Last night, MI Dickson Limited from South Shields, South Tyneside, was named ‘Best UK Family Business’ in the £5-25m turnover category of the Coutts Prize for Family Business 2009/10. The company beat off stiff competition at the national finals held at Coutts’ head office on the Strand in London.
From Left to Right: Daniela Parkinson, Neil Parkinson, Marisa Dickson, Matthew Dickson,
Elena Dickson, Michael Dickson Jnr, Michael Morley, Michael Dickson, Edward Bagnell, Christine Dickson, Henri Ramser, Dorothy Ramser
MI 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, MI Dickson is now run by the second and third generations of the Dickson family. The company has a loyal customer base, most notably for their famous pies and legendary sausages.
Roger Pedder, National Chairman 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 and all its branding; 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.
Michael Dickson, Managing Director at MI Dickson said: "The business has evolved over the years to meet the changing expectations of our growing customer base. Family values are fundamental to a business model which succeeds thanks to the energy, commitment and professionalism of our loyal staff."
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 of C&J Clark Limited (Clarks Shoes), one of the UK's largest private family companies, from 1993-2006. 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 including, Spa and Salon International.
The evaluation committee includes: National Chairman Roger Pedder, Former Chairman C & J Clark Limited (Clarks shoes) and National Committee Members: Tony Bogod, Cordian Partners; Neill Brodey, Managing Director, Norbar Torque Tools Ltd; Gerard Cooper, Joint Managing Director, Allcooper Security and Fire; Andrew Drake, Consultant, Pemberton Greenish; Sam Gilpin, Senior Consultant, YSC; Jonathan Hagger, Non-Executive Chairman, Realty Insurances; David Johnson, Director, Leaders Matter; Peter Leach, Peter Leach LLP; Ian Marsh, Mediator and Founder, familydr; Edward Nicholson, Managing Partner, Mercator Partnership; Christopher Oughtred, Former Chairman, William Jackson & Son Limited; Chris Swaffin-Smith, Principal, Family Business Reflections, Andrew Wates, Director, Wates Family Holdings and Robert Wilson, Chairman, Nelsons.
The National Winners are invited to choose one of the following Prizes:
Read more about the Coutts Prize for Family Prize
For further media information on Coutts contact: Steve Ainger, PR Manager, Coutts & Co on 020 7753 1255 or e-mail steve.ainger@coutts.com
Notes to Editors
