a family business is at the heart of our business's values. We are delighted that we have been recognised as leaders in our field by Family Business United, an organisation of which we are proud members. We also congratulate all the other winners, who are great examples of an underappreciated part of the UK economy.”

The culmination of the Family Business of the Year Awards 2023 saw Woolcool take home the titles for the Midlands & Central region and Innovation & Sustainability Family Business of the Year at a gala awards evening held at The Royal College of Physicians in Regent’s Park in London. Organised by Family Business United, these prestigious awards are now a firm fixture in the family business calendar and celebrate the very best of British family firms from all corners of the UK. Awards are given by region, sector and nationally in recognition of qualities such as entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability, community engagement and ultimately one family business is crowned the Supreme Champions. As Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of Family Business United explains, “As an organisation we champion and celebrate family-owned businesses across the UK, recognising the contribution they make in terms of employment, income generation and wealth creation as well as the impact they have on the communities in which they operate.” “Since 2012 these awards have grown to become something really special, recognising family firms from all sectors, young and multi-generational family firms alike, large and small but all sharing the same underlying values, pride and passion for what they do and a strong desire to do business the right way. Each of the winners is a great business with a strong narrative and is a great ambassador for the broader family business community too.” Woolcool is a pioneering packaging company. Woolcool® was launched in 2008 and the innovative, sustainable design has scooped an impressive haul of awards in the packaging, business, and environmental arenas. Woolcool® remains the leading packaging company using a range of sheeps wool insulated packaging available on an international scale. Colleen Gostick, partner at Buckles who sponsored the Midlands & Central award adds that “The Midlands is awash with some amazing family firms, but Woolcool is a deserving winner and a great ambassador for the region, and the family business community. They are a credible business, steeped in innovation and authenticity and a desire to make a broader impact through the work that they do.” “The business is underpinned by their core values, Belief, Honesty, Responsibility, Innovation, Empathy and Legacy and whilst recognising their heritage have their eyes firmly on the future under the leadership of the next generation. This is a business that is simply outstanding in what they do and the way that they do it,” adds Colleen. As Laura Hayward, Head of Family Business at Evelyn Partners who sponsored the Innovation and Sustainability award confirms: “The judges were impressed with the clear and impressive sustainability credentials presented by Woolcool and the continual innovation within the business. This is not their first award for innovation and sustainability and is unlikely to be their last. They are world class in what they do and the way that they do it. They care. They invest. They are making a difference.” Angela Morris, CEO who collected the awards added: “As a second-generation family business founded on ecological principles, we are so proud to have been recognised as the Midlands & Central Region and Innovation & Sustainability Family Business of the Year. Now, after two decades of serious academic research and design innovation using sustainable natural materials, these prestigious awards acknowledge both the pioneering position we took many years ago and the results we have achieved since.” As Paul concludes, “Family businesses are the engine room of the UK economy, and these awards celebrate their contribution. It was great to bring the family business community back together in person to recognise the incredible family firms that operate throughout the UK and to crown some fantastic winners.” “Congratulations to Woolcool on winning these awards. It is fantastic recognition of what they do as a business, and it was a pleasure to present them with the award during a fantastic evening that once more put the family business sector on the map.”

Dorset racing driver Reza Seewooruthun has secured support from Hendy Land Rover in Christchurch as the 16-year-old takes his first steps towards becoming a Formula One driver. The youngster is driving in the Ginetta Junior Championship this year and has already secured several podium wins in the competitive series where he is bidding for the rookie championship title. And it’s a busy year for the youngster who is a sporting scholar at Canford School and taking his GCSEs this summer. “Although my ambitions are to become a Formula One driver Land Rover has a special place in my heart as I remember off roading in a Defender when I was very young with my dad and brother so it means a lot to have the backing and support of Hendy Land Rover this season,” said Reza. “The support of local companies such as Hendy means that I can have the opportunity to compete in such a competitive series and hopefully move up the motorsport ladder.” Last year Reza was English Junior Rotax Karting champion, a sport he took up when he was 13 years old. Once his CGSEs are complete Reza will be studying with the Minerva Academy, a remote school which works with young racing drivers to help them combine education with their racing careers. Andy Grant, Hendy Group’s head of brand performance for Jaguar and Land Rover said it was always exciting to be able to support up and coming talent. “Reza has tremendous talent, ambition and confidence and we are all following his season with interest,” he said.

Yorkshire-based Duvalay has been successful at this year’s Family Business of the Year Awards after winning the Family Business of the Year Award in the Homes & Gardens category. Duvalay, which sells sleep products globally to both the leisure and homes markets, has had its most successful year to date, with the award win recognising the significant growth the company has experienced. Turnover has increased to over £12.5m, as well as acquiring Nursery Connections – the UK’s leading manufacturer of cot mattresses in a pre-pack administration deal that safeguarded over 35 jobs. The awards, which were held at Royal College of Physicians Museum, are hosted by Family Business United (FBU), a leading global family business community. Their aim is to provide resources as well as helping to raise the profile of the family business sector. Elizabeth Colleran, Sales & Marketing Director at Duvalay, says: “We’re over the moon to have won this award as it recognises and celebrates the success stories of family businesses throughout the UK.” “Duvalay is currently undergoing a period of significant growth through product launches including new mattress collections for the home and through acquisitions of similar businesses. This award win is testament to the work that not only the leadership team are currently doing, but also the wider Duvalay family of employees who all play a vital role in our continued success story.” Having been founded in 2003 by husband-and-wife team, Alan and Liz Colleran, the business leadership team has grown to include their sons, Thomas and William, who hold the roles of Commercial Director and Finance Director respectively. For more information, visit www.Duvalay.co.uk

The new owners behind troubled Wroxall Abbey Hotel in Warwickshire have pledged to ‘rebuild trust in the community’ as they announce huge plans for the site. The Warwick venue, which reopened its doors last autumn, has unveiled a million-pound refurbishment and expansion under its new ownership of ONS International Ltd T/A. It marks a bright new chapter for the historic four-star hotel which has twice gone into administration in the last four years. Some months after its sudden closure in October 2019, Trinity Hotel Ltd reopened Wroxall Abbey following refurbishment works, in June 2021. But it was never to recover from the negative impact of national lockdown restrictions due to the pandemic and fell into administration a year later, in July 2022. Today, its family owners have revealed plans for huge new investment in the Victorian neo-Gothic brick mansion hotel, a former girls’ school and one-time country estate of architect Sir Christopher Wren. Company Director Paresh Thakkar said: “We acknowledge the rich history of Wroxall Abbey and understand it’s significant importance and value to the local community." “While we understand the negative press that has surrounded Wroxall Abbey in the past, especially with the recent administration, our main goal as a business is to restore the historic reputation of this magnificent estate, re-building trust with the community and to provide a high-quality service for our guests.” Since its takeover in September, the business has obtained a wedding licence and launched afternoon tea and Sunday lunch menus. Most popular among the local community though is the reopening, after five years, of the 14th century church. Wroxall Abbey is the only hotel in the country with its own on-site chapel, and since March, it has been recommissioned and holding Sunday services again for The Order of St. Leonards as well as hosting weddings and christenings. Following the services, the congregation are then welcomed into the hotel to enjoy complimentary refreshments. The hotel was originally founded as a Benedictine nunnery by Hugh fitz Richard of Hatton in the middle of the 12th century. The church was built in around 1315, originally part of the priory itself and the only part that remains standing. In recent history it was made into a cathedral of the Free Methodist Church but has been returned to The Church of England under its new owners. The hotel currently offers 73 bedrooms, plus six conference rooms, a patio garden overlooking the 27-acre grounds, Henry’s Lounge & Bar and Henry’s Restaurant which serves seasonal British and Mediterranean cuisine as well as Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea. Ambitious future plans now include a new state-of-the-art spa and health club and renovation of the Courtyard Building to create an additional 24 bedrooms by the end of next year. Developed in 1866, The Courtyard formed a large part of the estate when it was transformed into a school. Paresh added: “Our dedicated team are aware of the continuous and challenging up-keep with the Grade II listed building. Our business has the long-term vision to continue to transform Wroxall Abbey into a beautiful and luxurious venue." “This is a family-run four-star hotel and we do things a little bit differently but our key objectives now are to always look after our guests and move forward with our grand plans." “We sincerely hope that you share our exciting vision for the future of Wroxall Abbey and we look forward to sharing our developments along our journey.”