Family businesses from across Lancashire’s tourism sector addressed the challenges they each face at an event hosted by Lancaster University Management School (LUMS).

Members of the Marketing Lancashire network joined experts from the Centre for Family Business (CFB) in LUMS to learn more about the issues all family firms must tackle – from succession planning to hidden fears of their leaders.

Ice cream makers, restaurants, farms, and holiday retreats were all represented. Each business, young or old, is run by a family, and they benefitted from the insights of CFB Director Dr Allan Discua Cruz, Dr Andreas Strobl and Brian Gregory, who have worked with family firms from the UK, Austria, Honduras and beyond on the concerns and opportunities they encounter.

In addition, Ian Steel, of Atkinsons Coffee Roasters in Lancaster, who is also an Entrepreneur in Residence in LUMS, spoke to the audience about his journey as the owner of a near-200-year-old company.

There was a chance too for participants to discuss their own situations, and for the CFB to explain how they might be able to collaborate.

“Being able to speak with these family firms who work across a range of areas in Lancashire’s tourism sector was a wonderful opportunity,” said Dr Discua Cruz. “It was fascinating to hear the experiences that were shared by the participants, along with their questions and reflections.

“Many of them were able to see similarities between their own experiences and those of their peers, as well as drawing comparisons with the research we have carried out in the Centre. I look forward to the opportunity for future collaboration, and hope we can work together for mutual benefit.”

Vikki Harris, Director of Marketing of Partnerships at Marketing Lancashire said: “Family businesses are the backbone of the visitor economy in Lancashire, and the people behind those businesses are what gives Lancashire the reputation as such a friendly place to visit.

“Thank you to Lancaster University for creating an opportunity to bring some of those truly brilliant business brains together, to share their stories of resilience, diversification, family dynamics and success with ourselves and each other. I never fail to be impressed by the calibre of businesses we have here in Lancashire, and the incredible academic minds at Lancaster University Management School.”

LUMS sponsors four categories at Marketing Lancashire’s Lancashire Tourism Awards, including the new Family Owned/Run Business Award, which was co-designed between Marketing Lancashire and the CFB. The School also supports the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award, the Resilience & Innovation Award, and the Ethical Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award – the latter through the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business.