MP visits family business as part of week celebrating contribution of sector
MP David Simmonds visited Ruislip Park Stables last week to mark the final day of Family Business Week and celebrate the contribution of the sector.
Mr Simmonds wrote on Twitter: “Great to meet the extended family running Jack’s/ Ruislip Park Stables #FamilyBizWeek where many children get to experience a taste of the country in our lovely suburb.”
The contribution of the UK’s family business sector has been celebrated with the launch of the UK’s first Family Business Week, led by the Institute for Family Business (IFB).
Running from Monday November 22 to Friday November 26, Family Business Week celebrated family businesses across the UK and focused on the role of business as a force for good.
It also highlighted the significant – and often overlooked – contribution that family firms make to the UK economy.
The UK’s five million family firms provide jobs for 14 million people, making them the backbone of the economy and the bedrock of communities across the whole of the UK.
Ahead of the week, family businesses from across the country came forward to share their stories of how they support their people and local communities, while also showcasing the valuable role that family firms have in tackling the climate crisis by making their businesses more sustainable.
As part of the week’s activities, the IFB had co-ordinated a series of visits for MPs to their local family businesses, culminating in Family Business Friday on November 26.
Sir James Wates CBE, chairman of the Institute for Family Businesses (IFB) said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating the immense role that family businesses have played in supporting people and communities and to showcase how family business is a force for good. Values-led, purpose-driven businesses like these are the backbone of our economy, and we need to celebrate and support them – especially after the difficult time they have faced during the pandemic.
“This week of celebration is to also recognise that many of the significant challenges we face – building back better and greener
from the pandemic and levelling up the UK – can only be solved with the help of our nation’s family businesses.”