Succession in family firms has always been a delicate balancing act. It is not just about passing on ownership; it is about continuity of vision, preservation of legacy, and the well-being of employees, customers, and communities.

This article by Martin Kemp of the Family Business Research Foundation explores the role of family-owned businesses in advancing the social dimension of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policy and practice. It argues that family firms—due to their long-term orientation, rootedness in place, and employee-centric culture—represent a key driver of social value in the UK economy.

The application of the Wates Principles can provide guidance to help large private businesses to keep their governance on track. This article discusses some of the learning a Family Business Research Foundation report that examined the adoption of the Wates Principles by UK family businesses, revealing key differences between family and non-family firms in corporate governance practices.

This article by Jenny Herrera, CEO of the Good Business Charter (GBC), and academics from the University of York discusses the relevance of the GBC to family firms. The article draws on findings from a new insight report (Tracking Success for the Good Business Charter (GBC): Developing an Effective Approach) which assesses how the GBC compares with emerging ESG standards and more established frameworks designed to support sustainable business practices.

This article discusses a new project which is using data from the UK Government’s Management and Wellbeing Practices Survey to study employer practices and policies among family-owned firms in Britain. The project builds on an earlier study by the Research Foundation published in 2013 (Family Business People Capital) which looked at human resource practices in family-run businesses.

Martin Kemp from the Family Business Research Foundation discusses findings from a study by STEP Project Global Consortium(SPGC) and KPMG Private Enterprise on legacy in family businesses. The SPGC/KPMG report identifies the main dimensions of legacy in family firms, and develops the idea of the ‘legacy paradox’. The article draws out some of the implications of the study for family business owners and practitioners, as well as for research in the field.

This article by Prof. Mat Hughes, University of Leicester, summarizes some early findings from a Family Business Research Foundation study looking at Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices in UK family firms.

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This article discusses ESG in family firms and introduces new research to understand the challenges that family firms may experience in integrating ESG priorities into their operations and activities and how these challenges can be addressed. The article highlights the need for new guidance on ESG specifically tailored to the needs and priorities of family-run businesses of all sizes.

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Fiona Geng and Martin Kemp of the Family Business Research Foundation discuss models and approaches to governance of the family enterprise, drawing on evidence from research by the Foundation on governance practices in family firms.

This article discusses findings from a study by the Family Business Research Foundation and PwC that sought to estimate the total tax contribution of UK family business sector to the public finances.

In 2019-20, the Family Business Research Foundation worked with researchers from the Universities of Birmingham and York to carry out an in-depth study of the how family businesses in the UK engage with their diverse communities. This article discusses some of the main learning points from this research.

A new report by the Research Foundation, The State of the Nation: The UK Family Business Sector 2019–20, provides fresh evidence on the UK family business sector.

Recent research on centennial business families shows how family values drive sustainability through philanthropy, impact investing, and CSR. Author Dr. Dennis Jaffe shares insights from his new research.

This article by Yvonne Kiely, Dublin City University, discusses some of the insights from research on long-term thinking in family business.