Sudbury manufacturer of external shading solutions, Caribbean Blinds, has brought a whole new meaning to “outdoor living” this festive season after celebrating the soft launch of its visionary Dream Gardens show site yesterday. Over the past 12 months, the Caribbean Blinds team has dedicated unwavering effort to crafting the immersive show site, spanning an impressive 2,500 sq/ft, at its recently extended factory in Woodhall Business Park. Designed to exhibit the epitome of opulent outdoor living, the Dream Gardens site comprises of five different models of Caribbean Blinds’ popular luxury pergola – branded the Outdoor Living Pod™ – and fitted out with additional accessories including decking, outdoor kitchens and furniture. More than just a showroom, the Dream Gardens have been designed as a transformative shopping experience, curated through collaborations with several premium outdoor living brands including Bridgman, Easigrass, in-lite®, Charlie Oven, DeliVita, Primo Grill and Millboard, empowering visitors to visualise the full potential of their outdoor spaces. Both local and trade press, as well as a number of home and garden influencers attended the soft launch event, held on Thursday 14th December, where they enjoyed an Alfresco Festive Feast served by the skilled team at Charlie Oven, who utilised their groundbreaking outdoor oven under Caribbean Blinds’ top of the line Prestige Pod. The menu featured succulent turkey with all the trimmings, homemade mince pies and English sparkling wine from Ridgeview Wine Estate, an award-wining winery in the South Downs. Amidst the festivities, Caribbean Blinds and guests also contributed to Family Business United’s Festive Parcel campaign, donating food parcels to support those in need across the UK. Stuart Dantzic, Managing Director at Caribbean Blinds, commented: “The soft launch of our Dream Gardens has been a great success and of monumental importance to the team at Caribbean Blinds. It was heartening to witness visitors explore our five show-stopping gardens which we have worked so hard to develop over the past 12 months. It was great to share this with friends, family, partners and the local community – what a wonderful way to celebrate the end of 2023. “Our Dream Gardens represent a collaborative effort, and I would like to extend my gratitude to the innovative and luxury outdoor living brands with whom we've had the pleasure of partnering with." “This launch is just the beginning, as we plan to host regular outdoor events in 2024. We eagerly anticipate welcoming more guests to showcase the epitome of outdoor dining and living at its finest.” For over 35 years, Caribbean Blinds has been a leading provider of innovative outdoor shading solutions – designing, manufacturing and installing its range of luxury pergolas, awnings and external blinds to both residential and commercial properties – transforming outdoor spaces into year-round living areas. To witness the superior features and benefits of Caribbean Blinds’ award-winning products first-hand, plan your visit to the Dream Gardens show site here

TEPS, a Hull and Yorkshire-based family-run Haulage, Storage, and Distribution company, is excited to announce the construction of a new warehouse and office. As part of the sixth generation John Good Group, TEPS is reinforcing its commitment to adapt and grow in response to market needs, which is being a strategic supply chain & logistics partner in the Hull and Yorkshire region. The new development will feature a state-of-the-art 25,000 sq. ft warehouse, capable of housing 5,000 pallets, alongside a 1,900 sq. ft office block. This expansion will not only increase TEPS's capacity to nearly 200,000 sq. ft but also enhance its operational efficiency. The new warehouse will create new roles and opportunities within the local area to be recruited for in 2024. In line with TEPS’s dedication to sustainability, the construction of their new warehouse and offices will repurpose materials from other locations within the group, helping to minimise the build’s environmental impact. This eco-conscious approach, reflecting the company's commitment to the planet, complements the recent achievement of operational carbon neutrality by TEPS and John Good Group. This integration of sustainable practices, including the implementation of solar energy, highlights the company's balanced approach to growth and environmental responsibility. Managing Director of TEPS, Paul Fordon, comments, “This expansion is a significant milestone for TEPS. By constructing this new warehouse and office space, we are not just scaling our operations but also reaffirming our dedication to our clients and the environment. The integration of the new offices within the warehouse facility is a testament to our commitment to operational excellence.” Adam Walsh, CEO of John Good Group, adds, “I’m delighted we were able to give the green light for TEPS on this multi-million-pound investment into the site. It’s a real vote of confidence in Paul and the team, who consistently deliver a service that makes them a standout operator in the region. I’m also pleased we were able to include a new office block in the development." "Our people make the difference in our business, and to give them a new home with far superior facilities will help us retain and attract talent for years to come.” Scheduled for completion in Spring 2024, this new facility is set to be a major milestone in TEPS’s growth strategy, solidifying its position as a leader in the warehousing, storage, and distribution sector. This development is not just a response to growing demand but also a proactive step towards a more efficient, sustainable future in logistics.

During December, Perrywood Garden Centres in Tiptree and Sudbury gifted seasonal planted containers to Abberton Rural Training, The Red Rose Community Farm and The Tiptree Community Hub. This is a part of their Christmas Cheer campaign to thank volunteers who kindly give up their time to support these amazing charities and community group. Abberton Rural Training is an educational charity providing practical and skills training alongside therapeutic support and mentoring to the residents of Essex and surrounding areas. The Red Rose Community Farm located near Sudbury (run by The Befriending Scheme) provides a therapeutic environment with friendship and learning opportunities for those with learning disabilities, people suffering from ill mental health, and vulnerable children and families. The Tiptree Community Hub provides a range of services for the local community such as access to free food and supporting good physical and mental health. Louise Smith, Senior Communications Manager, comments, "I’ve helped organise our Christmas Cheer campaign for a number of years now and the enjoyment of delivering them hasn’t wavered." "It is an honour to gift the planters to well deserving volunteers or someone in need of a little lift. Visiting the charities we support and local community groups is always inspiring, the work they do is so valuable and this is even more apparent when you visit and see the huge smiles from those that benefit”

A Lancaster hotel is giving a local fundraiser a night out to remember in recognition of the charity work he has done over the last decade. Neil Holroyd has been raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK for many years across the Lancaster area. In 2013 he established an annual board game day, working in partnership with Lancaster House Hotel as the location to host his event. Having raised over £10,500 in that time with the help of event participants and sponsors each year, the hotel decided to present Neil with a complimentary dinner and B&B stay for two to reward him for his sterling fundraising efforts. The Prostate Cancer UK board game day invites gaming enthusiasts of all ages and abilities to meet each year and pit their wits against each other. It attracts around 150 players, from as far afield as Tyneside in the North and Devon in the South. And perhaps surprisingly to those who are not aficionados, it is the non-traditional, modern and more interactive board games such as Wingspan, Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne and Catan which prove most popular with participants. From contemporary games like these to traditional favourites like Monopoly – preferably the Lancaster version played by guests at the hotel – there is something for everyone and Neil saw it as a fantastic platform from which to raise funds for his chosen charity. “The reason I started doing this was because Prostate Cancer UK was our adopted charity where I used to work and it’s a cause that perhaps doesn’t get as much coverage as others,” explains Neil. “There are so many people to thank for their generosity over these years. Gamers are truly fantastic people and have always given their time to keep this event going and increase donations to this worthy cause." “We’ve also had great support from local businesses and I’d particularly like to thank English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues for their kindness in allowing us to host the event at Lancaster House. It was a wonderful surprise when the hotel called me to say Happy Christmas and offer me a free dinner and stay. My wife Lou and I are greatly looking forward to it.” The board game day raised £1,209 this year and Neil hopes that this figure will increase to match the 2019 record performance of £1,610. Lancaster House Hotel general manager Emma Underwood adds: “With this being the tenth year of hosting Neil’s event, we really thought it was fitting to offer him some well deserved R&R to reward him for his tireless fundraising work. The board game day is an extremely popular event here at the hotel and long may it continue.” Across the UK, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. More than 52,000 are diagnosed each year on average. It is not always life-threatening, but more than 12,000 die from it each year. If it is caught early and diagnosed, the more likely it is to be cured. Around 490,000 men are living with and after prostate cancer. For further information or to donate, visit theofficial charity website here

Furniture Village has been awarded a top 5 place in the ‘UK’s Best Large Companies to Work For’ category. Britain’s largest independent furniture retailer, Furniture Village, is proud to announce a total of three award wins at The Best Companies Awards 2023, including #4 in the ‘UK’s Best Large Companies to Work For.’ The ceremony was a black-tie event held in Battersea, London, on 2nd November 2023. Furniture Village also won the ‘Best Companies Special Award’ as the ‘Best Improver 2023’ and #1 in the ‘South West’s Best Company to Work For’ category. Last month, the family business received a 3-star accreditation in the Best Companies survey, a rating which reflects ‘world class’ levels of workplace engagement. When surveyed, 91% of Furniture Village employees agreed with the statement, ‘I love working for this organisation’ and 93% of those surveyed agreed with the statement ‘I am inspired by the people leading this organisation.’ Furniture Village first entered the Best Companies Survey in 2021, achieving a 1-star accreditation, which recognised Furniture Village as a ‘very good’ place to work. The company has continued to strive to improve this which led to the retailer achieving a 2-star accreditation in 2022, which recognised it as an ‘outstanding’ place to work. Committed to creating the best workplace for staff, Furniture Village continues to provide the best in-industry training and development programmes, as well as a family partnership profitsharing scheme. This resulted in the business achieving a 3-star ‘world class’ accreditation in 2023. Charlie Harrison, Managing Director of Furniture Village says, “We are delighted that Furniture Village has won three awards at the Best Companies Awards 2023 and has achieved the 3-star ‘world-class’ Best Companies accreditation. We were especially pleased to be recognised as one of the UK’s best large companies to work for. A combination of our unique people culture and ethos is what makes us all proud to be a part of Furniture Village’s ‘World Class Family Business.'" He added, “We cannot thank our staff members enough for their continued dedication to the business. We look forward to the future as we continue to learn, grow and achieve together.” ‘The Best Companies to Work For Lists’ have been measuring, improving and recognising great workplace engagement since 2001.

One of the oldest and most historic horse shows in the world has a new sponsor – with the world’s oldest equine insurer, Agria, taking the title sponsorship of both the Royal International Horse Show and the Nations Cup of Great Britain. Agria, the company behind the UK’s only lifetime equine insurance policies, joined Hickstead’s stable of sponsors in 2023, taking naming rights on several major international showjumping classes as well as being the sponsor of Ring Five. This new deal marks a significant increase in their support of the All England Jumping Course, with the company now becoming the overall sponsor of Hickstead’s July event as well as its feature competition. The Agria Royal International Horse Show will run from the 23-28 July 2024, with the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain taking place on Friday 26 July. This year will see the 50th running of this historic competition at Hickstead, where British riders will compete as a team against other leading showjumping nations for a prize fund of €200,000, supported partly by Agria’s sponsorship. As well as top class international classes, this show includes championship showing, national showjumping, scurry driving, and arena eventing. “We are enormously grateful to Agria for increasing their support of Hickstead,” said Hickstead Director Lizzie Bunn. “Their contribution towards safeguarding the future of equestrian sport in this country cannot be underestimated. It is important for us to partner with sponsors who share our values particularly in respect of horse welfare in top class sport.” Agria UK’s CEO Vicki Wentworth adds: “Agria is thrilled to become title sponsor of this historic show as we continue to spread the word about our game-changing lifetime insurance which has already made such an impact in Britain. Agria’s roots are in Sweden, a nation which is mad about showjumping, and it’s exciting to be so highly involved with the sport in Britain now too.” The Royal International Horse Show was first held in 1907, making it one of the oldest events of its kind in the world. It has been held at a number of venues over the years, before finding a permanent home at Hickstead in 1992. The Nations Cup of Great Britain first took place in 1929, and it has been held at Hickstead since 1971. Agria too has a long history, having been the first company in the world to insure an animal, a horse, in 1890, and is now the largest insurer in Europe. “The past few months have been a period of great change, but it also presents a fabulous new opportunity for us,” said Lizzie. “Agria coming on board as sponsor of the Nations Cup means we can now guarantee this hugely popular and iconic class will remain at Hickstead." "It gives us much more freedom and flexibility, allowing us to take the class in the direction we and our international riders want, following the example of other fantastic independent Nations Cups in venues such as Spruce Meadows and Aachen.” British Chef d’equipe Di Lampard, who led the British team to victory at this summer’s Hickstead Nations Cup, commented: "It's fantastic news to hear that Hickstead has secured a sponsor for the Nations Cup. It's so important for British Showjumping that we have our own Nations Cup competition in this country, as well as having a five-star show to allow some of the top up and coming horses and riders to have their chance to compete on the international stage. Hickstead has always appealed to the animal-loving British public, so Agria seems tailor-made to sponsor this event." Reigning Olympic champion Ben Maher, who was part of the winning Nations Cup team at Hickstead in 2023, added: “The Nations Cup is a very important competition, and growing up it was one of those classes that I always dreamt of being able to take part in." "There's a lot of history surrounding the Royal International and the Nations Cup as a whole, so for Agria to be able to step in and secure the future of this event is great news for Hickstead, the sport of showjumping, and for us as a country.” In addition to this new deal, Agria will continue to support the Derby Trial, the Hunter Championship and the Coloured Horse Ridden Championship at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting in June, as well as having the naming rights for Ring Five throughout the season. Tickets for the Agria Royal International Horse Show are available from www.hickstead.co.uk . Photo Credit: Elli Birch/Boots and Hooves Photography

Allied Vehicles, recent recipient of the Commitment to the Community Award at the Scottish Family Business Awards, have once again supported the North West Children and Families Team in Possilpark. For the past five years, Allied Vehicles staff and the company have pledged to support through the Glasgow Spirit of Christmas campaign. This year, all 279 outstanding Christmas gifts were delivered to the Possilpark based social work team, along with an additional six bikes and helmets, to support families in need this Christmas time. The Spirit of Christmas supports underprivileged children by donating Christmas gifts to those living in hardship and poverty. Glasgow's Spirit of Christmas launched during Christmas 2014 to provide gifts for children living locally all over Glasgow and surrounding regions. The request went out to staff who were keen to help local children, and the remaining pledges were fulfilled through the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust. Diana Weir of the North West Children and Families Team said: "What a marvellous response from Allied Vehicles, who have yet again provided gifts for so many families in the Possil area. Our staff had submitted requests for support via Glasgow Spirit of Christmas in the hope of finding a match. Allied exceeded expectations by meeting all 279 of those requests and also added six bicycles, complete with safety helmets! Needless to say the bikes have found new homes and staff have also been distributing all of the gifts to the families concerned. Many parents had been worrying about providing their children with a gift this year and are so grateful for the gifts your staff have donated. Thank you so much to Allied for their generous support.’’ Allied Vehicles owner Gerry Facenna added: “The Glasgow Spirit of Christmas campaign is one we all love getting involved in. To be able to support so many children local to our Possilpark headquarters is especially important to me." "To be able to support children and families at this tough time of year is such a lovely thing to be able to do.” Allied Vehicles wanted to thank Clyde Importers in Kinning Park for their support in sourcing the gifts.

John Good Group, is pleased to announce their sponsorship agreement with the Wheelchair Football Association for the 2023/24 WFA Cup. John Good Group is purpose-led group of businesses, which put people, planet and performance at the heart of its operations. This initial one-year deal presents an exciting opportunity to further expand the reach and influence of the national cup competition, building on its growing stature and widespread popularity. The Wheelchair Football Association (WFA) govern Powerchair Football, a unique sport that provides opportunities for people with a high level of impairment to access the game of football. It is the only active participation sport for people who use electric wheelchairs. For the 23/24 season, the WFA Cup will be named the John Good Group WFA Cup. Adam Walsh, CEO of John Good Group, says “We are absolutely delighted to be sponsors of the WFA Cup. As a sport, Powerchair Football epitomises inclusivity, competition and achievement, all of which are values that resonate with us strongly here at the John Good Group. We’re looking forward to seeing the tournament get underway and to experience the drama that comes with a sporting knockout competition like the WFA Cup.” "Our involvement in the WFA Cup will showcase our commitment to promoting inclusivity and excellence." Dean Williams, WFA Chairperson said “How incredible to have the John Good Group as sponsors and partners of our prestigious cup competition for this season. A wonderful company led by great people, with values that are very much aligned with ours at the WFA. So proud to have them side by side, and we welcome them with open arms to our Powerchair Football community." This is a significant year for the tournament as they welcome a record-matching 27 teams to the competition. John Good Group are thrilled to see the tournament get underway and experience one of the most inclusive sports in the world.

Scottish butchery business, We hae meat, has solidified its position as an industry leader picking up two awards at The Herald Scottish Family Business Awards 2023. Based in the heart of Ayrshire, We hae meat secured Green Family Business of the Year and Scottish Family Business of the Year (Small/Medium). Judges praised We hae meat’s commitment to sustainable practices and predicted a strong year ahead for the family run business. Through energy efficient measures including installing LEDs, a wastewater treatment system, transitioning to hybrid plug-in vans, implementing greener packaging and investing in a CHP plant and solar panels We hae meat successfully reduced their carbon emissions by 110%. This success follows We hae meat’s recent ascent to number 17 in the ranking of Scottish take-home food and drink brands. Earlier this year, the company was recognised as one of Scotland’s top-10 fastest-growing food brands by Kantar. Founded in 2007 by husband and wife Alex and Carlyn Paton, We hae meat produces high quality meat products made at its farm and factory located in Girvan. Carlyn Paton, Co-Founder We hae meat, said: “It is an honour to receive this recognition. These awards are a testament to the efforts of our dedicated team and serve as a fantastic acknowledgement of our commitment to excellence and sustainability initiatives, which are at the core of our business." “It especially means a lot to us to be recognised among the best of Scotland’s family run businesses. We are proud to work together to produce products families are proud to put on their table.” We hae meat’s product range is available in major grocery retailers across Scotland including Aldi, Morrisons, Tesco, Asda and Co-Op

Kevin Souster has been appointed as head of service at Hendy Group and joins the senior leadership team at the automotive group. Kevin joins Hendy after working at the Renault Group for the last 16 years having held various roles in both sales and aftersales, most recently as its head of network, aftersales. His whole career has been in motoring having started as an apprentice technician, spending time working as a technical training consultant for both the Volkswagen Group and Volvo prior to joining Renault. In his new role, Kevin will be working closely with Pete Walker, director service and body shop on implementing the group’s service strategy. “Kevin has an incredible breadth of experience working in aftersales and having known Kevin for a number of years in his time at Renault we knew that he was the right person to join us in this role,” said Pete. “Kevin will be working across the group, with the divisional performance manager and the senior leadership team as Hendy continues to expand.” As head of service Kevin will be focusing on the commercial results of the division together with the customer experience. “These are totally interlinked, and I’ll be working with the teams for the long-term benefit of both our customers and the business,” said Kevin. He said the group’s progressive thinking and ambitions for continued growth were a key attraction in making the move. “I’ve known the team at Hendy for some time and this was such a good opportunity for me to take on a new challenge and work with some incredible people,” added Kevin.

Preparing to pass the business to the next generation is the toughest challenge for a family business. Roberta Fenech shares her insight. Preparing to pass the business to the next generation is the toughest, most critical and long-term challenge for a family business. Generational transitions bring about change at an individual, family and business level. The natural progression of a family business is that ownership becomes more diverse with every generation. It is never too early to plan for succession as this issue needs to be addressed before it becomes personal and emotional, and can therefore be addressed comfortably and rationally. Families approach succession in different ways – the strategically oriented family develops new behaviour and anticipates change, whilst the adaptive family acts as soon as change is signalled, on the other hand the reactive family is forced to change by events that have occurred. Transition planning needs to take into account business issues as well as the multiple roles and complex relationships within families. The application of justice in generational transitions is more complex in family than in non-family businesses due to the family component. Lack of fairness in transitions is a source of conflict. Fairness improves performance while also increasing commitments and the satisfaction of family members. There are a number of positive contributors to generational transitions such as- good relationships between the current leaders and successors; a strong and involved board of directors; the wholehearted commitment of the current leaders and willingness for succession on the part of the next generation. The engagement and involvement of all stakeholders in discussions, the ability to manage conflicts, the way stakeholders learn and work together, and the willingness to unlearn current behaviour to embrace the new, also have positive effects on change. The work of the next generation both within and outside the family business is another important factor that contributes to effective succession. The communication between generations supports the clarity about the process of transition and increases the awareness amongst the current leaders in the family about the next generation’s perceptions and interests. As the family gets larger, the need for higher shared goals, the appreciation of the validity of different realities and communication all gain in importance. Professional help may be needed for deep-seated issues in the family. Setting up a task force to specifically address succession may be a way forward for family businesses who commit themselves to planning for succession. The succession planning system needs to be tailored to the family business culture, strategic plan, the skills required by leaders and the operating environment. Within the family system, the family council, family meetings and family constitution all contribute to laying out the ground rules that include succession and therefore minimise the threat of the family business being damaged by conflicts within it. Transitions are a long process that require policies stating when and how family members become eligible for employment as well as the level of required commitment that must be made. Without freedom to choose the successors are less likely to make a strong commitment. A personal development plan for successors is recommendable. This is a road map that describes the skills and attributes the successors already have, the skills and attributes they need to develop and the programme for acquiring such skills, together with a means for measuring progress. As the successors take the role of managers they must demonstrate an ability to assume responsibility as well as supervise others. Strategic planning in this stage of the transition process is a key developmental tool. When the senior generation retires, the task of transforming the entrepreneurial vision into a shared mission that can inspire others is in the hands of the successive generation. Family businesses reap the benefits of succession planning ensuring its continuity with minimal disruptions. The next generation have time to adjust whilst current leaders make retirement plans. The role of the senior generation is crucial. Top executives always remember how much work has gone into building an organisation, but they often forget that the same amount of effort is necessary to ensure organisational survival when it comes to pass the baton to a new group of leaders. Recommendations to the senior generation could be- to define one’s goal for the family business; recognise and openly praise the accomplishments of the next generation; encourage learning; increase responsibility of the next generation; make an early announcement and plan for one’s retirement. The latter is feared by a number of leaders who have a negative attitude towards retirement. Retirement is a taboo subject in some family businesses. On the other hand the next generation is encouraged to foster change whilst preserving the past; take responsibility for their own education and development; set aside parent-child relationships in relating to the senior generation; and feel empowered to build skills, credibility and cohesiveness.

JCB’s annual Christmas Toy Appeal is set to deliver a sackful of festive cheer to children in Staffordshire and Wrexham thanks to a record number of gift donations. The appeal got under way in November with the installation of 14 collections points at JCB plants in Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Wrexham. It was revealed that a total of 1,242 gifts had been donated as George Burton, aged five, and brother Henry, aged three, handed over the final two toys for the appeal to JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford in the reception at JCB’s World HQ at Rocester where all the presents are assembled. Now the gifts are being handed over to the NSPCC, the Stoke-on-Trent Hubb Foundation and Wrexham-based Yellow and Blue charity, for distribution to children at Christmas. As well as huge support from JCB employees, the GMB Union also donated £1,250 to buy toys, the JCB Academy raised £300 for the purchase of gifts and IT specialists Cap Gemini donated 40 toys. Lord Bamford said: “When it comes to supporting a good cause, JCB employees are second to none. Every single one of the gifts donated will make a difference to a child this Christmas and it is heart-warming to see that everyone has given so generously.” Adam Yates, Chief Operating Officer of the Hubb Foundation, said: “I can’t thank everyone at JCB enough for what they have done. I can say without any doubt that The JCB Christmas Toy Appeal really does make Christmas so much brighter for many hundreds of children in Staffordshire. I saw that for myself last year, which is why we are so grateful for every single gift which is donated.” Rachael Holdcroft, NSPCC Strategic Service Manager (Together for Childhood, Stoke), said: “It is so heart-warming to see more than 1,200 gifts which have been donated to the JCB Christmas Toy Appeal because I know just what an impact this will have on the children this Christmas." "I know that this year has been difficult for so many, so it really is incredible to know that even though times are tough, people still care about children and want to do their bit to ensure that all children receive a gift at Christmastime.” Employees at JCB’s plants in Rocester, Uttoxeter, Cheadle, Hixon, Foston and Wrexham all took part in the appeal, helping beat last year’s donation total of 1,000 gifts.