Natalie and Russ discuss the emotional and more personal side of succession planning – preparing the family. Russ explains how to break down emotional barriers so families can prepare themselves for the next stage of the business and next stage of life.

For the first episode of season 2, Natalie is joined by Alan Frost, Partner in the Consulting division of Mazars and the third and final generation of his own family business. They discuss how essential it is to involve both family and non-family members in designing a general business plan, so the business can thrive.

In the final episode of the series, Natalie is joined by Chris Black, the MD and second generation of award-winning Sound Leisure. The family-owned business based in Leeds are one of only two traditional jukebox manufacturers in the world. Natalie and Chris discuss the every day dynamics of running a family business, the skills needed as well as introducing the next generation into the mix so the business can adapt, thrive and focus on long term growth.

Natalie is joined by fellow Mazars colleagues, Oliver Hoffman (national head of mergers and acquisitions) and Dave Hilton (corporate finance partner specialising in lead advisory and project management) to discuss succession planning and what family businesses need to consider before passing on the company. We delve into what options are available, what to do if you don’t have the right skills within the business, or a next generation to take over and ultimately lead the business in the future. There is no one size fits all approach to succession planning, every family and every business will have different needs, in relation to personal objectives, financial requirements, business legacy and heritage.

In our 6th episode, Natalie is joined by Fiona Proudler, Chief Executive Officer at Yard, a performance marketing and technology agency for brands looking to challenge and create change in their markets. Natalie and Fiona discuss how using digital marketing doesn't have to be a daunting process. Instead, businesses can embrace it and learn how to provide the best customer experience, all while holding on to their story and heritage.

Natalie is joined by Louise Frankland, the managing director of Mansfield Pollard, an engineering company based in Bradford that was, until earlier this year, a third-generation family-owned business. Natalie and Louise discuss the challenges and opportunities of transitioning from a family business to a privately-owned business and how to take a business forward when the family name is still above the door, but the family aren’t involved, all while working through a pandemic.

Natalie is joined by Bob Betts, MD of Smiths of Derby (FBU Manufacturing Award winner), Heather Whitworth (5th Generation) and Nick Whitworth (6th generation) Family Business Directors, plus Alan Frost, Consulting Director at Mazars. In this episode, they demonstrate the importance of building a sustainable business, the competitive advantage a family business can bring to the table, the importance of non-family board members, bringing in the next generation and how to adapt and protect your business for the long term.

This week, Jo MacSween, (Vistage Chair and former MD of Macsween, a Scottish Family business) and Alan Frost (Mazars, Consulting Director) join Natalie Wright to discuss how governance can help family businesses in effective decision making and action. And also why working with advisers external to the family business is important so that owners are challenged and can separate themselves from personal/emotional attachments, leading to a greater chance of success.

This week, Natalie Wright is joined by Hannah Barlow, Managing Director, and Tom Mathew, Director, of Dunster’s Farm (FBU 2020 Entrepreneurship Award winners), where they will be discussing how they transitioned from having their own careers to running their family business as the third generation; what they were able to bring to the business and the challenges they faced along the way. We will also discuss the impact of Covid-19 and the transformation that the business has undergone in response to the pandemic.

Natalie Wright, Head of Family Business, Mazars, is joined by Mairi Mickel; founder and owner of Business Families and Paul Andrews, founder and CEO of Family Business United, to discuss the current environment, challenges facing the family business sector and what hot topics family business are talking about right now.