Independent family brewer Shepherd Neame has been named Supreme Champion Family Business of the Year at the National Family Business of the Year Awards 2026. After scooping awards for London and South East Family Business of the Year and Hospitality, Hotel and Leisure Family Business of the Year, the Kent-based brewer was crowned overall winner at the ceremony, hosted on June 17 at the Royal Geographical Society in London. A total of 28 businesses were recognised at the event, which celebrates the outstanding contribution family-run firms make to the UK economy and the communities they serve. Shepherd Neame’s Director of Professional Property, John Barnes, and Wines and Spirits Development Manager, Moray Neame, collected the awards on behalf of the company. The judging panel praised Shepherd Neame's ‘strong governance, wider community engagement, deep history, sustainability credentials, purpose and values’, describing the business as ‘truly deserving’ and saying it ‘represents the true essence of what being an independent British family business is all about’. Family Business United Founder and CEO, Paul Andrews, said: “Shepherd Neame is a truly impressive example of a family business. Whilst they boast an incredible heritage, their continued growth, strength and resilience are testament to their clear purpose and values, brought to life through constant innovation and adaptation." “Thriving in this sector is a challenge, yet they continue to demonstrate that success comes from having a clear purpose, strong governance, a long-term perspective and an unwavering commitment to the communities they serve." “They are resilient, innovative and adaptive, and are quite simply a benchmark family business with exceptional leadership, strong values and a firm eye on where they are going." Shepherd Neame Chief Executive Jonathan Neame said: “We are incredibly proud to be recognised in the Family Business of the Year Awards." “Shepherd Neame may be Britain's oldest brewer, but our approach is anything but old-fashioned." "We remain an independent family business, yet flexible and agile, and that has enabled us to survive and thrive. We are delighted to be named Supreme Champion Family Business of the Year.” About Shepherd Neame Shepherd Neame has been based in the market town of Faversham, Kent for over 300 years. Perhaps best known for great British classic ales such as Spitfire Amber, which carries the Royal Warrant, its diverse portfolio includes the Bear Island and Whitstable Bay collections. It also brews international lagers under licence including premium Thai lager Singha. The independent family business boasts an award-winning visitor centre and 286 pubs and hotels throughout London and the South East, from the historic heart of the City to the Kent coastline.

A retired Staffordshire firefighter is digging deep for the Poppy Appeal — by launching a JCB-themed badge to raise vital funds. Kelvin Chell, from Audley, Newcastle-under-Lyme, has designed a bespoke JCB digger-themed pin badge with all proceeds supporting the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. JCB and Fenton-based JCB supplier Rayne Engineering have joined forces to fund production of 1,300 of the badges, which will be available for a minimum donation of £4. Kelvin has a long track record of raising funds for military charities through his bespoke badge designs, having raised more than £140,000 six years for the Poppy Appeal. The badges will initially go on sale at the JCB Lakeside 5 and Fun run from 6pm on Thursday, July 9th, when hundreds of racers are expected to compete in the popular evening five-mile race and two-mile fun run course around the JCB World Headquarters at Rocester. Kelvin said: “I wanted to do something with a JCB theme to co-oincide with the company’s 80th anniversary year and because JCB is one of the great British success stories based in my home county of Staffordshire. It’s fantastic to have the support of both JCB and Rayne Engineering to bring the project to life. Every badge sold will help support veterans and their families, which is something very close to my heart.” Andrew Simmell, owner of Rayne Engineering, added: “We’re proud to support Kelvin’s efforts and to play a part in such an important cause. The Poppy Appeal does incredible work supporting the Armed Forces community, and this badge is a brilliant way to raise both funds and awareness.” The official launch took place at JCB’s World Headquarters in Rocester, attended by JCB employees Karl Sutton, who served with the 1st Battalion Staffordshire Regiment and Tim Constantino, who served with the 16th 5th Queen’s Royal Lancers. Also at the unveiling was retired JCB employee Gil Mould, who served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers attached to the Army Air Corps and is now a member of the Cheadle branch of the Royal British Legion. Tim Constantino said: “It is a real privilege to be involved in launching this initiative. Kelvin’s commitment to fundraising is inspiring, and these badges are a great tribute to both JCB and the Armed Forces community. I hope they prove hugely popular.” Annemarie Jones, Regional Poppy Appeal Manager for the Northeast and Northwest Midlands, said: “We are really grateful for Kelvin’s support over many years and we are very pleased that JCB and Rayne Engineering are contributing towards this year’s great fundraising initiative.” The fundraising effort continues JCB’s long-standing support for the Royal British Legion, including the unveiling of a special poppy-themed machine which was auctioned for the charity in 2018 to mark the centenary of the Armistice. Photo: Pictured left to right at the launch are Andrew Simmill, of Rayne Engineering; Annmarie Jones of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal; JCB employee Karl Sutton, retired firefighter Kelvin Chell; JCB employee Tim Constantino; Lord Bamford and retired JCB employee Gil Mould of the Cheadle branch of the Royal British Legion.

Little’s Chauffeur Drive, proudly celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026, has introduced bespoke Mercedes-Benz Grand Tourer Sprinters to its fleet, further strengthening its premium group travel offering across Scotland and the UK. Already well established in delivering high-quality group transport, the addition of these 16-seater vehicles enhances capacity while elevating the onboard experience for luxury travel. Built by specialist coachbuilder EVM UK and finished in Little’s signature burgundy livery, the new Grand Tourer Sprinters have been specified to combine comfort, practicality and a refined travel environment, in line with the company’s consistently high service standards. Enhancing Group Travel Experience Now in service, the Grand Tourer Sprinters offer a flexible, high-spec solution for a wide range of journeys, including corporate events, conferences, luxury touring, airport transfers and private itineraries. Key features include: Executive seating for up to 16 passengers plus chauffeur Bespoke leather interiors with generous legroom Saloon-style tables for meetings and working on the move Panoramic windows creating a bright, spacious interior Extensive luggage capacity and full-length overhead storage USB charging at every seat Onboard fridge and integrated PA system The vehicles are designed to support both business and leisure travel, delivering a smooth, comfortable and well-coordinated journey experience. Designed Around the Client Experience The introduction of the Grand Tourer Sprinters enhances Little’s group travel offering, bringing added comfort, space and flexibility as the business continues to invest in its services during its 60th anniversary year. Heather Matthews, Managing Director of Little’s Chauffeur Drive, said: “We’ve seen continued demand for high-quality group transport across a wide range of client journeys. These vehicles allow us to build on our existing service, while offering an enhanced level of comfort, space and flexibility.” Kenneth Good, Head of Special Operations and Director, added: “The Grand Tourer Sprinters give us greater flexibility in how we support group travel, from corporate requirements to more tailored touring itineraries. As always, the focus is on delivering a smooth, well-managed experience from start to finish.” About Little’s Chauffeur Drive Founded in 1966, Little’s Chauffeur Drive is a second-generation, family-owned luxury transport provider celebrating 60 years of service excellence, this year. Headquartered in Scotland, with bases in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, it is Scotland’s largest chauffeur drive operator, delivering premium travel across the UK and in over 125 countries worldwide. With a fleet of more than 40 luxury vehicles, Little’s specialises in corporate and executive travel, airport transfers, bespoke chauffeur-driven tours and complex event logistics. Operating 24/7 with an experienced in-house team, the company is known for its personal service, precision and reliability, building long-standing relationships with a diverse international client base.

Solar shading manufacturer Caribbean used its first appearance at Clerkenwell Design Week to meet architects, designers and specifiers and discuss a range of live projects. The Suffolk-based company exhibited two of its louvred roof pergolas at The Charterhouse in London alongside outdoor furniture specialist Bridgman. Visitors were able to experience the Classic and Deluxe pergolas at full scale within the historic courtyard setting, seeing how the systems provide control over light, shade and ventilation in changing conditions. The event gave Caribbean the opportunity to engage directly with architects and designers working on projects across a range of sectors, while also strengthening relationships with existing contacts. Stuart Dantzic, Managing Director of Caribbean, said: “Like many exhibitors, there were times when the event felt a little quieter than we expected. The planned Tube strikes, which were then called off at the last minute, may have affected attendance on the opening day, while the sunshine on the final day probably tempted some people elsewhere." “However, Clerkenwell Design Week is a specifier event rather than a consumer show. We had some fantastic discussions around genuinely exciting projects and it was also great to finally meet people face-to-face with people we’ve previously only worked with through Teams and Zoom.” Alongside its pergola display, Caribbean handed out tote bags made from surplus awning fabric, giving material that might otherwise have gone to waste a practical second life. To find out more about Caribbean’s pergolas, awnings and external shading systems, visit here,or contact the team to discuss an upcoming project.

Say hello to the new Albany range and get ready to achieve exceptional results on every job. Why you should try the new Albany products The Albany Professional Paint range delivers improved coverage, enhanced colour accuracy and better opacity across the collection. The result is less guesswork, greater consistency and a finish to be proud of. You’ll also benefit from: Durable, long-lasting finishes Class 1 scrub ratings Mould-resistant coatings Faster drying times Find out more about how Albany re-developed the range. What products are available in the new Albany range? Find the right product for the right job and decorate with confidence. Albany Vinyl Matt Albany Vinyl Silk Albany Vinyl Soft Sheen Albany Scrubbable Matt Albany Acrylic Eggshell Albany Eggshell Albany Supercover Albany Super Satin Albany Super Primer Undercoat Albany Super Gloss Albany Acrylic Primer Undercoat Albany Gloss Albany Satin Albany Undercoat Albany AF1 Always improving There’s nothing duller than watching paint dry. Except when it’s Albany! That’s why Albany are always innovating their products to be the best in the market. Over the next few months, Albany will be launching new formulas for its ABX Exterior, AF1 Ceiling Paint and Smooth Masonry products. The wider Albany range is also being redeveloped including brushes and rollers so you’re ready for any job. Explore the Albany Colour Collection From crisp neutrals to bold hues, The Albany Colour Collection features a versatile palette of over 600 shades, with colours to suit every style and space. Bring your ideas to life with curated interiors inspiration and see how the colours work in real homes. Where can you buy the new Albany paints? Order online or visit your local Brewers Decorator Centre.

Arco, the UK and Ireland’s leading safety experts, have released an exclusive first look inside their industry-leading safety lab which tests hundreds of products every year. The behind-the-scenes video shows Arco-made PPE being rigorously tested at the facility in Hull, which is the UK’s only UKAS-accredited lab, and comes as the leading safety experts have this month secured EcoVadis Platinum status for world class sustainability, receiving the top score of any UK safety supplier. Arco’s upgrade from Gold to Platinum has placed them in the top 1% of organisations worldwide for sustainability performance and has strengthened their position as a trusted leader in managing Environmental, Social or Governance (ESG) risks and driving ethical, sustainable business practice. Arco secured the highest level of recognition within EcoVadis’ globally recognised sustainability rating system, and the top UK score in its industry, thanks to a 10% overall increase on last year, with near-perfect results in the Environment pillar. Arco’s Platinum EcoVadis rating supports customers in meeting their own sustainability and ESG commitments, providing assurance that their safety supply chain is responsibly managed, ethically sourced and independently verified against globally respected standards. Arco's Head of Sustainability, Jim Harbidge, said: “I’m delighted that Arco has achieved a Platinum rating from EcoVadis for the first time – it places our sustainability performance in the top one per cent of all organisations worldwide." “A Platinum rating is testament to our commitment to sustainability and a significant endorsement of the choices we make and how we operate as a business." “We know that sustainability is a key factor in our customers’ contracting and procurement decisions and we hope this proves to them that Arco is an industry leader in managing ESG risks and driving ethical business practice.” This prestigious new rating comes just weeks after a damning report published by the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) revealed that a staggering 82% of personal protective equipment (PPE) supplied by non-BSIF registered organisations fails safety testing. These shocking findings highlighted the growing importance of sourcing PPE from BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers, such as industry leaders Arco, who demonstrated consistently high compliance levels, underpinning their ongoing commitment to leaving nothing to chance. In 2025, they tested over 800 products through their laboratory, ensuring the risk that an end user receives a faulty product, or a product that doesn't comply, is extremely low. Built on more than 135 years of safety excellence, Arco works meticulously with organisations across the country to deliver practical safety solutions and reliable expertise that protects workers every day. To find out more about Arco’s rigorous testing, and what led them to achieving their prestigious new EcoVadis rating, visit the company’s website here.

James Cowper Kreston are pleased to announce the appointment of Katy Rabindran as Business Tax Partner, based in our Oxford office. Katy brings over 20 years of experience advising businesses on their tax affairs, taking an approach that ensures her advice aligns with wider tax strategies. She focuses on delivering practical and relevant guidance. Prior to joining the firm, Katy worked at Grant Thornton UK and BDO UK, where she supported a range of clients across several different sectors. Katy will play a key role in supporting businesses with their tax planning, advising on how to take advantage of tax reliefs for Research & Development (R&D), patented products and processes, targeted reliefs and more. Her joining reflects the continued growth of our Business Tax offering and strengthens our ability to provide high-quality innovative tax advice to clients. Commenting on joining the firm, Katy Rabindran, Business Tax Partner, said: “I'm excited to join the James Cowper Kreston team and to support our clients to achieve their goals. I look forward to working with the Business Tax team and getting to know our clients to bring my experience and perspective to all our relationships." Phil Snell, Partner and Head of Business Tax at James Cowper Kreston commented: “Katy is a fantastic addition to our growing team and her expertise as a tax specialist will be instrumental in enhancing the wider Business Tax services we provide to our clients.” Alex Peal, Managing Partner, added: “We are delighted to welcome Katy to the firm. Katy’s appointment is an important step in the continued development of our Business Tax offering and growing team." "Her extensive experience and insight will play a key role in supporting our clients and driving the next phase of our growth.”

The government has recently confirmed a number of significant changes to Companies House filing requirements which are expected to take effect from April 2028. These changes are aimed at improving transparency and reducing economic crime and will affect small companies. Profit and loss accounts will need to be filed Currently, many small companies can file accounts at Companies House without submitting a profit and loss account. From April 2028, small and micro companies will be required to file a profit and loss account with Companies House as part of their annual accounts filing. Following consultation with businesses and advisers, the government has confirmed that companies will be able to opt out of having the profit and loss account published on the public register. This means that while the information must be filed with Companies House, it will not be available for public inspection. The information will, however, be available to relevant government authorities where required. Accounts must be filed using approved software Companies House will move to a fully digital filing system. From April 2028, companies will no longer be able to file accounts using Companies House's existing web-based accounts filing service. Instead, accounts must be filed using approved commercial software. Many businesses already use accounting or accounts production software and may see little practical impact. However, directors who currently prepare and file accounts directly through Companies House will need to ensure they have suitable software in place before the changes take effect. Restrictions on changing your accounting year end The government has announced plans to restrict the ability of companies to repeatedly shorten their accounting reference period (year end). Under the current rules, companies can generally shorten their accounting period as often as required. This flexibility has sometimes been used to alter filing dates or reporting periods. The new rules will limit the number of times a company can shorten its accounting reference date. Detailed guidance has not yet been published, so it is not currently known exactly how frequently changes will be permitted or what exceptions may apply. What should company directors do now? There is no immediate action required, as these changes are not expected to take effect until April 2028. However, directors should be aware that: Profit and loss accounts will need to be filed with Companies House. Companies will be able to opt out of public disclosure of those profit and loss accounts. Accounts filing will need to be completed through approved software. Future changes to accounting year ends are likely to be more restricted than under the current rules. We will provide further updates as additional guidance is released by Companies House. If you would like to discuss how we can help your business, please speak to your usual James Cowper Kreston contact, or get in touch with our team here to find out how we can help you maximise your potential.

The Munnelly Group has announced the appointment of Matt Duck to the position of Group Board Director – People & Culture, in a move which will see him lead the company’s People and Culture function across all eight of its brands. Taking ‘People’ and ‘Culture’ out of the standard HR function and giving it a specific Board directive is a strategic move from the Munnelly Group as part of its long-term growth framework, ‘Target 2030’. An experienced HR professional, Matt has worked within senior leadership roles for the last 25 years and will play an integral role in strengthening the Munnelly Group’s people and culture function even further, with part of his remit to embed the ‘One Group, One Mission, One Standard’ value across the Group. Having initially joined the company in a consultancy role, Matt was officially named Group Director of HR on a full-time basis in 2023. During his time in this role, he developed a high-performing HR team and was responsible for relaunching the reward and recognition strategy, enhancing the management of employee relations streams and delivering a suite of leadership workshops. Matt, who has experience working across numerous sectors, including construction, retail and financial services, before joining the Munnelly Group, will now oversee HR operations at the Group’s eight specialist trading businesses – Munnelly Support Services, Guardior, MacRail, Bishopsgate Group, City Calling, Weston Analytics, Bridgehead Consultancy and Severn Partnership. Paul David Munnelly, CEO of the Munnelly Group, said: “Matt’s appointment to the Munnelly Group Board reflects the high level of importance that we have placed on our People and Culture functions across the Group as part of our long-term, strategic planning process." "This new role will enable us to drive forward with confidence as we continue to grow the business through investment in our people and exemplary culture to promote our core values of trust, collaboration and innovation.” Commenting on his appointment to the Munnelly Group Board, Matt added: “I am extremely honoured and delighted to be the new Group Board Director – People & Culture. This is a pivotal time for everyone connected with the business as the people and culture function prepares to deliver a journey of growth across the Group." "My aim is to build on the work that has already been put in place and to continue to make Munnelly Group a proud, people-centric organisation, where further enhanced leadership capabilities are developed to bring out the best in every employee here so we can all achieve together."

Family Business United is delighted to announce the launch of the Family Business Apprentice Employers Report 2026, the UK's only annual report dedicated to understanding the role that family businesses play in employing and developing apprentices. As the backbone of the UK economy, family firms have a long-standing reputation for investing in people, developing talent and creating opportunities across generations. Apprenticeships remain a vital part of that commitment, helping businesses address skills shortages while providing rewarding career pathways for people of all ages. To build the most comprehensive picture possible, Family Business United is inviting family-owned businesses from across the UK to submit information on the number of apprentices they employed as at 30 June 2026. The report, now an established annual benchmark, celebrates the contribution family firms make to apprenticeship employment and highlights examples of best practice from businesses of every size and sector. Why Take Part? By contributing your data, your business will help: Showcase the significant contribution family businesses make to apprenticeship employment across the UK. Demonstrate the sector's commitment to developing future talent. Inform policymakers, educators and business leaders about the impact of family firms on skills development. Highlight inspiring stories of apprentices succeeding within family businesses. Create valuable benchmarking data for the family business community. Participation is free, and individual business data will only be used in accordance with the reporting methodology. What Information is Required? We are asking family businesses to provide: Company name Industry sector Number of UK employees Number of apprentices employed as at 30 June 2026 Number of new apprentices during the year and the number completing their apprenticeship this year Optional case studies or apprentice success stories Building a Stronger Picture Together Family businesses have always understood the importance of investing in future generations. Whether employing one apprentice or hundreds, every contribution helps create a clearer picture of the enormous impact family firms have on skills, employment and local communities. The findings from the Family Business Apprentice Employers Report 2026 will be published later this year and will provide valuable insight into apprenticeship employment across the UK's family business sector. Submit Your Data Family businesses wishing to be included are encouraged to submit their information as soon as possible with data as of June 30 using the form below. Together, we can celebrate the family firms investing in tomorrow's workforce and demonstrate the vital role family businesses continue to play in developing skills across the UK.

One of Cumbria’s leading independent accountancy firms, Lamont Pridmore, is urging small and medium-sized businesses across Cumbria and the North West and beyond to take a closer look at finances beyond the summer. Whilst the schools will soon break up for holidays, for many businesses in the region, Summer is a period of relative hustle and bustle, rather than relaxation, as visitors flock to the region. Even those not linked to the region’s tourism and leisure industry can see busier months in the summer as they support the local economy or take advantage of the good weather. Lamont Pridmore says that businesses shouldn’t take this period for granted and must prepare for seasonal trade slowdowns, delayed payments from clients taking annual leave, payroll complications from temporary staff, and depleted cash reserves as the rush comes to an end. Success isn’t shared across industries either, and for some, the summer can be a period of additional pressure as staff take time off or other businesses wind down. Chris Lamont, Group Managing Director and Partner at Lamont Pridmore, said: "We speak to business owners throughout the year who are confused about why they feel under pressure during summer when their accounts look healthy. The honest answer is that profitability and cashflow are two very different things and summer has a particular habit of exposing that gap." The pressures vary by sector, but the pattern is familiar across many parts of the economy. In hospitality, a surge in footfall can mask the fact that suppliers still expect payment within agreed terms, while staff costs rise sharply as operators take on seasonal workers to cope with demand. In construction, longer days and dry weather should in theory mean more productive sites, but project delays, stretched payment chains and holiday leave among both client contacts and site staff frequently disrupt cashflow timing. What these sectors share is a mismatch between when money is earned and when it needs to be paid out. Summer can intensify that mismatch in ways that many businesses do not fully anticipate or lead to a period of confidence followed by a period of relative inactivity. Late payment is a persistent problem for SMEs at any time of year, but summer can make it worse, as decision-makers go on holiday or accounts teams run on reduced cover. A new study by accountancy technology developer Sage released this month showed that nearly half of all SME invoices were overdue (49 per cent) in the first quarter of 2026. For a business carrying overhead through July and August, even a two-week delay across several clients can tighten cashflow significantly. "We always encourage clients to take a proactive approach to credit control throughout the summer," said Chris. "As things get busier, it is easy to overlook but chasing payment before your contacts disappear for two weeks is not aggressive, it is prudent." “The businesses that come through summer in good shape tend to be the ones who have done the groundwork in June." The firms that navigate summer with the least disruption are typically those that treat cashflow as an active management exercise rather than something to review after the event. They use the busier months to build resilience by building consistent habits, such as maintaining a cash buffer that reflects the seasonal rhythm of the business rather than a standard one-size figure, reviewing debtor days regularly and acting early when they start to stretch; having a clear picture of fixed costs across the summer period and communicating openly with their adviser when they anticipate a squeeze rather than waiting until it has arrived. "There is no shame in finding summer difficult, even if it feels like you should be enjoying it," said Chris. "Some very well-run businesses have genuinely tough months. What we try to help clients do is see it coming, plan for it and have the right conversations early enough that the options are still open."

Recent government announcements highlight a clear shift in the UK’s innovation landscape. Decision-making is becoming more regional, AI infrastructure is expanding rapidly, and the UK is strengthening its position as a global hub for research and talent. A move towards regional funding Greater control over innovation funding is being devolved to regional leaders through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, enabling investment decisions to better reflect local strengths and growth priorities. For businesses, this means opportunities are increasingly aligned to regional strategies, making local engagement and strong local partnerships more important than ever. AI infrastructure creating new opportunities Government investment in the AI Research Resource (AIRR) is making it much easier to access advanced computing. It is also opening new application opportunities where projects can apply to use large-scale GPU computing power for AI work. While this does not provide direct funding, it offers access to scarce compute resources that are often a critical barrier to innovation, particularly for SMEs and scale-ups developing AI-driven solutions. Strengthening talent and global collaboration The UK continues to attract international researchers and strengthen its position within Horizon Europe, reinforcing its role as a leading global innovation centre. At the same time, expanded visa routes for R&D-intensive businesses are improving access to the talent needed to drive growth. What this means for businesses Innovation support is becoming more targeted and competitive. Success will increasingly depend on: aligning with regional priorities demonstrating clear commercial impact building strong partnerships navigating funding and compliance requirements effectively These developments reflect familiar challenges for early-stage and high-growth businesses, from securing the right funding to scaling effectively in an increasingly complex innovation landscape. At James Cowper Kreston, we support businesses at every stage of their lifecycle, helping them align with the right opportunities and maximise their potential. The opportunity is significant, but success will require a more strategic and locally aligned approach. Businesses that position themselves within both regional priorities and national programmes will be best placed to benefit. If you would like to explore how these developments could apply to your business, please get in touch with our team at James Cowper Kreston.