Family firms across Yorkshire are the very heart of the nation and as a family firm ourselves we are delighted to be taking part in Yorkshire Family Business Day 2023.
Family firms come in all sizes and sectors and many have been around for hundreds of years, successfully passing from generation to generation. Family firms can be found across the length and breadth of the country, and they are the fabric of the communities in which they operate, providing jobs, and income, creating wealth and supporting communities.
As a sector, family firms really are the engine room of the Yorkshire economy with around 400,000 family firms providing around 1 million jobs making the family business sector a force to be reckoned with and one that deserves to be recognised. We are proud to be a family business and our parent group the John Good Group has been in operation since 1833!
Organised annually by Family Business United, the award-winning magazine and resource centre for family firms, the event is now in its eighth year and continues to grow year after year. As Paul Andrews, founder of Family Business United explains, “This is a real day to celebrate the family business sector, businesses at the very heart of the county and across all sectors of the economy too. Every part of life on a daily business is supported by family firms from the food and drink we consume, to the places we visit, the hotels we stay in, the homes we live in and the products and services that we use such as cars, hospitals and gyms. This diverse sector deserves to be recognised and Yorkshire Family Business Day is a great way to put the sector on the map.”
“As well as household names like Bettys, Arco, Econ Engineering, Bagnalls, JCT600, Harrison Spinks and William Jackson Food Group to name a few, there are thousands of other family firms across Yorkshire that make a real difference each and every day. The past couple of years have been far from easy but family firms across Yorkshire have shown their strength and resilience, adapting to the constantly changing circumstances, finding new ways of working supported with determination, entrepreneurial spirit and a good helping of real Yorkshire grit!”
As Paul continues, “Family firms have a story to tell, a real narrative borne out of families working in business together, creating a legacy that will hopefully endure for generations. It is this that makes family businesses special along with the underlying values such as passion, drive, integrity and desire to do the right thing time and time again. It may not have been the easiest of years but a day focusing on the family business sector will provide a great opportunity to show our support for the sector.”
John Good Group CEO Adam Walsh supports the day, “At John Good Group, we believe in the power of family-run businesses. They embody the values of hard work, dedication, and a commitment to making a positive impact on both their colleagues and communities. That’s why we consider Yorkshire Family Business Day to be an essential date in our calendar. It provides a platform for these companies to shine and be recognised for their contributions to the world. We are proud to be a part of this vibrant and supportive community, and we look forward to continuing our work together for years to come.”
As Paul concludes, “FBU is all about the family business sector and it is a real privilege to champion family firms each and every day. Family firms are special, they are the backbone of the Yorkshire economy and will be for generations to come and we look forward to showcasing the diversity of the sector on Yorkshire Family Business Day this year. Family firms across Yorkshire deserve all the support and recognition that a day like Yorkshire Family Business Day brings.”
