Organised by Family Business United, these prestigious awards are now a firm fixture in the family business calendar and celebrate the very best of British family firms from all corners of the UK. Awards are given by region, sector and nationally in recognition of qualities such as entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability, community engagement and ultimately one family business is crowned the Supreme Champions.
As Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of Family Business United explains, “As an organisation we champion and celebrate family-owned businesses across the UK, recognising the contribution they make in terms of employment, income generation and wealth creation as well as the impact they have on the communities in which they operate.”
“Since 2012 these awards have grown to become something really special, recognising family firms from all sectors, young and multi-generational family firms alike, large and small but all sharing the same underlying values, pride and passion for what they do and a strong desire to do business the right way. Each of the winners is a great business with a strong narrative and is a great ambassador for the broader family business community too.”
Early in the evening Iain Anderson collected the Scottish Family Business of the Year award for GAP Group before being awarded the ultimate accolade and collecting the Supreme Champion title that has been won previously by the likes of Smith of Derby, St Austell Brewery and Furniture Village.
GAP Group is the market-leading equipment hirer in the UK with almost 200 locations nationwide. The business was founded back in 1969 and they have been recognised as an inspirational family business that has been on an incredible growth journey. They now employ over 2000 people across the UK, have family values embedded within the organisation and a strong, engaged next generation to help drive the next chapter of their journey.
As Derek Hamill, Partner at Gilson Gray who sponsored the Scottish Family Business of the Year award confirms: “GAP Group is an inspirational company that continues to push boundaries. It has a strong family ethos and has shown strong engagement and commitment to the next generation.”
“There are some incredible family businesses across Scotland and there were some strong contenders for this award but GAP Group stood out. They are a fantastic and well-resourced business, have demonstrated great financial performance throughout their history and show a strong commitment to the well-being of all their staff.”
As Stewart Sanderson, title at Brooks Macdonald who sponsored the Supreme Champion award continues: “This is a family business that continues to invest in all aspects of what they do and how they do it.”
“An incredible business. An incredible family. Great family business ambassadors. GAP Group are a worthy winner of the ultimate award and deserve all the accolades that come with winning this title. “
Iain Anderson, joint Managing Director of GAP Group who collected the awards added: "We were delighted to accept the two prestigious awards at the Family Business of the Year Awards 2023 held in London. We have built a business we are extremely proud of, servicing the construction and utility markets and couldn’t have done it without the dedication and commitment from our 2000 employees. We strive to help lead the way with other family businesses in the UK to ensure our sector is acknowledged and supported. Over the next five to six years we will expand the range of equipment we can offer our customers with the aim of doubling our turnover.“
As Paul concludes, “Family businesses are the engine room of the UK economy and these awards celebrate their contribution. It was great to bring the family business community back together in person to recognise the incredible family firms that operate throughout the UK and to crown some fantastic winners.”
“Congratulations to GAP Group on winning this award. It is fantastic recognition of what they do as a business and it was a pleasure to present them with the award at the end of a fantastic evening that once more put the family business sector on the map.”
