Their father Richard speaks with pride about Katie and Jack’s commitment to their companies while mum Michelle highlights their passion for the culture and values that have been laid down from the beginning of their family business journey.
Richard says: “If they hadn’t taken over from us I think we would have sold it. I don’t think we would have trusted anybody else with it.”
The Low Carbon Energy Company, based in Burnley, is another family business that has embarked on a succession journey.
It was founded 15 years ago by managing director Ged Ennis and his wife Maura, who is financial director.
Now the couple’s son Benedict is set to step up from his commercial director’s role to take over the running of the fast- growing smart energy solutions provider which has a turnover of more than £8m.
Ged says: “We put a plan in place around two-and-a-half years ago and appointed a consultant to act almost as a non-exec director to help ‘depersonalise’ the plan.
“It can be difficult emotionally to get your head round the giving up of responsibility and you have to be sure of the direction of travel.
“We spent a lot of time looking at where we were as a business and then worked really hard to put a team in place that can protect our investment.
“As part of our plan, the consultant worked with Benedict separately from myself and Maura to develop his skills and knowledge to be able to take on the role of MD.
“We are fortunate that we have all agreed on the way forward. Some of the milestones we set have changed but that is normal I think.
“As those passing on the business you have to trust those taking on the responsibility and that is built on asking the difficult questions and being honest about where improvement and support is needed.”
FIRM SOARS ON TYPHOON WORK
The small community of Preesall would seem an unlikely place to find an integral part of the UK aerospace supply chain.
But it is home to A&G Precision and Sons, a family-run business manufacturing complex components for a wide range of sectors, including military and civil aerospace, Formula One and oil and gas.
It is also an important cog in the Eurofighter Typhoon manufacturing supply chain. From its three sites in the area A&G makes around 1,280 parts for the aircraft as part of its relationship with defence giant BAE Systems.
Its commercial director Wayne Richardson says: “The Typhoon is massively important to us. Put simply, the aircraft has helped build this business.”
Companies like A&G provide the expertise that makes Lancashire and the North West the engineering centre of excellence which powers the Typhoon programme.
It delivers the components and the support to BAE Systems’ Lancashire sites in Warton and Samlesbury. A&G,
which has a workforce of around 100, is a third generation family operation.
The wide range it supplies to Typhoon ranges from nuts and sprockets to more complex pieces . Typhoon has enabled A&G to continuously invest in the latest technology, automation and software, ensuring it remains a key supplier for the programme and the wider aerospace industry.
Wayne says: “There is no disputing the importance of Typhoon to us. It has been one of our bedrocks, and there is no doubt it has also opened new doors for us.
“Because of our Typhoon work we are now on the F-35 fighter programme and we are also working on Tempest, the sixth-generation platform that is being developed.”
He adds: “As a business we are important to the local economy. It may be very much a farming community but we have a big presence and feel we are at the heart of the town.
“We always look to spend locally, whether that is using the nearby sandwich shop or ensuring we engage local suppliers.”
MONTHLY RENTALS FROM £299, PLUS £2,750 INITIAL RENTAL*
.
The MINI Electric delivers the same feel-good joy the Hatch is famous for. With a range of 149 miles^
and a Benefit in Kind rate of 2%,
see how the MINI Electric could drive your business.
To book your test drive†
Bowker Blackburn 01254 274333
Bowker Preston 01772 761234 Fuel economy and CO2
to 145 miles.
Figures are for comparison purposes and may not reflect real-life driving results, which depend on a number of factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted (post registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. They were obtained after the battery had been fully charged. The MINI Electric is a battery electric vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. The electric range was determined according to a new test (WLTP). Only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedure.
^
Business users only. Price excludes VAT at 20%. Price shown is for a 36 month Business Contract Hire agreement. Applies for new vehicles ordered between 29/09/2023 and 28/12/2023, registered by 28/03/2024 (subject to availability). At the end of your agreement you must return the vehicle. Excess mileage, vehicle condition and other charges may be payable. Available subject to status to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. The amount of VAT you can reclaim depends on your business VAT status. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. Hire provided by BMW Group Corporate Finance, a trading name of Alphabet (GB) Limited, Alphabet House, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. Bowker Blackburn Limited and Bowker Preston Limited introduce customers to a selected panel of lenders, which includes MINI Financial Services. We receive a fixed commission for introducing you to BMW Financial Services calculated by reference to the vehicle or as a percentage of the amount you borrow. We do not have any discretion to vary the interest rate or APR you pay under your finance agreement. An introduction from us does not amount to independent financial advice. †Test drives subject to applicant status and availability.
Bowker Blackburn Limited and Bowker Preston Limited are credit brokers. *
Bowker Centre or search Bowker MINI. , contact your local
Not applicable. Electric energy consumption (weighted combined): 16.6 to 15.2 miles/kWh. CO2
results for the MINI Electric: Mpg (0/100km): emissions: 0 g/km. Electric range: 134
LANCASHIREBUSINES SV
IEW.CO.UK
53
FAMILY BUSINESS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70
