South Tyneside-based food manufacturer, retailer and wholesaler named ‘Best UK Family Business, Northern England and the Midlands Region, £5-25m turnover category’
M I Dickson Limited from South Shields, South Tyneside, has been named ‘Best UK Family Business, Northern England and the Midlands Region’, in the £5-25m turnover category of the Coutts Prize for Family Business 2009/10. The company will now go on to compete in the £5-25m category at the national finals to be held in central London on 8 June 2010.
The awards, now in their fifth year, represent the only regional programme in England and Wales celebrating the overall best-performing medium-sized and large family businesses within three regions: Northern England & the Midlands; London & Greater London; and Southern England & Wales. Within the three regions, there are two turnover categories: medium (£5-25m) and large (£25m+).
M I Dickson Limited is one of the North East’s leading meat companies, manufacturing, retailing and wholesaling meat and food products from a purpose built production factory and 20 retail outlets. Having grown from a single pork shop in 1953, M I Dickson is now run by the second and third generation of the Dickson family. The Group has a loyal customer base, most notably for their famous pies and legendary sausages.
Andrew Wates, Regional Chair of the evaluation committee commented:
As a successful second and third generation family business, the things that impressed the evaluation committee about MI Dickson included:
Juliette Johnson, Head of UK Family Business, Coutts & Co added "We're delighted to provide recognition to this special family business and showcase their achievements for the benefit of other family businesses. What really shines through is the strength of the family's values and culture that runs right through this business which influence how and why things get done and acts as a real competitive advantage"
With the current economic downturn, businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to survive, which therefore increases the value of recognising these family businesses and their work. The companies that scored most highly were the ones that were able to give examples of what they had achieved.
Mark Evans, Head of Coutts institute, Coutts & Co, commented: "Success factors that can help family businesses adapt to the current economic downturn are at the heart of the fifth Coutts Prize for Family Business. It will be equally important to take active steps to manage the family as well as the business to survive the current recession."
Elena Dickson, product development and marketing manager at Dicksons and third generation member of the Dickson family said: "We are all absolutely delighted to receive this award. Although the success of the business is down to the hard work of the entire team, I am particularly thrilled for my Dad and Aunt Chris who have worked tirelessly for the past 40 years to build the business to where it is today."
"I’m sure my grandparents, although entrepreneurial themselves, would never have imagined that their one pork butchers shop could grow to become the thriving business it is today."
"As the third generation family member working day to day in the business, the pressure is certainly on. Thankfully however, I have some fantastic mentors around me in both my family and other members of our talented team to continue to learn from."
Michael Dickson, managing director and son of the founder commented; "The comments from the panel speak loudly to me - family values do run through the very veins of Dicksons and that affects the way our staff approach their work and the quality of the products and service we offer: this ultimately leads to loyal customers, many of whom are third generation too."
"In such a tough, competitive market place, brands are increasingly looking for a unique selling point and we are fortunate that we can boast tangible "local producer and family" credentials."
"That said, I am delighted that we have been recognised for our ability to diversify and adapt. Our values and heritage will always be an integral part of the business, but we are constantly looking at ways of improving our offering which is why we have a talented team of family and non family members in place to drive the business forward."
"The Family Council that we have in place will also help realise long term family ownership which is good for the company, our employees and our customers."
The Coutts Prize for Family Business 2009/10
The Coutts Prize for Family Business, endorsed by organisations such as the British Chambers of Commerce, Cranfield University and the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners, recognises the best run family businesses in England and Wales. It is the only regional and national awards programme in England and Wales celebrating the overall best-performing medium and large family businesses. The Prize complements Coutts’ successful Family Business Forum that is held throughout the UK.
As part of the process, nominations are reviewed by an independent evaluation committee comprised of family business owners, academics and advisers.
The Coutts Prize recognises firms in two categories – medium (£5-25m) and large (£25m+) that demonstrate a combination of high standards of family and corporate governance; a competitive market position; consistent financial growth; and a track record of charitable giving or involvement in the local community.
Entrants have to be companies or firms headquartered in England or Wales that consider themselves to be a family business, wholly or mainly carrying on a trading activity, and that have been profitable in at least two of the past three years.
More specifically, the independent evaluation committee looks for examples of best practice including;
The independent evaluation committee is overseen by Roger Pedder, who was Chairman between 1993 and 2006 of C&J Clark Ltd (Clark Shoes), one of the UK's largest private family companies. It was established in 1825 and is in its sixth generation. Clarks is the leading shoe retailer and brand in the UK and has significant positions in North American, European and Far Eastern markets. Roger remains Chairman or Non-Executive Director of several private family and private equity backed companies and runs his own company, Fullzone Limited
The evaluation committee for the London and Greater London region includes: Christopher Oughtred, Former Chairman, William Jackson & Son Limited; Professor David Grayson OBE, Director Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility, Cranfield School of Management; Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Senior Lecturer, Entrepreneurship University of Reading Business School; Peter Leach, Peter Leach LLP; Ian Mash, Mediator and Founder, familydr; William Notcutt, Deputy Chairman, Notcutts Limited; Jack Stopforth, Chairman, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Robert Wilson, Chairman, Nelsons.
Renowned cartoonist, Robert Duncan, will create a unique cartoon for each of the winners, to tell their own story. The cartoons are framed by second generation family business John Jones. Silver plaques are made by third generation family business, Piccadilly Jewellers of Birmingham
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For further media information on Coutts contact:
Steve Ainger, Coutts & Co on 0207 753 1255 or e-mail steve.ainger@coutts.com
Notes to Editors
