Opportunity to celebrate family values at annual business breakfast

This annual event has become a fixture on the calendar for family businesses of all kinds, from small concerns to those with global reach and a long history of achieving success over the course of several generations.

The location for this year’s breakfast meeting will be at the office of Virgin Money in Glasgow on Thursday 28th August, when the focus for discussion will be legacy through the lasting impact that family-run businesses contribute through Environment, Social and Governance.

With their roots firmly anchored in their local communities, businesses like these contribute more than just economics, as was demonstrated during last year’s event when those taking part learned of the importance that Walker’s Shortbread, the Speyside bakery firm which has developed an international profile over the course of four generations, has had on creating jobs, opening up career paths and bringing prosperity to Speyside.

What was also made clear during the same briefing was that all family businesses share similar issues, regardless of size, product or location and that events such The Herald Family Business Breakfast can help to forge ties and share knowledge on how others have successfully overcome similar challenges.

Hugh Lightbody, Chief Officer, Business Gateway, says: “Business Gateway has had the privilege of working with the Herald since they began their focus on this hugely important sector of the Scottish economy. Over the many years of our involvement we’ve seen a number of family businesses of all shapes and sizes. What is common to them all though is their commitment to the world around them and their grasp of the importance of environmental, social and governance principles in all they do. They are the powerhouses of local communities providing employment and improving wellbeing. The ongoing recognition of their importance through the breakfast and The Herald Family Business Awards later this year is testament to their contribution to the Scottish economy.

And David Henderson, head of strategic finance, Virgin Money, says: “Purpose led businesses are increasingly focused on the impact that their operations and activities have on wider stakeholders and on the environment. That is very much the case for family businesses who are seeking to create a legacy which positively impacts not just the owners and successors, but their employees, customers, and the wider communities in which they operate. 

“At Virgin Money our purpose is to deliver fairer, more rewarding relationships and to assist current and future generations to drive progressive outcomes for society. We are delighted to be collaborating with the Herald and our other partners to support this event which will provide a forum to examine and debate the legacy which family businesses can create and to meet other family business owners who are already on that journey.”

Meanwhile Andrew Malcolm, CEO, The Malcolm Group, says: “The Malcolm Group are delighted to be sponsoring the herald Scottish family business breakfast, as a family company with over 100 years existence and 4th generation of family employed in the company.”

News of the event’s keynote speaker and panel will be made soon and in the meantime full details of the event exclusive for family businesses are available from