Family Business United founder Paul Andrews interviews Stuart Dantzic, the second generation Managing Director of Caribbean Blinds UK Ltd to gain an insight into the family firm through the eyes of the next generation. As well as appreciating the role that Stuart has today and his clear pride and passion for the products they make and their plans for growth going forward, we learn about the steps taken by the next gen as they took their first steps in leading the family business after the baton was passed to them by their parents, the founders of the business.

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Chairman and CEO, Ayala Corporation shares his family business insight into the value of stewardship in changing times.

John Broons interviews another Australian family business and gains some great insights that we can all learn from.

Peter Leach is one of the leading family business experts globally and here he looks at why it is important to have a mix of family and non-family on the board of a family business and at the role of non-executive directors.

A major challenge that family business leaders face today is inefficient and ineffective succession planning. There is every reason to get it right, but too often the process is not given enough consideration. Have you ever thought why this might be the case? Listen to Wayne Rivers from The Family Business Institute as he explains the Top 9 reasons why family businesses struggle with succession planning.

The economy is quietly dominated by family businesses, but they tend to be short-lived: few make it to the third generation. Victoria Mars YC ’78, part of the fourth generation of her family at Mars Inc., told Yale Insights that the company’s culture and mission play a key role in keeping each generation involved and ready to take over.

Stewardship: it’s a seemingly old-fashioned term, thought to have been first used in the 15th century, and, at first sight, maybe somewhat obsolete in today’s business world of quarterly profits and shareholder value. But although it’s a centuries-old term, it may still resonate today, particularly with family businesses. INSEAD Professor Randel Carlock explains more.

In the latest of the Family Business Insight series, Paul Andrews interviews Jake Karia, Managing Director of award winning Food Attraction, owners of the Jake and Nayns food brand. Hear the personal insight from Jake Karia into the growth and development of the family firm that was inspired by the tasty meals prepared by his Mum growing up. An award winning business that has grown significantly over the years, continues to invest and despite the global pandemic is looking forward positively to the future.

Ridgeview is an award-winning family business set in East Sussex run by CEO Tamara Roberts and family who are a pioneering family business producing English Sparkling Wines and celebrating 25 years as a family firm in 2020. Tamara shares her thoughts on growing up in the family firm, their journey to date and the investment that they are making for the future.

With an ever-growing portfolio of leading and innovative brands, Challs successfully continue to change the way we clean. Founded in 1990, Challs has been developing household cleaning products for 25 years. Paul Andrews spoke to the next generation to find out more. The Challs brands are found in millions of homes and businesses in 11 countries that span the continents. They are available in most major retailers, both grocery and DIY and independent stores. Challs’ portfolio of leading brands include Buster®, Bin Buddy® and Knaus®. These products are sold internationally by major retailers. Challs also offers an own label and contract manufacturing facility through partner Primo Manufacturing from their base in East Anglia. Edward and Miles Burchell are the next generation of the family to have roles in the business, working with their father Graham, the current CEO. Edward joined the business just over a year ago and is working in Operations and Miles is currently working as a Marketing Assistant. Like many families, the brothers have different skill sets and their journey to the family firm has been varied, but one thing they have in common is a passion for the family firm and a desire to make a difference. Both have been involved growing up with various roles in the business over the years and Miles is currently working in the business with no fixed term of tenure. Miles has a passion for film and TV and worked in the business whilst at university to see what the business ‘is really like and not just to have Dad’s perspective on it.’ Unsure as to where his career will take him he is making the most of his degree and producing videos for the business, amongst other things, to help with brand positioning and marketing. As Miles adds, “I am enjoying the role as it is allowing me to commercially adapt the skills that I have learned at University and to see how they adapt to working in a real business – the fact that it is our family business is a real bonus.” Edward on the other hand has taken a formal role in the business, a role that is continuing to develop and evolve over time. Edward has a scientific background and was previously working as a nuclear engineer before joining the business where he is getting to grips with operations. As Edward explains, “There is a lot going on with the business operationally as we are changing the way we work, integrating new production lines that will help increase efficiency and productivity, and as everything we sell is made here in the factory, it is a great time to be involved and to see the plans being implemented.” Clearly defined roles mean that both Edward and Miles know what they are responsible for and clearly relish the opportunities. Miles is clearly delighted to be supporting the video content for the online platforms and Edward is keen to ensure the new lines are up and running as quickly as possible too. Both are well aware of their roles and the fact that as the next generation the ‘eyes of the world’ are on them as it is their family name and reputation that is on the line, a challenge that they relish. Edward adds that “It was a really good time for me to join as the business was changing. Having begun in the front room of Dad’s house it has changed enormously and with the technical Director looking to retire it gave me a good start in the business – a real purpose where I was able to take over the technical role which is an area that Dad has never really been involved with.” Miles agrees adding that “Dad has continued to grow the business and embraced innovation and for me there is a lot I can add to help the business going forward.” Challs may be located in a new head office that was opened back in 2017 but it is located within eyesight of the building where it all began. “It really inspires us to see where the business actually started,” continues Miles, “and it gives us the push to continue. We started out as a small business but now we are so much more than that and our systems and procedures are continuing to evolve to keep pace with the growth on the organisation. It is really exciting to be a part of it.” The next generation are fully aware of the hard work and dedication that their father has put in to create the business that it is today, and mindful of integrating the family values into the evolving business too. “As a small business things just get done,” adds Miles, “but we are now changing the way we work and it is important that we maintain the culture of who we really are and with family involved that can be a real challenge, but, for me, that is what excites me and makes me come to work each and every day.” Miles and Edward are aware of some of the challenges that lie ahead but are open about discussions and clearly focused on the future. “Dad is still young and this business is his life and we are all aware that he will never step away completely and we are still young and finding our way so who knows what the future will bring but we are open about the need to discuss the business, succession and all that goes with it too,” adds Edward. Outside of the business there is also a sister and although not active in the business today, like her brothers, she worked during holidays growing up. Together, the next generation are one voice. “The primary aim of the three of us is to remain close as a family and we regularly have round the table chats about everything,” explains Miles “and Mum is a Director and involved in the discussions and the main board meetings so we have a healthy and open dialogue.” Miles and Edward clearly love what they do and are in total agreement about life in their family business. “It might not be for everyone but working in the family business is fantastic,” adds Edward and “there is simply no time to be bored with lots to do and the work is exciting too although there is a lot of it!” As with many family firms there is a lot of admiration for the staff, many of whom have worked for Challs for years and one thing is clear, as Edward explains, “whatever happens going forward Dad has made it clear that our people have to be cared for and as a family we want to create a real legacy, a legacy of love and emotional support for our team, those that we have known and who have worked for us for many years.” Life in the family firm is also rewarding in many ways. For Miles, “Being involved in a new product and developing something that you can then see on the supermarket shelves is really exciting and it gives me an extra buzz knowing that it is for our family business. You work on something conceptual for so long and then you actually see it on the shelves which is great!” Challs is a family business that is going places and continues to create new milestones. As Miles is the first to admit, “It is an exciting time to be here and we are a family firm that is always going to be busy – even the plateaux will be inclines, but as one of the next generation there is a real energy and great plans for the future so lots of opportunity too.” This is a family firm that is embracing the opportunities available, developing a global presence and really changing the way the world cleans with a next generation that is proud to be involved and actively taking part in the next stages of the journey too. To find out more visit www.challs.com

The story of Cartwright and Butler is a story of family and their love of baking that spans over five generations. You would be forgiven for thinking that the families involved were the Cartwrights and the Butlers, but this is real life and things are seldom so simple. Instead, it begins with the Adam sisters, Jennie and Kathrine who lived in a house down Derringham Street in Hull, in the North of England. The third sister Maria was already married to Charles Arnett. Upon the death of their father Henry Fearn Adam in 1903 their step mother returned to Scotland leaving them without an income. As a result, Jennie and Kathrine turned the front room of their house into a shop offering the unconventional pairing of sewing and baking. It wasn’t long before their natural talent for baking saw them leave the sewing behind with a move to new and bigger premises of J&K Adam in Princes Avenue Hull where their sister Maria also worked. The Bakery was born along with a reputation for some of the finest breads, pies, cakes, biscuits, puddings and preserves in Hull. Later, the Arnetts (remember them? We said they would be back) who had their own small chain of bakery shops by now bought J&K Adam and the families were united over their joint passion to be the finest bakers in the North. It is the direct decedents of the Arnetts, three brothers, who still run the business today, along with that same passion to make finest products possible, still burning just as bright. But, we’re getting ahead of ourselves and need to return to the 1930’s… To be an Arnett is to be a baker and so it was always going to be simply a matter of time before the next generation would continue the family legacy, with two cousins (Gordon Arnett, the grandfather of today’s owners and another Kathleen Arnett) taking over a shop and café in the village of Cottingham, Yorkshire. More tough times were around the corner and in 1939 World War Two broke out and with-it food rationing was introduced. During the early war years Gordon Arnett took over a bakery in Norfolk Street Hull and with ingredients now in such short supply the shop would sell out everything they made within the first few hours of opening each day. In 1946 immediately after the war The Cake Shop was acquired in North Bar within Beverley and the business flourished. An article in The British Baker dated 1st April 1955 at the opening of the refurbished Cake Shop which now included the shop next door, had Grandfather Arnett already looking ahead to the time when his two sons John and Charles would take over the business, despite them being only twelve and eight at the time! It wasn’t until the middle 60s that this was to happen. By now the Arnetts’ reputation for being skilled bakers was gaining national attention and they were selling their cakes and biscuits across the country in stores with such wonderfully old-fashioned British names as The Army & Navy Stores, The Civil Service Stores and the legendary Barkers of Kensington A lot of this success was down to the hampers that they were included in. Here was an opportunity to showcase their skill in making not just luxury cakes and biscuits but also classic puddings and mince pies. Now diversification was happening with the starting of Beaverlac Home Bakery firstly in Beverley and then moving to Beverley Manor, Park Avenue Hull in 1980. In the 1990’s there was further diversification into the Yorkshire Farm Bakery where a range of boxed cakes using innovative packaging were produced. This range was added to in the early 2000’s by a comprehensive range of gluten free breads and cakes which supplied the needs of a growing market. With a new generation of Arnetts now running the business, it was time for the next evolution of the business. The brothers were concerned at what they saw at this time in Britain. Food was going through a bit of a crisis. Taste was being forsaken for profit. Chemists were replacing cooks. The joy of eating was being replaced with an obsession with calorie counting. All of which was an anathema to the Arnetts. Here was a family who for generations not only prided themselves on mastering the art of baking, but who derived great personal pleasure from food and the sharing with friends and family that went with it. Enough was enough, they were going to bring back unadulterated joy to the British teatime table. They would go back to what Jennie and Kathrine did – bake great tasting biscuit and cakes and preserves, the kind that put the biggest of smiles onto faces. Looking around to supplement their skill as bakers they bought a small company making jams and preserves with the simple aim to make them better than homemade. So enamoured with these products were the brothers that they decided to keep the name, Cartwright and Butler. Whatever the next chapter holds for the Arnett family of bakers you can be sure of one thing, that passion for making only the finest products, that is at the heart of who they are and have been for generations will continue for years to come. To find out more please visit www.cartwrightandbutler.co.uk

John Falder, managing director of HMG Paints and his son Jonathan Falder discuss how their values are part of who they are. John Falder, managing director of HMG Paints and his son Jonathan Falder, operations manager of HMG Paints are the 4th and 5th generation working for their family business HMG Paints. Established in 1930 with two employees and a single product (capping solution), HMG Paints is now the largest independent paint manufacturer in the UK. “It’s not about writing stuff down, I mean, you write stuff down and it just goes in a cabinet or whatever. It’s actually what you do, it’s how you live it really, it’s what we do,” explains John. Valuing What We Do “Our values are the core of everything” John explains, “they are the first pillar of what we do and why we do it. Our values of decent, worthwhile, secure, underpin what we are all about. None of them are more important, because they work together. Those three words are our benchmark for decision making. I inherited another very useful question from my father, what are we really trying to do? This gets to the core of the purpose of HMG Paints, great, we’ve grown the business by 20%, but what we are really trying to do? Is it a good thing that’s happened, or is it just being big, or is it just growing for the sake of growing? Is the company, the people in the business in a better position at the end of the year than we were at the beginning of the year?” Reflecting on HMG Paints as a business family, it has thirteen third generation families currently in the business, both father and son believe their strong values and purpose play a key role. It also gives HMG Paints an enviable competitive edge, their average length of service is around 15 years. For John, the loyalty of their people is “a good barometer whether we are doing it right, because if you are in a good place to work, you want your family to work here.” Making It Worthwhile Investing in the next generation of Collyhurst talent also makes a lot of sense for HMG Paints. Their Next Generation Coatings programme with local academies and secondary schools brings 14-year-old into the business. “During second world war, there was 14-year-old, 15-year-old, and 16-year-old running HMG because all the young men had gone to fight, all of our staff had gone,” points out Jonathan, “so my father came up with the idea if a 14–year-old, my grandfather, Ronnie Harvey and Albert Moore, aged 15 and 16, could run HMG, so can today’s 14-year-old and 15-year-old.” A programme set up because it felt like the right thing to do benefits HMG Paints. “One of the original next generation coatings is now a trainee accountant and is doing spectacularly well in the business,” and while some of the local kids did not end up joining the business, they found their direction, and for Jonathan, “that’s just as good as someone who joined the business.” “To me as a next gen, it makes an enormous amount of sense, this is where we live. We have been in Collyhurst since 1930, it is our home, why on earth wouldn’t we want to make it better for both ourselves and the local community?” Securing The Future It may sound counter intuitive but being secure keeps HMG Paints agile, as Jonathan tells us, “the security part of it is being in many different market areas, and what we find is, sometimes a market area becomes uncompetitive, sometimes it drops off a cliff. There are many different pillars, if one pillar falls, the rest of the pillars hold up the business. For example, looking through the top 10 products sold today, not one product in the top 10 now, was there five years ago. So, secure is being able to adapt quickly and evolve your business.” From discussing a new concept in nail polish with a client and testing it on the nails of the same client an hour later, to creating the next generation of coatings because if you are not constantly thinking what’s the next thing, then somebody else will think of it and leap ahead of you. Decent, worthwhile, secure has nurtured, over the generations, a collective passion for coatings in the HMG Paints family. Their enthusiasm to ‘move the game on again’ makes them leaders in their market, built loyalty in both their customers and people, and helps bring prosperity to their local community. This feature was first published by PwC as part of their Family Business Survey. It has been reproduced with their permission. Visit their website here to find out more.