In the heart of Bolton, amidst its bustling streets and vibrant culture, lies a culinary gem cherished by locals and visitors alike: Carrs Pasties. Since 1938, Carrs has been synonymous with the epitome of traditional British comfort food, serving up delectable pasties that tantalise taste buds and warm the soul. Paul Andrews spoke to Joe Carr to find out more. Carrs Pasties has stood the test of time, rooted in a rich heritage dating back to when Grandma Nell made the first meat and potato pasties from a general store on Halliwell Road, a shop that still stands today and remains one of the retail outlets of the business. As Joe explains, “With six children to feed, Grandma made the pasties at home to feed the family and any spare were offered to friends and a brand was born. The shop was close to a number of light industrial mills; it wasn’t long before the workers were aware that the pasties were available, and a queue would form around the block to buy them. Uncle Bernard took on the role of baker and began to build the business that we know today – and when the time was right, invited the siblings to join and help build the business.” “Four of the six siblings, David, Veronica, Benard and my dad John worked together to build Carrs and set us on the journey that continues today,” continues Joe. Since then, the establishment has become a beloved institution, celebrated for its commitment to quality ingredients and time-honoured recipes passed down through generations. Today at Carrs, the pasty-making process is based as much as possible on Grandma Nell’s recipe. Keeping the ingredient list simple, making small batches and cooking from scratch every morning. Each pasty boasts a flaky, golden crust that gives way to a flavourful filling bursting with savoury delights. The production process is unique in that each pasty is filled with a hot filling straight from the pan before being blast chilled and frozen - which helps to lock in the flavour. From the classic cheese and onion to the indulgent steak pasty, Carrs offers a diverse array of fillings to suit every palate. But it's not just the pasties that keep patrons coming back for more; it's the sense of community and tradition that permeates every bite. Step inside Carrs HQ, and you're greeted with the comforting aroma of freshly baked pasties mingling with laughter and lively conversation. Here, locals gather to share stories, catch up on gossip, and indulge in a taste of nostalgia. This is a business steeped in community and doing business the right way. Family values are at the core and there is a long-standing, loyal workforce, many of the team having been with them for over 30 years, and a real sense of purpose, to continue to bake pasties that are filled with pride. “Our people are part of who we are,” continues Joe, “and help us deliver quality products each and every day. Our local workforce embodies everything we stand for, with Bolton front and centre, and our team are on the journey with us and help us continue to develop and grow too.” Beyond its charming ambiance and mouthwatering fare, Carrs Pasties remains deeply ingrained in the fabric of Bolton's history. As one of the town's oldest businesses, it has witnessed the ebb and flow of time, serving as a steadfast symbol of resilience and endurance. Running a business is not easy and to stand the test of time is testament to the passion, pride and determination of a family that has been totally committed to what they do and the community they serve, now owned and run by the third-generation siblings, Matt, Joe, and Liam. As Joe explains, “Dad simply asked us if we wanted to get involved and began the conversations around succession and made it relatively easy for us. As siblings, we have very different skills that are complimentary. We get on well and always manage to unanimously agree on the direction we want to follow." "Matt focusses on strategy, constantly bringing new ideas for growth to challenge us and help drive the growth agenda. Liam is the creative force and the real heart and soul of what we do, and I enjoy being in the detail, leading on managing the company with a focus on operations finance. We have created a path that really works for us, and it is based on alignment of values, purpose, and a plan for the future.” The future is promising too as they are currently investing in the development of the bakery to increase capacity and maximise productivity and operational efficiency. As Joe continues, “We have a fantastic range of products, and our brand is well known in and around Bolton and we are now looking to build that further afield." "The investment in the bakery will certainly help with the plans and we are considering lots of ways to grow throughout the UK, and building on the part of the business that delivers our pasties to the door with next day delivery anywhere in the UK.” The essence of ‘delivering a feeling of warmth, community and pride’ is not new to Carrs. As Joe explains, “We launched the service after discussions and the result of a lady from South Wales who regularly paid for a taxi to Bolton to buy as many pasties as she could fit in the boot before returning home. We knew that there was demand and so launched the delivery service, something that is continuing to grow.” Family values permeate the business and are embedded into the culture, something that takes time, but the brothers have worked hard to determine them, and they truly reflect the essence and authenticity of what Carrs are all about. “We took the creation of the values really seriously and engaged fully with the staff in their creation and they now shape us, the way we work and all that we do,” continues Joe. The values at the heart of Carrs are: We go above and beyond and will always do the right thing. We have warmth for, and pride in our communities. We want everyone to feel equal and they belong here. We are driven, dedicated to our roles and fearless. We will grow together as a business and strive for improvement in everything we do. Community and a sense of place is deeply embedded into the culture of Carrs, something that the business continues as a matter of course, but part of the legacy of the second generations leaders Bernard, David, Veronica, and John - father of Matt, Joe, and Liam. Joe told me that “Dad was an incredible individual who – with his siblings - went above and beyond to support the people of Bolton, always doing a good deed or helping someone out. He was driven by a desire to help others." "When he passed away, we had no option but to have his funeral at the large Parish Church in the centre of Bolton which was overflowing with people paying their respects." "The outpouring of support meant so much to us and was a reflection of who Dad was as a man – the vicar told us the church had rarely seen such engagement before and was reminiscent of the funerals of the England footballer Nat Lofthouse and TV personality Fred Dibnah.” The Carrs legacy continues apace: you only have to stand outside one of their four stores to see the demand for their products, from all corners of the community. Legacy and heritage are important to this business that produces around 18,000 pasties a day, but they are also aware of the need to focus on the future. “For us, the future is important, and we want to continue to deliver quality pasties to a growing customer base. For us it’s simple, all we want to do is continue to provide delicious, freshly baked products and exceptional customer service, every day,” concludes Joe. In an ever-changing world, Carrs Pasties stands as a beacon of tradition, reminding us of the simple pleasures found in good food and good company and yet also is facing the future with confidence, pursuing a national strategy. So, whether you're a seasoned local or a curious traveller passing through, a visit to Carrs Pasties is more than just a culinary experience—it's a celebration of heritage, and a taste of Bolton's enduring spirit. Carrs Pasties are on an exciting journey, and it will be fascinating to watch them continue to evolve. Visit their website here to find out more.

Bagnalls is the latest family business signing up to the Sustainable Charter and pledging their commitment to making a different to the planet. Family businesses intrinsically do, or want to do the right thing, acting as agents of change and taking responsibility for their actions. They care and with a shared purpose take long-term decisions and act as stewards for next generations. They want to do the right thing, creating sustainable businesses and recognise the urgency associated with the need to care for the world in which they live too. As Paul Andrews, Founder of Sustainabler and global champion of family businesses explains: “We are delighted to welcome Bagnalls to Sustainabler. As a responsible family business they are taking plenty of steps on their sustainability journey and we are delighted that they have signed up to our sustainability pledge.” “Sustainabler has been created with a simple purpose in mind, to provide a comprehensive resource centre that will enable family businesses of all sizes to source information, knowledge and practical examples of sustainability in practice and to help everyone make sustainability manageable, measurable and meaningful and we really do welcome the support and commitment that Bagnalls have made in this regard.” Each family business that signs up to the charter agrees to further their sustainability journey by committing: To continuing on their journey to become a net zero business To reduce their energy consumption To minimise waste within their organisation To encourage the reduction of consumption of materials and reuse and recycling of as many resources as possible To reduce water consumption To consider the use of renewable energy resources To measure and reduce their overall impact on the environment To encourage and support their people to become better ‘citizens of the planet’ To support the broader communities in which they operate To be active participants in the sustainabler community as agents of change To share and report back on their endeavours and the impact that these have on their business To continue to build an approach to sustainability to look at their underlying purpose in terms of profit, people and planet The Sustainabler Charter sets to encourage more family businesses to proactively communicate and share their activities and their impact with the wider community, amplifying the impact of family firms as agents of change and sharing resources and ideas that will help other family businesses too. As Paul continues, “We created Sustainabler in response to being asked for resources and insights to help family businesses on their journey and have been delighted with the response to date. The community continues to build and it is great to see the family business mark of sustainability being embraced by great family businesses across the UK.” “Bagnalls is a long standing, multi-generational family business that have been delivering expert commercial and industrial painting and decorating projects across the UK since 1875 and are a responsible business, putting people and the planet at the heart of what they do and we are delighted to welcome them to our Sustainabler community.” Ben Featherstone, Sustainability Co-Ordinator at Bagnalls adds: "We're really excited to be a part of Sustainabler. Bagnalls is committed to using green and sustainable practices wherever possible and we are always looking for new, innovative ways to ensure we're protecting our planet." "Our painters and decorators are already using environmentally friendly Graphenstone paint across various projects, which works to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere as it dries." "We are also proud members of The Painting and Decorating Association's Paint Green scheme, which helps us recycle and cut down on waste." "We can't wait to further our green efforts with Sustainabler and help us protect our planet for the next generation of family businesses." Family businesses signing up to Sustainabler become part of a community that has sustainability matters at the core, are able to make full use of the badge on collateral and gain invitations to events that are shaped around the ongoing sustainability agenda. Find out more about Sustainabler at www.sustainabler.uk

A family-owned electrician business in Lanarkshire has been modernised after the new owners accessed specialist advice from Business Gateway. T.R. Aitchison is an electrical contractor with over 60 years of experience in the electrical industry. They specialise in reactive and planned electrical maintenance work and electrical testing for both domestic and commercial clients. Husband and wife Frank and Heather Rooney took over ownership of T.R. Aitchison in July 2023 after Frank had been employed by them for 22 years. The business includes an apprentice electrician, Ewan, who has been with them for over three years. Ewan reached the semi-finals of the Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2024, which had over 1,800 entrants. Dog Zeus is their mascot in the window as an unofficial team member and is well-known in the community. The team expanded in April with a new hire of an electrician to meet demand. The business was outdated from the showroom to the technology they used, and even with some services. For this reason, Frank and Heather contacted Business Gateway for support in modernising the business. Through Business Gateway, they met adviser Mark Wright, who provided 1:1 guidance and tailored business support, as well as introducing them to other experts who could help them. Mark also signposted them to information regarding employment law and apprentice support. As a result of Mark introducing T.R. Aitchison to experts, Frank and Heather received two days of marketing consultancy from an expert, and five days of specialist procurement consultancy. The procurement consultancy was instrumental in helping the business to secure contracts with key contacts in the housing maintenance sector. Thanks to the procurement consultancy, T.R. Aitchison has been able to create a basic tender library to use for public sector work. This has helped them secure a recent key contract. The marketing consultancy support allowed for a website review and update, with the appearance and functionality creating a better user experience to improve visibility and reputation. SEO was improved as a result also. A social media review gave T.R. Aitchison recommendations on ways to improve their presence on social media as well as the quality of their output. Heather Rooney, Operations Manager at T.R. Aitchison said: “When Frank and I took over running T.R. Aitchison, we knew we needed support to get the business into a better place to future-proof it. The support we’ve had from Business Gateway has been invaluable and has got us into a great place in a relatively short space of time. The business wouldn’t have survived without major updates, which is where Business Gateway came in." “We are so grateful for Mark’s help and guidance and can’t thank the Business Gateway team enough for all the support they have given us.” Mark Wright, Business Gateway adviser said: “When Frank and Heather came to Business Gateway for support, we were able to help them modernise the business and bring it into the 21st century. It’s great to see how much the team has been able to help them since July and we look forward to continuing to see them grow.”

Croots Farm Shop products went down a storm at the Houses of Parliament when they were showcased at the bi-annual Derbyshire Food and Drinks Fair ’A Taste of Derbyshire’ hosted by Derbyshire MPs. Croots took along some of its award-winning homemade products including pork pie, sausage roll, lemon drizzle cake, and Bakewell tart, plus a number of beers specially brewed for Croots. The farm shop sent a team to the event, which was held in the Jubilee Room at the Palace of Westminster, after being invited to attend by Pauline Latham, Conservative MP for Mid-Derbyshire. They also met Conservative MP for Derbyshire Dales, Sarah Dines, whose constituency borders Croots. Kay Croot, who owns and runs the farm shop at Farnah House Farm, in Wirksworth Road, near Duffield, said: “The Taste of Derbyshire event at the Houses of Parliament was a great opportunity for us to showcase some of our award-winning products to MPs." “It was also an excellent experience to visit such an historic and important place. We had super feedback and, as keen ambassadors of Derbyshire and the food produced in the county, we were proud to have had the chance to be part of the fair.” Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords visited the event, including Minister of State for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business Kevin Hollinrake, who talked to Kay about her experience of running a small business. “It was a good opportunity to share with him the challenges facing small businesses, such as huge energy bills, which have risen so much in recent times,” added Kay. Croots was launched in 2008 on the farm run by Kay’s parents and is one of Derbyshire’s most popular farm shops, with a stack of awards under its belt both for the shop and its homemade products. Croots Farm Shop specialises in selling food and drink made by local producers in Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, and other nearby counties. It features products from more than 40 suppliers within a 50-mile radius – supporting many other family run businesses - and also sells a wide and expanding range of home-produced items made by the Croots team in-house. The store offers an extensive selection of food, drink, meat, cheeses and deli items, along with gift ideas, wines and spirits. Croots Farm Shop is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays. The café is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm and 10am to 3pm on Sundays.

Luxury Cotswolds hotel Tewkesbury Park has secured a £500,000 investment from Lombard for upgrading its plant room to include combined heat and power (CHP) in a move which the resort estimates will save it £100,000 per year in energy costs. This highly efficient process captures the heat created by electricity generation to meet its water and space heating requirements. Tewkesbury Park is a family-owned, luxury hotel resort and 18-hole golf course situated on the site of the 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury. The hotel hosts premium stays, golf and tennis trips, weddings and conferences, and also has an onsite spa and fitness centre. The business, which employs 134 people, is run by Linda McIntosh, with her son Chris McIntosh and daughter Claire White. They estimate that the use of combined heat and power will save 200 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide per year. Chris McIntosh, Managing Director at Tewkesbury Park Limited, said: “We are passionate about making our hotel more sustainable and setting a positive example that others in the hotel industry can follow. This investment from Lombard has allowed us to take a big step forward in this regard." “Due to space and listed building constraints, we were unable to install solar panels – but Lombard helped us find a solution that will allow us reduce our emissions and make huge costs savings, while increasing our security of supply with a system powered by LPG that can run even if the grid does not.” Jason Holness, Senior Relationship Manager at Lombard, said: “It was fantastic to work with the McIntosh family on this deal and help them to take a big step towards their sustainability goals, with the added benefit of saving them a lot of money in the long run." "One of our business aims is to provide financing options that encourage and empower businesses to improve their sustainability, and the Tewkesbury Park team embodies exactly what we’re trying to achieve.” The family discovered the neglected hotel in 2014 and, seeing its potential, purchased and refurbished it over a four-year period, adding a new events venue and bedrooms in the main house. For further assistance with their climate action plan, Tewkesbury Park has registered with NatWest’s Carbon Planner, a free tool providing businesses with tailored solutions to reduce their operational emissions. Commercial Director Claire is putting her luxury hotel experience to good use on new ITV game show The Fortune Hotel. Claire and husband Dan are competing for a £250,000 cash prize.

Denholm Logistics Group recently marked a leadership milestone, with the appointment of Alan Platt as Managing Director, following the retirement of his predecessor, Niall Denholm. Denholm Logistics Group is a division of family-owned diversified business, the Denholm Group. Its subsidiaries are well-established in the logistics and port services sectors, providing freight forwarding, warehousing and transportation solutions, the short-sea shipping of timber products, and the port agency of a range of vessels in the UK and the island of Ireland. Niall Denholm served 12 successful years at the helm of Denholm Logistics Group, leading the division through several acquisitions and major capital projects, while always placing employees and their safety at the heart of his management philosophy. Alan Platt joined Denholm as part of the acquisition of Good Logistics in August 2021, where he led the business. As Divisional Managing Director of Denholm Good Logistics, he spearheaded the integration of two separate businesses – Good Logistics and Denholm Global Logistics – into one combined organisation. Ben MacLehose, CEO of parent company J. & J. Denholm, said, “As Managing Director of Denholm Logistics Group, Niall Denholm has grown and developed the division tremendously. He has also been an ardent supporter of enabling employees to progress their careers, from entry-level roles to company directors. I wish Niall a happy and productive retirement.” Ben continues, “I look forward to working with Alan in his new role as Managing Director. I have no doubt that Denholm Logistics Group will continue to flourish with Alan at its helm. As a seasoned leader in logistics, Alan has a successful track record of seeking growth opportunities for the businesses he leads and the people within them.” Niall Denholm retired as Managing Director of Denholm Logistics Group on 3rd May 2024. Alan Platt was appointed Denholm Logistics Group Managing Director on 4th May 2024.

Popular Derbyshire farm shop Croots is once again taking part in Open Farm Sunday, giving visitors the chance to find out more about life on the farm. Being held on Sunday 9th June between 11am and 3.30pm and with free admission, it’s just one of a string of events that have been organised at the farm shop near Duffield over the next few months. The list includes Paws in the Paddock on 14th July, a fun dog event featuring classes, activities and stalls. A percentage of the profits will be donated to Angels Small Paws Dog Rescue. It also features a jewellery and watch valuation day by Hansons Auctioneers and Valuers (Derby) held 2pm-4pm on Wednesday 22nd May and a Pork Butchery Evening running 6pm-8pm on Thursday 23rd May. Kay Croot, who runs Croots Farm Shop in Wirksworth Road, said: “We have taken part in Open Farm Sunday for many years now and are looking forward to once again welcoming visitors to Farnah House Farm." “It’s a great day out for all the family and will include blacksmithing and sheep shearing displays, a self-guided farm walk and trail, meet the farmer, a static farm machinery display, Shire horse dray rides, a small animal petting area, competitions and more." “Open Farm Sunday is a national event managed by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming), which began in 2006, and is a celebration of British farming. It gives visitors the chance to learn more about farming and the countryside, and farmers the chance to talk about British food and farming." “There’s lots of information on our website about all our events this spring and summer, which hopefully have something of interest to all. The events that we have held so far have been a great success, and our bushcraft sessions run by Robin of Shire Bushcraft have been so popular that they completely sold out.” Information about all events are on the Croots visit the website.

Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, has completed the installation of fall protection systems on the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster- brand new Hyperia! Due to open on Friday 24 May, Hyperia is the newest ride at Thorpe Park in Surrey. Built by Mack Rides, the new attraction stands at an intimidating 72m (236ft) and will reach speeds of over 80mph. The safety systems installed by working at height specialists from Arco Professional Safety Services provide a continuous safe connection on the rollercoaster, allowing maintenance crews to carry out routine and reactive tasks with confidence. Arco installed Two MSA Latchways BridgeLatch fall arrest and restraint systems along the entire 111m (364ft) incline and crest of the rollercoaster, allowing workers to access the lift portion of the rollercoaster safely. They also fixed MSA Latchways Mansafe fall arrest systems along the station return brake platform and the station exit maintenance platform. Matthew Glass, fall protection manager at Arco Professional Safety Services, said: “We were thrilled to be a part of this project for the Hyperia coaster, the latest attraction at one of the UK’s top theme parks." “This installation is the latest in a longstanding partnership with Merlin Entertainments that has allowed Arco, the Experts in Safety, to demonstrate our expertise in working at height safety and love of (safe) thrills." “I know I speak on behalf of the whole team when I say we are looking forward to getting to experience the UK’s new tallest and fastest ride when it opens.” Dan Warwick, health & safety director at Thorpe Park, said: “Arco have been an instrumental part of the team, assisting us with the installation of working at height lines - a vital element of the Hyperia ride construction." “With the ride standing at an epic 236ft tall, these lines will be used to safely enable our engineering team to get up and down the incredible lift hill for all maintenance and daily pre-opening checks." “The lines will also be used by our staff and guests in the event of an evacuation being required on the ride. As part of this, the Arco team worked closely with us to ensure we have well-planned and expertly curated evacuation plans, which form a critical part of the overall project.” Arco Professional Safety Services provide consultancy, training, services and equipment to manage the most complex and high-risk, high hazard scenarios, specialising in working at height, confined spaces and respiratory management. Find out more at here.

The Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust is proud to announce successful funding for two local community dance initiatives, Legacy Dance Company and Partick Dancing Group. Legacy Dance Company, co-founded by Chloe Elliot and Hannah Johnstone, has been awarded £1,000 towards acquiring essential equipment for their new studio premises. This grant will support the purchase of mirrors and dance flooring, crucial for the proper functioning of their new location. The company, which provides dance education and a supportive community space for children, including those with autism and ADHD, has operated for two years. They serve the children of Ruchill and Lambhill and now find themselves outgrowing their original premises. Chloe Elliot expressed her delight at the donation, saying, "We would like to thank everyone involved at Allied Vehicles for giving us the opportunity to make our dreams come true!" “The funds awarded will allow us to purchase the proper materials needed to open our very own studio, which will give our students a new and bigger place to call their second home." " We are excited to give back to a community that we have lived in all our lives, and we can’t wait to offer more to the community by having this opportunity." “We can’t express enough how grateful we are that Allied Vehicles have appreciated the work that we are doing. From everyone involved at Legacy Dance Company, thank you." Partick Dancing Group, predominantly consisting of senior women, received £300 towards transport costs for an upcoming group trip. The group is about more than just cutting a rug on the dancefloor. It helps reduce social isolation among its members, many of whom live alone and rely on the group for much-needed social interaction. Cathie Connelly of Partick Dancing Group thanked the Trust for their help, "We are delighted to receive this award from Allied Vehicles,” she said, “We will use it to go on a trip in July when our dance sessions are off, which will allow us to keep in touch with each other over the summer break. Thank you so much!" David Facenna, Corporate Culture Director at Allied Vehicles Group, shared his thoughts on the importance of these groups, "At Allied Vehicles, we are passionate local community. We are happy to support both Legacy Dance Company and Partick Dancing Group. These groups do fantastic work in promoting activity and reducing isolation across generations. We’re happy we can help them extend their valuable services."

A multipurpose watersports centre on the shores of Windermere is celebrating the launch of its 40th summer season. The Watersports Centre at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa is marking its ‘ruby’ anniversary this year. Having started life back in 1984 as a small service from the jetty offering boat hire for scenic trips on Windermere, it has become a modern hive of outdoor sports activity. When officially opened by the minister for sport in the mid-1980s, Only You by The Flying Pickets was No.1 in the pop charts and Steve Jobs was about to launch the Macintosh personal computer in the US. Recent years have seen the addition of popular water-based pastimes such as paddle boarding, wake surfing and knee boarding. But visitors can still enjoy a step back in time by hiring a traditional rowing boat or fulfilling their Swallows and Amazons ambitions in a sailing dinghy. General manager of Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa Mark Needham: “The longevity, growth and popularity of our watersports facilities here are testament to the team’s commitment to providing our guests with a great deal of fun and laughter." “We’re very lucky in that not many Lake District venues benefit from their own private jetty and watersports facilities for guests to enjoy on the shoreline. Set against the backdrop of the Lakeland fells, it’s just a wonderful location for getting out on the water.” Sports activities on the water have always been an integral part of family life at English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues. In the 1950s, Norman Buckley, the great, great uncle of current managing director Ben Berry, broke four world water speed records on Windermere in his own designed and built boats. The Watersports Centre at Low Wood Bay offers a broad range of watersports, boat and equipment hire and an experienced team of instructors for all ages and abilities. Whilst canoes and kayaks give guests a feeling of freedom to explore, it’s stand-up paddle boarding which has become one of the most popular modern activities in recent years. The Watersports Centre is also a recognised training centre with the Royal Yachting Association. For further information, visit here.

John Broons is a globally awarded family business expert. One of only three people in Australia to hold the coveted title of Fellow of Family Firm Institute (Boston, USA), John has dedicated his working career to answering the question: how do I guide and support families in business to a place where they’re thriving? Passing the torch from one generation to the next in a family business is a time of reflection and transition, filled with both excitement and trepidation. As the older generation, looking to hand over the reins, you have the opportunity to shape the future of your family’s legacy. Let’s explore some considerations, both from a business and personal perspective, as you embark on this important transition. Identify a capable successor From a business standpoint, it’s crucial to ensure a smooth handover that maintains the stability and growth of the company. Start by identifying a capable successor within the family. This person should not only possess the necessary skills and passion but also embody the shared values that have made your business what it is today. Keep in mind that expertise can be developed, but alignment with the family’s vision is something that runs deeper. Getting the right advice is critical Alongside finding the right successor, it’s imperative to establish a clear and comprehensive succession plan. This plan should encompass various aspects, including legal and financial considerations, leadership roles, and communication strategies. Take the time to consult with professionals who specialise in family business succession, as they can guide you through the intricacies of estate planning, tax implications, and ownership transitions. Embracing emotions and personal connections Now, let’s consider the personal side of things. As you pass on the baton, it’s natural to experience a mix of emotions. Pride in the accomplishments of your family business, joy in seeing it flourish under new leadership, and perhaps even a twinge of nostalgia for the days when you were at the helm. Embrace these emotions and use them as fuel to maintain a strong connection with both the business and your family. Consider mentorship and advisory roles Remember, the transition doesn’t mean you have to completely sever ties with the business. Consider taking on a mentorship role or becoming an advisor to the new leadership team. Your experience and wisdom are invaluable assets that can continue to contribute to the success of the business. Prioritise your own well-being At the same time, it’s essential to prioritise your own well-being during this transition. Explore new passions, spend quality time with loved ones, and create a fulfilling life beyond the business. Reflect on your achievements and celebrate the legacy that you’ve built. After all, being part of a family business is a source of great pride and joy. So, as you embark on the journey of handing over the family business, keep these considerations in mind. Be proactive in setting up a strong succession plan, find a successor who embodies the family’s values, and nurture a positive connection with both the business and your personal life. Embrace the next chapter of your life while cherishing the memories and lessons of the past. You’ve built something truly special, and now it’s time to ensure its enduring success for the generations to come. JOHN BROONS John Broons is a globally awarded family business expert. One of only three people in Australia to hold the coveted title of Fellow of Family Firm Institute (Boston, USA), John has dedicated his working career to answering the question: how do I guide and support families in business to a place where they’re thriving?

Arco has pledged to donate a share of profits from its hard hat sales to the Mental Health Foundation, as part of a new partnership to “protect heads inside and out”. From next month, the UK's leading safety experts will donate 10% of all profits from sales of own-brand hard hats to the UK’s leading charity for mental health. Arco announced the partnership today as part of Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May), underlining the company’s commitment to keeping people safe at work, and its preventative approach to physical and mental well-being. Guy Bruce, chief executive of Arco, said: “Everything we do is focused on protecting people. We are Experts in Safety, and alongside the physical aspects of safety, we are increasingly aware of how important mental wellbeing is to keeping people safe." “That is why I am delighted to embark on this partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, supporting their focus on protecting people’s mental wellbeing. Prevention is at the heart of everything we do at Arco, and this completely aligns with the Mental Health Foundation’s approach." “Our collective fundraising activities will help the Mental Health Foundation work to prevent mental wellbeing problems and support people with understanding and achieving better mental health." Arco chief executive Guy Bruce and chief people officer Di Hopper (Pictures: Arco: Experts in Safety) Arco will be organising activities and events throughout the year to further support the Mental Health Foundation’s efforts to educate and build people’s mental resilience. The company is encouraging its staff to take part in the charity’s challenge events, with Guy and his executive team leading the way by signing up for a 25km fundraising hike in the Peak District. Mark Rowland, CEO of Mental Health Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be launching this partnership with Arco. The Mental Health Foundation are the leaders in good mental health in the UK, and Arco’s support will help our work with some of the most vulnerable communities all over the country.” The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”. Throughout the week, Arco will be providing its staff with daily updates and resources to support their personal and collective mental health, as well as holding a company-wide step challenge.