Request for Proposals: Family Business Sector Report Series 2026–27 and 2028-29

Written By Martin Kemp

The Family Business Research Foundation (FBRF) (charity no. 1134085) is seeking proposals from qualified research organisations or individuals to deliver our family business sector report series across the 2026–27 and 2028–29 reporting cycles. Since 2008, the FBRF has published sector reports examining the size, structure and economic contribution of family businesses in the UK. Since 2014, these reports have been published regularly and have become an important source of evidence on the role of family firms in the UK economy.

The FBRF’s latest Family Business Sector Report estimated that family firms in the UK generate around £2.8 trillion in turnover, £985 billion in gross value added (GVA), and support approximately 15.8 million jobs (Cebr and FBRF, 2025). This underlines the scale and importance of the family business sector to the UK economy and the need for regular, robust updates to the evidence base.

The UK Government’s Longitudinal Small Business Survey (LSBS) is the principal source of data for analysing the prevalence and characteristics of family-owned firms. It provides nationally representative data on SME ownership, management, performance and behaviour (DBT, 2025a; DBT, 2025b). The LSBS defines a family-owned business as one where a majority of owners are from the same family and collects information on whether the family is actively involved in management (DBT, 2025c).

The FBRF now wishes to commission a new phase of work that sustains the core sector report series across two reporting cycles: 2026–27 and 2028–29. The commission should focus on updating the core evidence base on the size, structure, characteristics and economic contribution of the UK family business sector.

Purpose and structure of this RFP

This Request for Proposals (RFP) covers the FBRF’s family business sector report for two reporting cycles, with a break clause between cycle 1 and cycle 2. The first cycle will produce the 2026–27 core sector report. The second cycle will produce the 2028–29 core sector report, subject to budget, data availability and satisfactory delivery of cycle 1. Applicants should provide a proposal capable of maintaining methodological consistency between the two cycles while allowing for appropriate refinements as new data become available.

Overall objectives

The purpose of the project is to produce policy-facing core sector reports for the two reporting cycles (2026–27 and 2028–29) which provide robust, up-to-date evidence on the size, structure, economic contribution and social significance of the UK family business sector in a concise and policy-facing format.

The reports should address the following questions:

  • How large is the family business sector in the UK? What is the prevalence of family firms, and how does this vary by firm size, sector and region?

  • What are the key characteristics of family businesses, and how do they differ from non-family firms?

  • What contribution does the family business sector make to the UK economy in terms of employment, turnover, GVA and Total Tax Contribution (TTC)?

  • How have the demographic profile and estimated economic contribution of the family business sector changed between reporting cycles?

The analysis should use the European Commission (EC, 2009) definition of a family business and draw on multiple sources of data, including:

  • The Longitudinal Small Business Survey (LSBS).

  • Evidence from other UK business surveys where family firms are identified.

  • Administrative and official data (ONS, HMRC and other relevant sources).

  • FBRF research and analysis.

  • Economic, business and policy research.

Estimates of the tax contribution of family firms should draw, where appropriate, on the FBRF and PwC’s 2023 report on the Total Tax Contribution of family businesses in the UK. See: https://www.fbrf.org.uk/reports/total-tax-contribution-of-uk-family-businesses

Outputs and deliverables

  • Core sector report for 2026–27.

  • Core sector report for 2028–29, subject to the break clause and confirmation after cycle 1.

  • Short summary briefing for each core report, including clear charts, infographics and accessible explanations suitable for policymakers, family business owners, advisers and practitioners.

  • Presentation of findings from each core report at the FBRF annual research conference, launch event or webinar.

The core sector reports should be concise, clearly written and policy-facing. As a guide, the FBRF would normally expect a main report in the region of 30–40 pages plus appendices, unless a different format is justified.

The summary briefing should be a short, accessible, findings-led output for business and policy audiences. It should avoid unnecessary technical detail, explain why the findings matter, and draw out practical implications for policymakers, family businesses, advisers and practitioners.

The appointed research provider will be expected to work with the FBRF to support the dissemination and communication of the findings to stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners, researchers and the media.

The FBRF has its own in-house style guide, to which all FBRF outputs should conform: https://www.fbrf.org.uk/style-guide

Indicative timetable

Applicants should provide a detailed timetable for the work. The timetable should reflect likely LSBS data-release timings and any dependencies relating to access to microdata or official statistics.

The FBRF anticipates that the first reporting cycle will be commissioned in 2026 for delivery in 2026–27. Cycle 2 is a planned second phase for 2028–29, subject to budget, data availability and satisfactory delivery of cycle 1.

Applicants should explain how they would maintain methodological consistency between cycles to ensure changes over time can be meaningfully identified, while also allowing for refinements in light of new data and methodological learning from the first cycle.

Break clause and continuation to cycle 2

Cycle 2 is a planned second phase rather than a guaranteed commitment. Any continuation to the 2028–29 cycle will be subject to budget, data availability and satisfactory delivery of Cycle 1.

The FBRF reserves the right not to proceed to cycle 2, or to confirm cycle 2 subject to agreed refinements to scope, timetable and budget in light of cycle 1 delivery and the data then available.

Proposal requirements

Interested applicants should submit a technical proposal and a separate financial proposal. No price information should be included in the technical proposal.

The technical proposal should normally be no more than 1,500 words, excluding CVs, examples of relevant outputs, references and annexes, and include the following information:

  • Understanding of the brief and the proposed approach to the two reporting cycles.

  • Research questions and objectives.

  • Methodology, design, data sources and analytical approach.

  • Approach to outputs and writing, including how the applicant will ensure that the main report and briefing are clear, concise and suitable for policy, business and practitioner audiences.

  • Project management, timetable and milestones.

  • Dissemination and communications.

  • Project team, roles, responsibilities and relevant experience, including economic impact analysis, secondary analysis of business survey data and business/policy-facing report writing.

  • Named lead author(s), report writer(s) and senior reviewer(s), with evidence of relevant writing and publication experience. See “Use of AI and authorship of outputs” below.

  • Statement on any proposed use of AI or AI-assisted tools. See “Use of AI and authorship of outputs” below.

  • Identification of any risks, dependencies and how these would be managed, including data-access

Use of AI and authorship of outputs

Applicants must identify the named lead author(s), report writer(s) and senior reviewer(s) for the main report and summary briefing. Proposals should include evidence of their experience in writing and publishing high-quality analytical or research reports for policy, business and practitioner audiences, including examples of relevant outputs authored or substantially written by the proposed lead writer(s). The FBRF expects the named writer(s) and senior reviewer(s) to remain substantively involved throughout drafting, review and finalisation.

Applicants must also explain any proposed use of AI or AI-assisted tools in the project, including whether and how such tools would be used in analysis, coding, literature searching, drafting, editing, chart production, quality assurance or other tasks. Applicants should identify the tools or types of tools they expect to use. AI-assisted tools must not be used as a substitute for expert research judgement, statistical competence, careful source-checking or high-quality report writing. Any AI-assisted analysis, drafting, editing or visualisation must be subject to human verification by the named research team. The appointed provider will remain fully responsible for the accuracy, interpretation, originality and quality of all outputs.

Definition of family business

Please note that the FBRF adopts the European definition of family business (EC, 2009). A firm, of any size, is defined as a family business, if

  • the majority of decision-making rights are in the possession of the natural person(s) who established the firm, or in the possession of the natural person(s) who have acquired the share capital of the firm, or in the possession of their spouses, parents, children or children’s direct heirs;

  • the majority of decision-making rights are indirect or direct‍;

  • ‍at least one representative of the family or kin is formally involved in the governance of the firm;

  • ‍and listed companies meet the definition of family enterprise if the person who established or acquired the firm (share capital) or their families or descendants possess 25 per cent of the decision-making rights mandated by their share capital.

Budget and pricing instructions

The financial proposal should include a detailed budget with a breakdown of staff time, expenses and other project-related costs. The budget should identify the staff time allocated to analysis, report writing, senior review/quality assurance, briefing production and dissemination. Note that the FBRF is a charity and therefore does not cover indirect costs.

Applicants should provide separate prices for:

  • Cycle 1: core sector report and associated outputs for 2026–27.

  • Cycle 2: core sector report and associated outputs for 2028–29, subject to the break clause.

The financial proposal should identify any combined price efficiencies or discounts if both cycles are commissioned, and should state any assumptions underpinning the pricing, including assumptions about data access, review rounds and whether the cycle 2 price is conditional on activation of the break clause after cycle 1.

Evaluation criteria

Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:

  • Understanding of the brief and alignment with the project objectives.

  • Quality of the methodology: robustness and appropriateness of the research design and methods.

  • Relevant experience and expertise of the project team to deliver the project.

  • Quality of proposed writing and outputs: evidence that the applicant can produce clear, polished, accurate and policy-facing research reports and short briefings for business and policy audiences.

  • Transparency and governance of AI use: clarity on any proposed use of AI or AI-assisted tools, including safeguards for confidentiality, data protection, accuracy, source-checking and human review.

  • Feasibility of the work plan, timetable and risk management.

  • Impact and dissemination: quality of proposed outputs and approach to dissemination and engagement.

  • Value for money.

Submission details and contact

Interested applicants should submit proposals by email to: info@fbrf.org.uk

Deadline for submission: Friday 7th August 2026

Any questions about this RFP should be sent to the same address.

The FBRF may shortlist applicants and, if required, invite shortlisted applicants to discuss their proposals before a final decision is made.

Sources

Cebr and Family Business Research Foundation (2025) State of the Nation: UK Family Business Sector 2023/24. London: FBRF. Available at: https://www.fbrf.org.uk/reports/state-of-the-nation-23

Department for Business and Trade (DBT) (2025a) Longitudinal Small Business Survey 2024: SME employers. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/small-business-survey-2024-businesses-with-employees

Department for Business and Trade (DBT) (2025b) Small Business Survey 2024: methodology. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/small-business-survey-2024-methodology

Department for Business and Trade (DBT) (2025c) Small Business Survey 2024: panel report. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/small-business-survey-2024-panel-report

Department for Business and Trade (DBT) (2025d) Small Business Survey 2024: data tables. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/small-business-survey-2024-businesses-with-employees

European Commission (2009) Overview of family-business-relevant issues: research, networks, policy measures and existing studies: final report of the Expert Group. Brussels: European Commission. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/10388/attachments/1/translations/en/renditions/native

Kemp, M. (2026) Family SMEs in the UK: Latest findings from the Small Business Survey 2024. Available at: https://www.fbrf.org.uk/familysmes-2024

PwC and Family Business Research Foundation (2023) Total Tax Contribution of UK Family Businesses. London: Family Business Research Foundation. Available at: https://www.fbrf.org.uk/reports/total-tax-contribution-of-uk-family-businesses

Martin Kemp https://www.fbrf.org.uk