Coutts Prize for Family Business 2007/8 – Regional Winner

Fuller, Smith and Turner Plc
Winner Best Family Business
Turnover Category £25m+ London and Greater London

Fuller, Smith and Turner based in Chiswick has been named ‘Best UK Family Business, London and Greater London Region’, in the £25m+ turnover category of the Coutts Prize for Family Business 2007/8. The company will now go on to compete in the £25M+ category at the national finals to be held in central London on Thursday 5 June 2008.

Formed in 1845, Fuller Smith & Turner Plc is London’s last remaining traditional family brewer and pub owner. With an estate of more than 300 pubs across London and the South of England, they are producers of a range of award-winning beers. Fuller Smith & Turner Plc continues to produce strong financial results and good returns for shareholders.

Jonathan Hagger, Regional Chairman of the evaluation committee commented:
“As a successful fourth, fifth and sixth generation family business, the things that impressed the evaluation committee about Fuller Smith & Turner Plc included

  • The long term success and sustainability of the business over 160 years of family ownership and the family’s pride in their role as custodians and stewards of this legacy;
  • The strong financial and operational performance of the business and their ability to build a strong and innovative brand in a complex market;
  • Their well developed family governance structure which includes board representation, biennial site visits, regular family shareholder meetings and clear family retirement policies;
  • The well established business governance structure evidenced by the active use of non-executive directors and key non-family professionals; and
  • Substantial donations to charity of over £1.8 million per year, supporting a wide range of community activities.”