Step 1 - September 2008
Coutts & Co send out nomination packs to professional advisers

Step 2 - September - October 2008
Professional advisers nominate well-run family businesses by region and turnover

Step 3 - November - December 2008
Ipsos MORI conduct interviews with nominees, prepare evaluation reports

Step 4 - February 2009
Independent Regional Evaluation Committees (family business owners, professional advisers and academics) review evaluation reports, decide regional winners

Step 5 - March 2009
Regional Prize Giving Ceremonies

Step 6 - May 2009
Independent National Evaluation Committee (representatives of regional evaluation committees) interview regional finalists and decide on national winners

Step 7 - June 2009
National Prize Giving Ceremony

Turnover catagories-

£1-5 million
£5-25 million
£25 million +

Regions

London + Greater London
Southern England and Wales, includes South, West and East England
Northern England, includes Yorkshire, The Humber and Midlands.