Bath will be at the centre of the family businesses sector early next month when a major national conference is held in the city.
The event, staged by the Institute for Family Business (IFB), will discuss how to build successful companies across the generations. 
Taking place on June 6 and 7 at the Apex City of Bath Hotel, it will bring together different generations of family business owners, senior managers and leading experts to share successes and challenges and learn together about what it takes to build a positive culture within businesses that are growing and changing every day.
Discounted rates are available for South West family businesses attending the conference.
Speakers include Andy Rubin (chairman of global brand management group Pentland), Dr Pippa Malmgren (author, former adviser to George W. Bush and founder of H Robotics), Martin Thatcher (managing director of Thatchers Cider, based near Weston-super-Mare) and Sir Tim Smit (co-founder of Cornwall’s the Eden Project).
Themes will include:
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How do family business leaders shape culture?
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Is your board’s culture fit for purpose?
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How do you keep the values alive when there is no family in the business?
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How can shareholders work well together across the generations?
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How do you enable a culture of openness and trust?
Pre-conference activities will be held in the afternoon of June 5 and include learning journeys to Clarks in Street, Somerset, Bristol Port and Bath Ales – based between Bath and Bristol – along with interactive workshops and a next-generation dinner. The IFB national conference is only open to members of business families and senior staff.
IFB director general Elizabeth Bagger said: “Our conference is a great opportunity for family businesses to explore the issues that are important to them, sharing experiences and learnings. Whether you are a current owner, a next generation member or a non-family manager, you will challenge long-held beliefs and get fresh ideas that can help you and your family business on the journey to long lasting success.”
