FBUK Annual Conference Imagine dangling over a snowy precipice on the Matterhorn, leg broken and nothing but a thin climbing rope preventing you from slipping into the abyss. A fictional cliffhanger? No, this was the astonishing story of James Reed CBE, CEO of Reed, the largest family-owned recruitment company in the world opening the Family Business UK Annual Conference in June 2024. James’ life-changing climbing adventure, his rescue by “a multi- lingual angel”, and months spent in rehabilitation changed his philosophy of business, and the purpose and structure of his own. He has since added his weight to the debate about the nature of capitalism, and how the philanthropic model of business (or ‘PhilCo’, as James calls it) can change the nature of how businesses are owned, structured, operate, and contribute to local economies and communities. The introduction on day one, by James Reed, was excellent. It was the perfect start. Excellent opportuntiy to hear other family business’s challenges and succeses both formally and informally.
The energy and buzz in the room was excellent.
It was a fitting way to open what was Family Business UK’s biggest and best Annual Conference yet, focussing on ‘The Faces of Family Business’ and harnessing the power of people. Over two days, Conference covered some of the most challenging aspects of family business: l how to involve, engage, recognise and reward people in the business, both family and non-family l how to approach conversations around ownership transition l how to bring different generations together during times of change and disruption Since its inception in 2001, the FBUK Annual Conference has become the sought-after space and destination for UK family businesses to learn through unparalleled peer-to-peer networking, sharing of experience, and practical advice from some of the most experienced advisers in the industry. The Conference brings together more than 200 family businesses; owners, shareholders, next gens, non-family executives, NEDs and advocates to deepen their collective understanding of what makes family businesses tick and thrive.
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