Family firms are foundation of Lancashire economy

Suzanne Carr at Age Concern Central Lancashire, said the sector was a “strong and stable foundation” upon which the local business community was built.

The Institute for Family Business (IFB) reports that family firms generate more than a quarter of gross domestic product to the UK economy, paying £182 billion in tax each year, more than the annual NHS budget.

Age Concern Central Lancashire is sponsoring the Family Business of the Year category at this year’s Be Inspired Business Awards, the BIBAs, and led a judging panel which visited finalists for the category yesterday.

Suzanne said: “It is hard to overstate the value of family businesses to the Lancashire economy and having met the finalists for the BIBAs’ Family Business of the Year prize, they are doing invaluable work.

“You can see a real commitment from the management and workforce of all of these companies which goes beyond profit and loss and looks at business in a different way to those not family-run.

“We are proud to be supporting the BIBAs in its efforts to recognise this crucial sector of the local economy and we wish all the finalists the best of luck.”

Today, the finalists for the Employer of the Year category, sponsored by Preston’s College, will receive a visit to their premises from the awards’ judges.

All finalists have already had face-to-face interviews with judges to make it through to the second round, The BIBAs On Tour, which sees panels visit each finalist to get under the skin of what makes them tick.

All awards will be handed out at a ceremony in The Blackpool Tower on Friday, September 13 .