Member Article

Call for Entries - Family Business of the Year 2015

The Family Business of the Year Awards (‘FBOTY’) are a real highlight in the family business calendar and as one of the guests at the 2014 awards evening put it “Congratulations. The evening was a great success – a congenial and friendly atmosphere and real connection between the family firms present. Your energy and commitment is apparent throughout: you are building something special.”

This was echoed by one of the winners who simply added “Well done on a fantastic awards evening. The calibre of entrants was outstanding and your passion and commitment was palpable.”

The FBOTY awards are a celebration of the family business sector and having been introduced in 2012 are now in their third year. Paul Andrews, Founder of Family Business United and creator of the FBOTY awards is delighted with the way that the awards continue to evolve, adding “Each year the quality and quantity of nominations increases and we are now taking the awards to the next level. 2015 sees the gala reception moving to the prestigious May Fair Hotel in the heart of Mayfair, London and we are thrilled to announce a number of new categories too.”

The process begins now with a call for nominations from family owned businesses the length and breadth of the UK. Entries are sought from all sectors with previous winners including funeral directors, a cheese maker and a coffee machine manufacturer. As Paul explains, “It is not just about household names but the recognition of great British family firms and we are delighted to champion this national initiative.”

Entries are requested between now and the end of November and the shortlists will be announced in early 2015. Shortlisted firms will be informed of their nominations for the regional and category awards, automatically entered into the People’s Choice Award (an online award voted for by the public) and in with a chance of winning the overall Family Business of the Year Award 2015 which is sponsored by Close Brothers. In 2014 the overall winners were Potter Logistics from Yorkshire.

Initial entry is simple and can be done online at Family Business United.

Regional award categories are:

London & South East South, South West England and South Wales Yorkshire Scotland Midlands East Anglia North of England, North Wales & Northern Ireland

Sector award categories are:

Food & Drink Luxury Goods Manufacturing Property & Construction Hotel & Leisure Retail Transport & Logistics Commercial Catering

As Paul concludes, “We are really excited about our quest to find the 2015 Family Business of the Year, and if previous years are anything to go by we can expect to uncover some true family business treasures. Family businesses make a great contribution to the UK economy and we look forward to presenting the awards in due course to some great British family firms.”

Nominations need to be entered online by November 30, 2014 and the awards will be presented in London on June 11, 2015.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Andrews .