The family business community came together once more in London in the delightful surrounds of the beautiful medicine garden in the grounds of the Royal College of Physicians to celebrate the contribution that family firms make to the national economy and to crown the winners of the Family Business of the Year Awards 2024.
What a night and what a fabulous celebration of the contribution of family businesses to the national economy. Thank you to everyone involved, the judges, the sponsors and above all the business that entered, our fabulous finalists and of course congratulations to the winners.
Events like these are special and the evening had a palpable mix of excitement, anticipation and community – the essence of being part of a bigger community, the collective sense of pride in being a family business and recognition for some families of their endeavours over numerous generations. It was a great night and the fact that the sun shone as the day drew to a close helped to create a fantastic atmosphere too.
Family businesses are the engine room of the UK economy and with 5 million family firms employing around 12 million people in all corners of the country they make a massive impact each and every day. Incomes are generated, jobs provided and wealth created but as one of the family members said to me last night, “That is just the tip of the iceberg. Family businesses care and want to be seen as doing the right thing, doing business the right way. It has been a pleasure to be involved with these awards. The atmosphere in the room was amazing, a real vibrancy, sense of belonging and comradery with plenty of pride, passion and emotion too."
That is undoubtedly true and reflected in may of the submissions as well as the conversations taking place throughout the evening with family business members meeting like minded peers from a community steeped in history, heritage, purpose, values and integrity.
The audience assembled and the winners were announced and celebrated. Photos taken. Speeches delivered, honest, simple but poignant and certainly heartfelt – celebrating not only those in the room but as representatives of family firms across the UK, recognising that it is the broader family engagement and the teams of people that work in the businesses that help to make the business magic too.
"These awards were created to make families in business appreciate the significant impact they have, whether they are large or small, first generation or multigenerational and to recognise the collective importance they have to the economy and communities the length and breadth of the nation," adds Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of Family Business United.
"Doing business the right way is what they do. And do so well. Crowning the winners was great and it remains a pleasure and a privilege to run an organisation that has these businesses at our core, businesses that make a difference and have a real sense of purpose, community, a narrative and real authenticity. We have been delighted and somewhat overwhelmed, once more, by the response and impact that these awards have had and whilst celebrating the conclusion of the 2024 campaign, are already excited about what the future and 2025 Family Business of the Year Awards have in store," he concludes.
Our Regional Winners For 2024:
Yorkshire – Bagnalls
North of England & Northern Ireland – Arden Dies
East & East Anglia – KFE
Midlands & Central – Landermeads
London & South East – Furniture Village
Scotland – Scot JCB
South, South West & Wales – The George Bence Group
Our Sector Winners For 2024:
Manufacturing – Arden Dies
Food & Drink – Dina Foods
Professional Services – Matthew Douglas Limited
Property & Construction – Bagnalls
Transport & Logistics – Challenger Site Services
Hospitality, Hotel & Leisure – Cedarbarn Farm Shop & Cafe
Homes & Gardens – Brewers Decorator Centres
Retail – Furniture Village
Health & Welfare – Landermeads
Our People’s Choice Winners For 2024:
Yorkshire People’s Choice – Heck Food
East & East Anglia People’s Choice – Source One Consulting
Midlands & Central People’s Choice – Cleenol
London & South East People’s Choice – Allan Reeder Ltd
North & Northern Ireland People’s Choice – Dunsters Farm
Scotland People’s Choice – Hattie's Autobody
South, South West & Wales People’s Choice – Healthcare Matters
National People’s Choice – Allan Reeder Ltd
Our National Winners For 2024:
Innovation - The Wilkins Group
Sustainability – The John Good Group
Entrepreneurship – The Pantry UK Ltd
Positive Societal Impact - Quality Life UK
Community Support & Involvement – Regal Food Products Group Plc
Essence of Family Business – Dunsters Farm
Ones to Watch – Lemongrove Productions and The Pizza Post
Small Family Business of the Year – Gibsons
SUPREME CHAMPIONS – BAGNALLS
A great night that was capped off with the announcement of the Supreme Champion Family Business of the Year 2024, an accolade that was accepted on behalf of Bagnalls by Stephen Bagnall.
As Paul continues, "Bagnalls is a fantastic business that deserves all the accolades that come with winning this title. They are an inspirational business, founded back in 1875 and will be celebrating 150 years as a family business in 2025."
"Bagnalls is an incredible family business that have already done so much, in their sector doing what they do, for the communities in which they operate, and more broadly for the family business community as a whole."
"In the words of the judges Bagnalls are deserving winners of the Supreme Champion award as they are:
A family business with a rich heritage packed with incredible stories that demonstrate their success over the years
A family firm with strong credentials, governance and family values at their core
A brilliant business using their culture and scale to commit to supporting next generations
A business with a fantastic culture and a great example of stewardship through the generations
A family that cares and wants to do business the right way
A truly great family business that is brilliant in what it does
"They are without exception, a shining example of a great British family business with all the positive attributes in place. Proud of its heritage, committed to its values and its people with family members leading by example, not to mention the quality of their craftsmanship."
"With a passion for painting since 1875 and a fifth generation leader who is immensely proud to be the current custodian of this family business, committed to working hard to provide an ongoing legacy befitting of his forefathers, Bagnalls are worthy winners of this accolade," adds James Trigg of headline sponsors and presenter of the award from Brooks Macdonald.
As Stephen Bagnall, fifth generation Managing Director of Bagnalls adds:
"I am immensely proud to receive this award, which is testament to the five generations of the Bagnalls family and its employees who have contributed so much to the company's past 149 years of success."
"We continue to make great strides in becoming a company that people want to work for and customers want to do business with."
"Bagnalls celebrates 150 years as a specialist painting and decorating company in 2025 and this award will be shared by each and every one of my colleagues as a thank you for their hard work, dedication and commitment to Bagnalls."
"As we move 'together towards 150' I continue to be immensely proud to be the current custodian of this splendid family business and I will continue to work hard to provide a legacy befitting of my forefathers."
These awards were established back in 2012 to celebrate family businesses and the contribution they make. Last night was certainly a great celebration and recognition of firms that are great ambassadors for the sector too.
Family businesses are at the heart of what we do here at Family Business United. Congratulations go to all the finalists and of course the winners. Enjoy the celebrations!
And finally a massive thank you to all of our judges, presenters and the FBU team for making it happen and to our award sponsors Western Pension Solutions, Birketts, Buckles, Forsters, Turcan Connell, TWYD & Co, Goodman Jones and Brooks Macdonald.
We cannot wait to follow the next steps in the journey of your businesses and of course, return next year to announce the winners of the 2025 Family Business of the Year Awards too!
If you want to find out more and be notified about the 2025 awards or want to find out more about becoming a judge or an award sponsor we would love to hear from you. Simply complete the contact us form at the bottom of the home page on our website here and we will be in touch.
Check out the full gallery of images from a fabulous evening here:
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