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

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

We are delighted to announce that Samantha Bradford of Simplicity Financial Planning Ltd has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Inspirational Leader Samantha has pursued a life-long career in financial planning, constantly investing in her own personal development and committed to learning. After a very successful corporate career with Barclays Wealth, Samantha founded Simplicity Financial Planning in order to help more people reduce their overwhelm by offering financial empowerment by helping them to invest in their future whilst gaining tax relief. "She fully invests in the business and takes the lead ensuring that they help to educate others so that they are financially aware and confident in making their own financial decisions. The business has a strong ethos and family business values are really at the heart of the support and advice they offer and it has all been driven and created by Samantha who leads from the front and is well deserving of her place in the Family Business Top 100."

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

We are delighted to announce that Niki Jenman of New Forest Ice Cream has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Inspirational Leader Next Generation Member Family Business Steward Niki and her sister Christina embody what a family business is about, so much so, that anybody working with or for New Forest Ice cream are very quickly viewed as part of the New Forest Family. They have taken over the reigns of the business from their parents and have created a company that is not just respected for its ice cream, but the way it does business full stop. From providing a ‘can do’ attitude and service led business philosophy, Christina and Niki have developed a way to lead and develop a team and a business whilst ensuring that it is a fun company with which to be involved. This has helped to ensure they retain staff, retain customers, retain suppliers, all whilst growing the business that is New Forest Ice Cream. "Niki is well deserving of her place in the Family Business Top 100."

We are delighted to announce that Christina Veal of New Forest Ice Cream has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Inspirational Leader Next Generation Member Family Business Steward Christina and her sister Niki embody what a family business is about, so much so, that anybody working with or for New Forest Ice cream are very quickly viewed as part of the New Forest Family. They have taken over the reigns of the business from their parents and have created a company that is not just respected for its ice cream, but the way it does business full stop. From providing a ‘can do’ attitude and service led business philosophy, Christina and Niki have developed a way to lead and develop a team and a business whilst ensuring that it is a fun company with which to be involved. This has helped to ensure they retain staff, retain customers, retain suppliers, all whilst growing the business that is New Forest Ice Cream. "Christina is well deserving of her place in the Family Business Top 100."

We are delighted to announce that Andrew Donaldson of the Donaldson Group has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Inspirational Leader Champion of Change & Innovation Next Generation Multi-Generational Family Business Leader Andrew Donaldson is a 6th generation Donaldson family member to lead the Donaldson Group. He has worked for the Group since 2010 in a variety of roles, before being appointed as CEO in 2020. Andrew deserves inclusion in the Family Business Top 100 as since becoming CEO, he has transformed the leadership team; introducing new talent at the top, bringing new ideas on People Management, Finance, Information and digital innovation, to help shape the group’s future; while ensuring the core businesses are maintaining peak performance. He has spearheaded the birth of two new brands; Plane & Simple (A DIY marketplace) and Buzz Home Office (home office furniture business); along with the acquisitions of Rowan Manufacturing, Smith & Frater, Kitchens international and Stonecare, expanding the group portfolio to 10 businesses. Transitioning to CEO with minimal friction internally, Andrew has also recently completed an ambitious and promising 5-year group strategy and is driving new initiatives to help further development of the group. "He is a born leader with an inclusive approach that is clearly delivering results and fully deserves his place in the Family Business Top 100."

We are delighted to announce that Sanjeev Patel of PPP Capital has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business. Recognition in respect of: Inspirational Leader Sustainable Development Ambassador Next Generation Member Champion of Change & Innovation Successful family businesses share many characteristics. The CNG Family of Companies, of which PPP Capital is a part, and which has been around for 50 years is no exception. It is now firmly in the second generation and under Sanjeev’s leadership. He appreciates the importance of hard work, seizing an opportunity and being determined to turn a vision into a reality. To drive the company, he has assessed the skills that the family have and then augmented them with external expertise at board level. This has provided governance, critical thinking and thought leadership. He is clearly laying the foundations for the long term. Under Sanjeev’s stewardship, he has preserved the family heritage and adapted the business for the future, making it more sustainable in the process. Care for employees, customers and indeed the local community hasn’t been forgotten either. "All of this has been delivered with profit growth. As such, Sanjeev’s inclusion in the Family Business Top 100 is warranted."

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

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

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

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