The third annual family business conference, which is to be held at the Castle Green in Kendal on 11th October, will welcome an astonishing nineteen family businesses to the stage throughout the day.

The Family Business Conference was founded in 2016 by Sue Howorth of The Family Business Network Ltd to address topical issues and the unique challenges that family businesses face.  Previous years have welcomed speakers such as William Robinson of 180 year old Robinson’s Brewery. William Robinson shared his very personal family business story which started from just one pub in Stockport to become one of the biggest and most well-respected breweries in the North West, even working with Iron Maiden on their Trooper beer.

Sue Howorth discussed the outline for the day; “The most important thing for the event is first to create a safe and friendly environment where family business owners feel relaxed and confident enough to share their stories.

“Whilst every family business is different, they often experience similar problems along the way and it’s this exchanging of knowledge and ideas that attendees and speakers find so valuable. The businesses who are speaking at October’s conference have been through both some of the very typical and more unusual family business challenges and are at differing points in their family business journey.

“The agenda is jam packed and by contrasting new and old, smaller and larger family businesses there is an extremely interesting narrative that attendees will both enjoy and learn from. There were some real spine-tingling moments last year, and in truth it’s an honour to hear from these family business owners as they share the reality of what it means to work with people you love.”

The nineteen contributing family businesses which include national companies alongside regional firms are:

• Cedar Manor
• Country Puddings
• Denys Shortt OBE of DCS Global
• Grasmere Gingerbread
• Heart of the Lakes
• James Cropper PLC
• Lakeland
• Out of Eden
• PHX Training
• Pioneer Foods
• Roland Hill
• Story (Homes and Contracting)
• Thomas Graham
• Westmorland Sheepskin
• John W Laycock
• Dunsters Farm Ltd
• Westmorland Family
• Thomas Jardine & Co
• Stalkers Transport

In addition to the nineteen family businesses, there are also a wide range of family business experts and supporters that will add their insight to the day. It is expected that over one hundred family businesses will converge in Kendal on 11th October.  Tickets are still available and cost £45 plus VAT. For more information please visit www.fambiznet.co.uk