Creating the next generation of family business: Speakers announced as major family business conference comes to Scotland

There’s a unique chance for Scottish family businesses to network at the major IFB conference, which is taking place in Glasgow this June

Network with family businesses from Scotland and beyond, as a major conference comes to Glasgow

A three-day family business conference featuring some of the biggest household names in industry, and a captivating array of guest speakers, is taking place at the Voco Grand Central in Gordon Street, Glasgow on June 14-16.

Organised by the Institute of Family Business, the IFB National Family Business Conference happens in the UK every year. The 2023 event is coming to Scotland, and guest speakers include those with a distinctly Scottish flavour, including a professor from the University of Glasgow and leading members of the Scottish business community.

The theme of this year’s conference is Creating the Next Generation of Family Business. Through a series of workshops, guest talks, social events and external visits, delegates will be given an insight into thriving family businesses in Scotland, the opportunities that exist, and the tools to counter a range of issues unique to the family business world, including what happens if the next generation don’t want to continue the brand.

Pre-registration is now open: how to make sure your family business is at the heart of Scotland

The full line-up of speakers includes Dr Sally Uren, Dr Jamie Weiner, Amelia Renkert-Thomas, Ian Stewart, Meredith Thomas Straight, Joyce Onuonga, Professor Graeme Roy, Mairi Mickel, Cara Macklin, Dr Jason Wouhra, Juliette Johnson, Mark Glover, Ken McCracken, Nick Mayhew, Hannah Harris, Russ Haworth, Fiona Graham and Neil Davy.

As well as being the chance to listen to their insight on a fascinating range of topics, there’s the chance to network with others facing the unique challenges of working in a medium to large size family firm.

IFB CEO Neil Davy said: “Family businesses have generations of experience in them, sometimes hundreds of years within the one family. They face all the same challenges every business faces, such as how to adapt and innovate, how to grow and how to manage change, but with the added dynamic of working with their own family.

“So whether the issues are around investment, innovation, succession planning, a chance to meet with peers in an informal and confidential setting and to hear from highly respected people talking opening and honestly about the professional problems their family firms has faced is incredibly useful.”

Open to all IFB members and Family businesses from the UK and beyond, the event is sponsored by, amongst others, motoring giant Arnold Clark Group.

The peer networking opportunities go way beyond the programme of events. Neil added: “As well as the conference itself, there are also social events and family business visits. This is an incredible opportunity to meet with firms facing the same opportunities and challenges you are, and to learn from the lived experience of generations.”

To take part you have to pre-register for the event – find more information at www.ifb.org.uk/conference