Family Business UK appoints new board

Family Business UK (FBUK) has appointed Steve Rigby, co-chief executive of Rigby Group, as chair, with Charlie Field, deputy chair of CPJ Field, named as deputy chair.

The organisation, which represents UK family-owned firms, has also welcomed Lord Iain McNicol and former Daily Mirror editor Alison Phillips as board advisers, alongside new directors Rupert Heseltine and Sarah Naghshineh.

The appointments come as FBUK strengthens its voice in Government on issues such as US trade tariffs, SME growth and business property relief, which independent research shows could impact 180,000 jobs.

Steve said: “Building companies that flourish is in my blood and I am relishing the opportunity to use this experience to support FBUK’s important work.

“It is a critical time for our sector. 

“The conditions for growing a family business, such as my own, have become more difficult in recent times. 

“The changes to BPR announced in last October’s budget, present us with a clear challenge. 

“Our vision at FBUK is to be the leading voice for private and family business in the UK. 

“I believe to wield influence on BPR, our voice needs to carry the same weight as other leading business groups. 

“We have made great strides in the past year and I look forward to building on this in the years ahead.”

Neil Davy, chief executive of FBUK, added: “For too long, the voice of private and family businesses has been missing from national and local policy debates and issues that matter to family businesses have been missed by policymakers. 

“These board appointments make it abundantly clear that we plan to change that.

“Family-owned businesses are the beating heart of Britain’s economy employing millions of people in communities in every corner of the UK. 

“The changes to BPR present create material uncertainty and threaten their long-term success. 

“But private family businesses are impacted by far more than BPR and it is vital we properly represent their interests on a broad range of policy proposals right across Government.”

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