Family business owners from across the North West will gather to share their family business journeys and experiences at a conference event next month in South Cumbria.
The Family Business MidiCon – North West will take place at The Crooklands Hotel near Kendal on Thursday October 6, bringing together likeminded family business leaders and those that support the sector.
Organised and hosted by The Family Business Community, the MidiCon will feature a series of engaging family business interviews, a parliamentary family business update from MP for Carlisle – John Stevenson, plus interactive sessions on topical family business issues as well as networking time.
Sue Howorth, co-director of The Family Business Community said: “We’re really looking forward to holding our second North West MidiCon event this autumn. Our regional events are a great chance for family business leaders to meet and learn from one another in a relaxed environment.
“We know that many family business owners have common goals and challenges. Sharing these real-life experiences can really resonate with peers and often it can lead to some significant impact on their role within the business or even their future business strategy.”
The speaker line-up includes five family businesses from across the North West, including the managing director of Liverpool-based firm Algeos, Max Sheridan, Rachael Baker, managing director of JJ Smith Woodworking, William Whitaker – fourth-generation of Whitakers Chocolates, siblings Matthew and Laura Farrall, of Farrall’s Group in Cheshire, and two generations of the Doherty family who own The Plastic Bottles Company in Ulverston.
Some of the key topics on the agenda will include succession planning, the journey and transition into leadership for new generation successors, stepping away from tradition and the importance of a strong brand and vision.
Julie and Olivia Doherty, of The Plastic Bottles Company, will be talking about their journey. The business began on eBay selling spare plastic bottles; now it is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of plastic bottles, jars and caps with a worldwide client base.
Julie said: “Myself and my daughter, Olivia are looking forward to sharing our family business story and experiences with a like-minded group at the MidiCon. Like all family businesses, having a good work/life balance is important to us but letting go of the reins can be difficult. We hope to share our experiences of succession planning and bringing in non-family leadership, which has enabled us to drive the business forward.”
The Family Business MidiCon – North West, supported by Marsh Commercial and Cumbria LEP, will run from 10am to 3pm on Thursday October 6 at Crooklands Hotel, Crooklands, near Kendal.
