The inaugural National Family Business Day has its first major sponsor in the shape of Close Brothers Assets Management. Set to take place on September 19, the day aims to appreciate the sector that often slips under the radar.

The inaugural National Family Business Day has its first major sponsor in the shape of Close Brothers Assets Management. Set to take place on 19 September, the day aims to appreciate the sector that often slips under the radar.

It has been launched by Family Business United, who had previous success with the initiative in Australia. The day will include a dinner hosted by Penny Lovell, head of client services at CBAM amongst a full programme of high-profile events.

“We work with families in business across the UK and there is a natural affiliation for us with an event such as this.  Recognition is well deserved and in many cases, something that has been earned over many generations, one of the reasons behind the recent launch of our Family Business Club,” Lovell said.

Close Brothers AM’s involvement follows the launch of the Close Brothers Family Business Club last week. This scheme intends to create a community for such enterprises via roadshows and events, as well as a specialised social media outlet on LinkedIn. (See here)

The family business sector is a big player in UK industry. It generates £1.1 trillion ($1.82 trillion) in turnover, almost a quarter of the country’s GDP. It accounts for 3 million firms in the UK and provides 9.2 million jobs.

"The contribution that family firms have made over the years in terms of revenue generation, employment, contribution to GDP and tax revenues, not to mention their support of the communities in which they operate should not go unnoticed and we are keen to continue to champion this cause and celebrate the family business sector,” said Paul Andrews, managing director of Family Business United.

Full details of the programme for the National Family Business Day will be announced in the near future.