Family firms across the region are being asked to join a campaign to celebrate all that is great about the family business sector by supporting Yorkshire Family Business Day 2020, on 10th February 2020.
Family businesses the length and breadth of the county can get involved by sharing their pride and demonstrating their family ownership via a social media campaign using the hashtag #YorkshireFamilyBizDay and posting banners/pictures on social media stating their pride in being one of the family firms in Yorkshire today.
Paul Andrews, Founder of Family Business United, (FBU) who launched the campaign to give family firms the support and recognition they deserve, said, “There are over 5 million family firms across the UK and not only do they employ significant numbers of people, generate significant tax revenues and support local communities, they are the backbone of the UK economy, and with over 370,000 in the region they make a massive contribution to the Yorkshire economy too. All too often the endeavours of the family business sector are dismissed in favour of their non-family counterparts and the aim of Yorkshire Family Business Day is to champion the sector, put family firms on the map and help to dispel the myths surrounding the family business sector.”
Yorkshire is blessed with such a diverse family business sector ranging from some of the largest employers in the region such as well known brands Bettys, William Jackson, Bagnalls, Shepherd Group, Arco and Harrison Spinks to others including Neill & Brown, Potter Group, Keelham Farm, Slingsby Gin and Lottie Shaws,all of which play their part in putting Yorkshire on the map.
Here at Potter Space we are proud to be a family firm for over 50 years. From our humble beginnings transporting grain and fertiliser across local routes to becoming a full-service logistics company with a string of awards under our belt.
Today Potter Space operates five business parks from its head office in Ripon, located in Selby, Ely, Droitwich and Knowsley, comprising more than 250 acres and in excess of 1.6m square feet of commercial space, and has committed to investing £25m in the business over five years.
Managing director Matthew Lamb said: “Being a family firm is special and we are proud of our journey to date. We are delighted to join a day that celebrates organisations like ours that have family values at the heart and where doing business the right way counts.”
He continues: “Integrity, relationships, openness and honesty, and the desire to succeed has always been central to our philosophy and these values are very much alive today within Potter Space, Home for Business.”
Paul Andrews continues, “We have created a day for all Yorkshire family firms to be proud of and by providing them with the resources needed to get involved are looking forward to a day of celebration that will undoubtedly put family firms on the map. 2019 saw a phenomenal amount of pride being demonstrated by family firms across the county with a great volume of social media traffic and the plan is to make 2020 an even bigger celebration.”
As Paul concludes, “Family firms are the backbone of the Yorkshire economy and not only do they provide employment to thousands of people but they also generate significant revenues These firms are continually investing in the future of their businesses and supporting communities throughout the county. Family businesses in Yorkshire deserve all the support and recognition they get and we are proud to be championing this initiative to put them on the map.”
To find out more about Yorkshire Family Business Day or to register for either of the events, please contact katy@familybusinessunited.co.uk
