Cumbrian family businesses, Nanny Brow and Heart of the Lakes, have been shortlisted for ‘Northern Family Business of the Year’, leading an impressive line-up of companies, many from the Lake District. Amongst them, English Lakes Hotels and the Hawkshead Relish Company are just a few of the 15 shortlisted businesses in contention for the ‘North & Northern Ireland Family Business of the Year Award 2016’.
The ‘Family Business of the Year Awards’ are organised by Family Business United, the award-winning magazine and resource centre that champions and celebrates the family business sector. Now in their fourth year, these awards recognise the diversity, strength and depth of family firms across the UK and seek to highlight the contribution that family firms make to the UK economy. Open to family firms of all generations, sizes and sectors, these awards recognise some outstanding family firms, helping to put family businesses on the map.
The results are to be determined through a combination of a judging panel and an online vote with all shortlisted firms in all regions, eligible for the People’s Choice Award that is determined solely by public vote.
‘Nanny Brow’ is one of the county’s finest Arts & Crafts properties, with fourteen renovated bespoke suites. Acquired in 2009, by current custodian, Susan Robinson, a complete refurbishment was undertaken, involving the sympathetic restoration of the original features, prior to opening to the public in 2011. ‘Nanny Brow’ was awarded a Cumbria Business Environment Network GOLD Award in November 2014 and has retained its 5 gold star AA award for the 2nd year running. In October, hotel manager and family member, Emma Robinson, was nominated for ‘Front of House Manager of the Year’ at the ‘Boutique Hotelier Personal Service Star Awards 2015’.
Now celebrating more than 40 years in business, Heart of the Lakes is renowned as one of the area’s most prolific family businesses and has been, throughout its duration, heavily involved in community and charitable initiatives, winning the ‘Community Involvement’ award at the CN Group Business Awards in October 2014. Not driven by the bottom line, Heart of the Lakes prioritise community, environment and personal service to their customers ahead of profit, attributes that will stand them in good stead for this particular award.
“We are delighted to be able to pull together such a vibrant bunch of family businesses, some that have succeeded for numerous generations and continue to thrive, and others that are relatively young but have great values at the heart of what they do.” said Paul Andrews, Founder and Managing Director of Family Business United, the leading online magazine and resource centre for family firms in the UK.
Sue Coulson, Director of Coulson Associates and sponsors of the award added “Any one of those shortlisted would make worthy winners and ambassadors for the sector. We are looking forward to finding out more about each of them and I am sure that the decisions to determine the winner will not be easy. Previous winners of the award include NBT Group, Potter Logistics and JW Lees Brewery so they are following in the footsteps of some incredible family firms.”
The awards process concludes at a gala reception and awards ceremony that takes place in London at the prestigious Mayfair Hotel in London on June 2nd, where the winners will be crowned.