Accountancy firm searching for family firms to take part in business growth pilot

SOUTH PETHERTON, U.K. - May 30, 2013 - PRLog -- Leading South West accountancy firm, Albert Goodman, has announced it is searching for rural family businesses, based in Somerset / Dorset, to take part in a year-long pilot scheme, which aims to boost the rural economy by bringing out the best in family firms.  

Businesses ranging from farming families to funeral directors can apply for an initial business health check with Paul Hake from Albert Goodman. Paul has recently received specialist training at a global business school - the Institute of Management Development (IMD) - in Lausanne, Switzerland,

The IMD training course is part of a year-long Family Business Growth Programme which has been designed to unlock the full potential of family firms and farms within the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) region. It has been part-funded by Defra’s Rural Growth Network – a government initiative designed to boost Devon and Somerset’s rural economy by £40 million.

Participating businesses will work with Albert Goodman’s professional advisors to navigate through the complexities of family business to focus on the sustainability and growth of their companies from one generation to the next. Their progress will be monitored by Dr Matt Lobley, Co-Director of the Centre for Rural Policy Research at the University of Exeter.

Dr Lobley, an expert in rural family business, especially farming family succession, says, “The programme evaluation will involve visiting the family businesses that have received professional advice through the Family Business Growth Programme and we will see whether the advice they have received has had a positive impact on their business.”

Paul Hake, Head of Family Businesses at Albert Goodman, comments, “This scheme is fantastic as it recognises the value of rural family business to our local and regional economy. It also recognises the complexities of running a business in which family values, emotions and generational issues have to be carefully considered alongside profit and growth. It is essential family businesses are supported to ensure they continue to survive and thrive, so please get in touch with us to take part in the programme!”

The Family Business Growth Programme has received funding from the Government’s Rural Growth Network, designed to boost the county’s rural economy by £40million and will be administered by the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership. Commercial organisations involved in this programme are contributing towards the cost of the masterclass and will be expected to provide initial business advice free of charge to family firms on a first come, first served basis. The firms will then be expected to engage with between 40 and 100 firms and businesses - 30 per cent of which are farming businesses.

Albert Goodman has offices across the region including Taunton, Chard, Yeovil, Bridgwater, Weston-super-Mare and Weymouth. For further information, visit www.albertgoodman.co.uk.