Family Business UK (FBUK) is a growing body of family businesses working to create a more prosperous and sustainable future for generations to come. It is a not-for-profit organisation advocating for the model of family business and celebrating the positive impact the sector has in the UK.
We recently spoke with our managing director, Andrew Moses, about our membership with FBUK and what it means for us at The Config Team.
“Our membership with FBUK began around 18 months ago. I first found out about it through a lecturer at Lancaster University, where I volunteer as one of its ‘Entrepreneurs in Residence’, and I was eager to join the community. As a first-generation family business owner, I was keen to learn more about family businesses, find out what makes them unique and how they overcome the challenges of staying independent across generations.
“My first FBUK event was its annual conference in June 2023, where I got the opportunity to meet and network with the owners and directors of many family businesses that spanned a very wide spectrum of sectors, sizes and ages. Some of them were centuries old, so I felt a bit of imposter syndrome being amongst them! However, what united us was that we all shared a common passion for keeping our businesses family-owned, caring for our colleagues and creating a positive culture.
“It is really inspiring to me to be surrounded by companies that have stayed family-owned for so long, as it shows me what is possible for us. I think selling a company or seeking external investors often leads to losing the essence of what makes it special in the first place. We cherish what we have built here, and as our 30th birthday approaches we are committed to nurturing it and growing even stronger. FBUK’s vision of protecting the spirit of family businesses aligns strongly with our own values, and I am happy to be part of a community that will support and inspire us as we plan and look ahead to the future.
“What I really value about FBUK is the open and honest sharing of experiences and knowledge in a friendly, non-competitive environment. I have already learned a lot from some brilliant family businesses and the people involved in them, so I look forward to even more learning and inspiration coming from our membership with FBUK in the coming years.”
Read more about FBUK on its website here.