FAMILY BUSINESS in association with Pointing the way to success Appointing non-executive director and CEOs key to Story Group’s growth, says Fred

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Family business conference special - family business leaders from across the north of England share their learning and experience on how to build a successful business with more than 100 delegates at a major event in sponsored by leading financial and business advisors Armstrong Watson

35 Family Business.indd 35 26/10/2017 14:26:51 FAMILY BUSINESS Family values The Family Business Conference in Carlisle brought together firms from all over the north and top speakers

amily businesses are crucial to the Cumbrian and national economy and the Govern- Fment needs to do more to help them thrive, a major conference has been told. John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle, made the demand at the Family Business Confer- ence, which attracted more than 100 delegates around the UK to to hear insights from family business leaders from a variety of industries. Mr Stevenson – a Conserv- ative who chairs an all-party Parliamentary Group for Host Sue Howorth and John Stevenson MP, one of the speakers at the conference Family Business – opened the conference in Carlisle with which he said was a distant positive words about the role second from the pressing 36 of family businesses but challenge of the Govern- strong words for a Govern- ment’s attitude to business. ment that he said is “Family businesses becoming “less business existed and thrived before friendly”. we joined the EU, they have “We mustn’t lose sight of existed and thrived while the fact that family business- we have been a member, and es make up the majority of I have every confidence that businesses here in Carlisle when we do leave, family and Cumbria, they are a huge businesses will adapt, employer and make a huge survive and thrive,” he contribution to our “Family businesses in the economy and in their added. community, the economy employ people and pay tax community, Mr Stevenson was joined and the national exchequer. that helps to support the “Companies with by a roster of speakers that “The Government has public sector. Businesses, headquarters in London, shared experiences and become more critical and less and family business, have a Paris or New York do not debated issues ranging from helpful. It has become less vitally important role to play, think of the consequences of growth, succession, Brexit business-friendly when it so in a place like Carlisle and their decisions in the same and productivity. should be creating an Cumbria they really are way as locally based family Fellow speaker Michael environment where they can central to prosperity.” businesses do. They are right Bell, of Bells of Lazonby, said grow and succeed.” Mr Stevenson also in among the communities businesses should not worry Mr Stevenson told stressed the “added value” in which they operate. They about Brexit. delegates that statistics alone of family businesses are acutely aware of the “There is nothing anyone should demand greater which set them apart from impact of their decisions. in this room can do about Government attention. He major companies and “But they add so much Brexit, you just have to get on said 4.7m family businesses multinationals. more value. Those running with your business plan,” he across the UK employ 12m “Family businesses come family businesses are often said. “The biggest challenge people – amounting to half of in many shapes, sizes and trustees of schools, we have in business across the private sector workforce flavours,” he continued. undertake charitable work, the UK is productivity. Our – and generated £1.4 trillion, “There is massive and have much greater social politicians do not seem to or 35 per cent, of the private diversity and the cultures awareness.” understand that if produc- sector contribution to the can also be very different. Mr Stevenson also had a tivity increases, everyone’s UK’s coffers. They have a unique position strong message on Brexit, standard of living increases,

NOVEMBER 2017 / IN-CUMBRIA

35 Family Business.indd 36 26/10/2017 14:27:08 FAMILY BUSINESS in association with

CUMBRIA FAMILY BUSINESS AWARDS LAUNCHED The Cumbria Family Business Awards 2018 are now open for applications and nominations. Businesses with two or more active family members can apply in any of the 12 categories, with the chance of being crowned Outstanding Family Business of the Year. Those looking to nominate their favourite family business can also do Jonathan Lee from CN Group so at www.cumbriafamily speaks to the delegates businessawards.uk - and because last year’s winners are restricted from entering, new winners are and that the focus should be with the right skills in to the Hawkshead Relish, Tara guaranteed. on helping businesses to business and to build teams of Telford of Twoey and Kate This year’s awards were become more efficient.” people around you. If you’re Balchin of Wold Top launched by creators and Mr Bell shared the story of too close to the tools, you don’t Yorkshire Brewery, resulted organisers Sue Howorth, of his company, which was see the bigger picture. You in a lively debate hosted by the Family Business established by his father have to step back.” Dave Clarkson of York and Network, and Sophia after returning from World Other conference Lincoln-based solicitors Newton and Janett Walker War Two with no job to go to. speakers included Fred Langleys. of PR, events and social 37 Initially baking bread for Story of Story Group, who Jonathan Lee of CN Group media company Flock. The local villages, Bells of shared his meteoric rise presented the ‘Face Forward’ event is backed by Lazonby has now grown into from running a business project – a collaboration Armstrong Watson, a significant operation from a bedroom to one with between in-cumbria, Enterprise Answers, Cartmell producing for supermarkets, a multi-million turnover, Armstrong Watson and artist Shepherd and accountancy coffee shop chains and even and William Robinson of Helen Perkins. Through 10 firm Lamont Pridmore as exporting to Australia. Frederic Robinson Ltd, who portraits of clients from well as The Cumberland. Stressing a common revealed the secret of the Cumbria, the North and The judging panel theme of the conference, he Stockport-based brewer’s Scottish Borders, the project consists of Graham Lamont, revealed the trick to running success by bringing in skills aimed to tell the stories of Paul Dickson, Grahame a business was being able to from outside the family family businesspeople in a Latus, Maria Whitehead, accept limitations and circle. creative way to celebrate Paul Andrews, Zoe Dawes, empower others: “I’m the Jacqui Jackson of Thomas Armstrong Watson’s 150th Jacqui Jackson and Jonathan first to admit that I’m not the Jardine and Co hosted a birthday. To learn more Lee. best at the many disciplines trouble-shooting workshop, about the project, turn The winners will be you need to run a manufac- while a panel of “next to page 41 and visit announced at the ceremony turing business. generation” business leaders www.in-cumbria.com. on March 9 at The Garden “The trick is to bring those including Izzy Whitehead of The conference was at Eden near Carlisle. organised by Sue Howorth of The categories are: Food the Family Business and Drink Establishments; Network. Agriculture, Forestry and “The event was a real Farming; Manufacturing; success, and the speakers Property and Construction; were brilliant,” she said. Retailers and Wholesaler; “I hope people have gone Large Hotels, Leisure and away with some really useful Tourism; Small Hotels, insight and plenty of ideas to Leisure and Tourism; Food take back to their businesses.” and Drink Producers; The conference also saw Professional and Business the launch of the Cumbria Services; Transport and The next generation: Izzy Whitehead from The Hawkshead Family Business Awards Logistics; Creative Business; Relish Company, Tara Telford from Twoey and Kate Balchin 2018, which will take place and Employee of the Year. from Wold Top Yorkshire Brewery on March 9.

IN-CUMBRIA / NOVEMBER 2017

35 Family Business.indd 37 26/10/2017 14:27:20 FAMILY BUSINESS

FACE FORWARD SUE HOWORTH

was family-run firm, the real delighted feeling and emotion create to something special. Iwelcome Creating and organising over 100 an event of this scale is delegates always challenging but all to the the family businesses second annual Family taking part and my event Business Conference. partners and supporters I was profoundly moved helped make it even better by the sense of warmth than I could have hoped for. during the day, though not My deepest thanks to all surprised. While all the those who attended, the speakers reflected and speakers, Armstrong shared their stories Watson, Wrapped Agency, differently there were Flock, InCumbria and Net*. Conference organiser Sue Howorth, Jonathan Lee from CN some common recurring Believe it or not, it hasn’t Group and Dave Clarkson from Langleys with family business themes that are unique to all been about the portraits by Helen Perkins family businesses. conference though. This The importance of month I have been meeting A major campaign to promote business, art and media working with brilliant family businesses in family businesses was which was highlighted at an people, the pride and Yorkshire, which included presented to delegates at the international media impact on quality and The Helmsley Group, Issac Family Business Conference. conference in Oslo last innovation that comes with Poad and Williams Den. Armstrong Watson, sponsors month, as a way media can having the family name Locally, I had the of the conference, worked work with businesses on a ‘over the door’ and the pleasure of gaining a real with award-winning successful content marketing responsibility to support insight into Westmorland professional portrait artist strategy. their local communities. Sheepskins, a family 38 Helen Perkins and CN Group Jonathan said: “The The feedback has been business whose products to promote family businesses campaign has been a joy to overwhelming. include ready-made in celebration of the work on because of the Gill Hall of Butlers clothing, sheepskin coats, company’s 150th anniversary. brilliant people involved who Cheeses’ peer-to-peer slippers and leather shoes. Jonathan Lee, CN Group’s are all experts in their field, session was a deeply They are a sixth development director, told from artist Helen Perkins, to moving and personal generational family the conference how the the team at Armstrong moment of the day. The business and over the 12-month Face Forward Watson, the amazing family session was run by Jacqui years they have diversified campaign had showcased 10 business leaders profiled, and Jackson of Thomas Jardine and adapted, responding to family business leaders from the photographers, & Co, a Carlisle-based the changing economic across the north of England journalists and designers at support organisation aimed climate of the last 13 and Scotland. CN Group. It has been a true at helping family run food decades or more. Through Helen’s drawings partnership and collaboration and drink businesses. I will Dominique Heaton, who and oil painting portraiture, which has delivered soon be announcing some is married to the youngest stunning photography by outstanding results. collaborative peer-to-peer son in the family Tim award-winning CN Group “CN Group, which is a sessions with Jacqui. Heaton, told me they have photographers and profiles of 200-year-old family business Tara Telford of Twoey, invested in products made the business leaders and itself, is here to support Kate Balchin of Wold Top by small family businesses their businesses, Armstrong family businesses and help Brewery and Izzy who are interested in the Watson was able to show them grow and be more Whitehead presented an quality of the product as how it has supported family successful. We have really inspirational and strong opposed to simply the businesses through the enjoyed working with vision for the future of margins – thinking less generations and how its Armstrong Watson and family businesses. Tara has about what they can take range of experts helps their family business clients big plans for Twoey but out to reduce the price but businesses grow and prosper. and would be delighted to also respects the heritage what more they can put in The imagery was used work with other businesses of the business as she to improve their products. across a 12-month print, web in a similar partnership stated “if I can be as good Definitely a family and social campaign including approach.” as my mum I’ll be doing business who intend to a monthly family business To find out how CN Group brilliantly. She’s the best keep growing and diversify. section in in-Cumbria could help your family business woman I know.” It so was fascinating to magazine, in a pioneering business contact jonathan. Therein lies the difference gain an honest insight to partnership between [email protected]. between a corporate and a their future plans.

NOVEMBER 2017 / IN-CUMBRIA

35 Family Business.indd 38 26/10/2017 14:27:25 FAMILY BUSINESS in association with A brilliant success Story Fred Story, who leads one of the biggest construction and contracting companies in the country, inspired conference delegates with his passion and his tips for growing a family business

t is hard not be bowled over by Fred Story. For Fred Story someone who is larger than life, in stature, personality and in the Iscale of his business achievements, you get the feeling he is in equal parts amused and uncomfortable when tagged with titles such as “tycoon”. But when you become a Sunday Times Rich List regular, with a recorded fortune of £150m, then grand titles are bound to follow. Listening to his story and opinions, you do not get the sense of the money behind the man. He is down-to- earth, softly spoken, but with a clear drive and determination to succeed. Speaking at the Family 39 Business Conference, it was ambitions to become part of greatly from bringing in when after a quick early rise difficult to register the it really did make a differ- professionals. I have got to a £2.5m turnover, he meteoric rise of someone ence to me,” he said. CEOs running my businesses invested in Carlisle United who left a job at construction “It reignited my passion. incredibly well and they are football club, and his company Thomas Armstrong I’m 60 now, but I’m young. thriving as a result of it. business activities lost to set up a business in his I am chairman of both of “As family business people momentum. bedroom, with a few plots of my companies but I’m still there can be a natural “I’ve always been a great land and an ambition to out there creating new instinct to hand down to believer in silver linings, but build houses on them. businesses and have new sons and daughters, whereas I could never think of any Around 30 years later projects lined up. I really I think my business has benefit from buying Carlisle Story Homes is a big player in enjoy trying something to benefitted by not necessarily United,” he said, admitting the housing market, turning see if it works.” doing that.” that he had initially forgot to out high quality homes For Mr Story, there is Mr Story first sought tell his wife about the across Cumbria, Lancashire, one top tip – a clear secret outside help in the form of purchase. the north-east and southern to success and the reason former Cumbria County “I suppose the real benefit Scotland. His other company, why he has got where he Council Chief Executive I got was that I learned to Story Contracting, has has. Peter Stybelski, who, as a listen to people. When you’re construction, rail and plant “You are not necessarily non-executive director, struggling you are more hire divisions, which operate the best person to run your helped establish a structure open to ideas, when you’re throughout the North and business,” he said. to the company and profes- doing well and making a big Scotland. “Just because you had the sionalise recruitment profit (you make the mistake With more than 1,000 talent and balls to start a processes. of thinking) there’s nothing employees and a target to company doesn’t always “I kissed a lot of frogs, but that other people can tell reach £350m in 2017, it is a mean you’re the best person when we got things right the you.” far cry from the bedroom. to take it forward. business really kicked on,” And he left with one word Clearly, his passion has “Doing that can require a he said. “I can’t understate of wisdom on the challenges had a lot to do with his different or very specific skill the importance of getting facing family businesses and success, a passion that has set. That’s when it comes to professional advice and business in general: “Good been reignited recently with finding the right person to challenge.” businesses thrive during his children taking an do that. There is a lot of This has been a real life good and bad times. For me interest in the company. talent out there. lesson for Mr Story, who competition drives good “To find out that they had “My businesses benefitted admitted he learned a lot behaviour and results.”

IN-CUMBRIA / NOVEMBER 2017

35 Family Business.indd 39 26/10/2017 14:27:32 FAMILY BUSINESS

NEW Tips from an expert APPOINTMENT Robinsons Brewery boss William Robinson, whose 180-year-old company runs 250 pubs, shared his wisdom and advice with other family business owners - including insights on bringing in outside expertise

eing able to take a long-term view is a huge benefit Armstrong Watson’s award- for family winning tax consultancy businesses, says team are celebrating with theB man behind one of the the recent appointment of leading independent Steve Ferrie to the firm. brewers and pub operators Mr Ferrie joins the firm as in the North West. a VAT consultant following a And there is plenty of 39-year career with HMRC, substance behind the primarily as a VAT inspector. statement from sixth A CIOT chartered tax generation William advisor, he will work as part Robinson, who runs the of the VAT team, providing 180-year-old Robinsons advice to clients across its 16 Brewery empire with his offices, including Carlisle, cousin Oliver as joint Gill Hall from Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses receives business Penrith, , managing directors. advice on a specific question from Mr Robinson Robinson and Wigton. Mr Robinson – who is A main feature of his role mainly responsible for the houses within an estate bring real results, added Mr will be to offer a new VAT managed and tenanted pub that is run from its Robinson. health check service to estate which includes 40 Stockport HQ. “If you get the right clients. pubs in Cumbria – said it And while Mr Robinson is dynamic it can really work Following on from his 40 gave family businesses an proud of the company’s and be very powerful. experience as an internal advantage over other heritage, and the fact that it Family businesses are hard trainer with HMRC, Mr Ferrie businesses who are driven has continued to grow and work. You need harmony will also offer a VAT training by short term targets. evolve with the family, he is within the family and service to business owners “For me, the big thing also keen to look to the honesty at all times – we have who wish to improve their about being a family future. Bringing in expertise to give time to talk and own or their staff’s VAT business is that you get to from outside the family has communicate. knowledge, with this being think. You don’t get caught been a big part of its ongoing “We have to understand tailored to the specific up in the here and now development. where business ends and requirements of each politics,” he said, after “There is always the family stops. That talking individual business. delivering a headline potential to hold on to about businesses isn’t He said: “I am delighted to presentation to the Family things too much. But we appropriate for the dinner be joining the Armstrong Business Conference. wanted to bring people in table on a Sunday. Watson tax team, especially “Not being driven by the with the right skills and “You can’t take things at this exciting time as the next quarters allows us to knowledge to help us and home with you, because firm celebrates 150 years of make the right decisions and support the business. when you do it can become advising and supporting take a more considered “We want to bring people more challenging.” clients. approach to things. All good in around us, grow them Robinsons Brewery has big “I hope to be able to use businesses should be and help us to make key ambitions for the future. It my experience of working in looking for the long term. It decisions. The key thing is plans to keep investing in its and teaching VAT in the means we can be more that you treat them well. It is tenanted pubs, at a rate of public sector to assist both confident in what we do.” more than just a salary, it is around 20 a year, and is clients and colleagues with The Robinson business about involving them and looking to build external the challenges VAT may can certainly afford to be making them feel part of sales. And while it is hard sometimes present.” confident. It was originally things. work, Mr Robinson is keen to David Graham, senior VAT set up as a small-scale “People know the stress it needs to be enjoyable. consultant added: “It is a brewer in 1838, and deliver- difference when they work “We’re about brilliant pubs great pleasure to have Steve ing a quality product for a family business.” and brilliant people. A on board as part of the VAT remains at the heart of the Mixing family with business is all about people. team. Steve will bring a business. Over the years it people from outside, and And if you can’t have fun wealth of knowledge with moved into managing mixing family with running pubs, then you really him which will be invaluable tenanted pubs, of which it business, can be a challenge, have to go and do something to our clients.” has 250, and nine managed but if handled corrected, can else.”

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