National Family Business Day, celebrated annually on the third Thursday in September, falls on September 19th this year, a day dedicated to recognising the contributions that family-run businesses make to the UK’s economy and communities. Passed down through generations, HMG and family businesses alike embody the core values of heritage, resilience, and innovation within business.
Family businesses form the bedrock of the UK’s economy, accounting for 88% of all private sector firms. Family businesses employ over 12 million British people and contribute billions of pounds to the nation’s GDP. Ranging from small local shops to large, global corporations, family businesses showcase the vast range of entrepreneurial spirit across various industries.
One of the hallmarks of family businesses is their remarkable ability to thrive through economic challenges, societal shifts, and technological advancements. Their resilience is often rooted in a long-term vision, solid values, and deep ties to their communities. Unlike publicly traded companies, family businesses tend to focus on sustainability and legacy rather than short-term profits, ensuring their longevity for future generations.
National Family Business Day provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate these success stories, and at HMG Paints, we take great pride in being part of this tradition. As a fourth generation family business, our dedication to quality, innovation, and family values is at the heart of everything we do.
As the UK continues to navigate the complexities of the modern economic landscape, family businesses remain a pillar of stability and innovation. National Family Business Day is not just a day of celebration, but also a call to action to support and nurture these enterprises, ensuring they continue to thrive for generations to come.
Paul Andrews, CEO of Family Business United, emphasises the day’s significance:
“National Family Business Day is a vital opportunity to shine a light on the remarkable contributions of UK family firms. These businesses are the backbone of our economy and our communities, and their dedication and hard work deserve recognition.”
“We celebrate the resilience and innovation of family businesses, and we are committed to supporting them in navigating their unique challenges. This day is a testament to their enduring legacy and an affirmation of their crucial role in our society and it is a fantastic day to celebrate their impact on the national economy too.”
“We champion and celebrate the family business sector each and every day but the creation of a national day that shines a spotlight on the sector for all to see really does amplify the family business voice across the nation. Family firms really do put the GREAT into Great Britain.”
On this special day, communities across the UK come together to honour family-run enterprises, with social media buzzing under the hashtag #GBFamilyBizDay and various events, including the National Family Business Day Dinner, celebrating the positive impact of these businesses on society.
At HMG, being a family-run business is something we are very proud of. National Family Business Day is a great chance for us to take a step back and really appreciate the journey the company has been on, leading up to our 94th anniversary. We acknowledge the people, customers and community that make us who we are. We’ve always believed in maintaining the company values of being decent, worthwhile and secure. These values have been the foundation of our success and are the reason we’ve been able to keep growing while staying true to who we are. National Family Business Day reminds us why we started and why we continue to do what we do—because at the heart of it all, we’re not just a business, we’re a family. And we’re excited to keep building on that legacy for generations to come.
Find out more about National Family Business Day and the incredible work Family Business United does to champion family businesses at www.familybusinessunited.com.