Martin Rayner, who, along with his brothers, Sam and Julian owns retail giant Lakeland, which specialises in creative kitchenware, will be talking about the ‘Essence of Lakeland’ during a special business masterclass at Lancaster University Management School at 5.30pm on Thursday, July 2.

Mr Rayner, now retired from his day-to-day role within Lakeland’s Buying team after 42 years working full time for the business that his father founded in 1964, will explain how Lakeland grew from selling plastic bags to farmers into the multi-national, multi-channel business it has become today with 69 stores across the UK as well as stores in the Middle East and India.

Professor Ellie Hamilton, Director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development at Lancaster University Management School, said: “Lakeland is a real family business success story and this special event will provide a real insight into how this North West family dealt with issues that face all family firms, such as planning and innovation, to become the international business they are today.”

The event, which is open to owners and managers of North West Family Businesses, also includes a preview session of the new Leadership for Family Business Programme being launched by the Management School in October.

The preview session runs between 4pm and 5.30pm and will be hosted by Jacquie Jackson, Head of Family Business Engagement at Lancaster University Management School.

To find out more about the programme visit www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums/leadershipforfamilybusiness email leadershipforfamilybusiness@lancaster.ac.uk  or call 01524 510703.