Coutts launches Nationwide search for best Family Business

Coutts & Co embarks on its search to identify contenders for the Coutts Prize for Family Business 2007/8. The awards, now in their third year, represent the only regional programme in England and Wales celebrating the overall best performing small, medium-sized and large family businesses.

Mark Evans, Head of Family Business, Coutts & Co, commented. “Up to 75% of businesses in the UK are family owned and they touch our lives every day - from finance to food, hospitals to house builders, and technology to travel. Following the tremendous success of the last two years, families have another opportunity to show just how proud they are of their family firms. If you think that there’s something special about your family business, or a family business you know, then drop us a line to receive a nomination pack.”

The Coutts Prize, endorsed by organisations such as the British Chambers of Commerce, Cranfield University, The Financial Mail on Sunday, Ipsos MORI, and the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners recognises firms in three categories (£1m-5m, £5m-£25m, £25m+) that demonstrate a combination of high standards of family governance and corporate governance, a competitive market position and consistent financial growth, and a track record of charitable giving or involvement in the local community. Entrants must be companies or firms where two or more family members together have control of over 25% of the voting shares and consider themselves as a family business.

More specifically, the independent evaluation committee judging the Prize will be looking for examples of best practice, such as the successful integration of non-family executives, good practice in educating family members entering the business, examples of challenges that businesses have faced and overcome, and an understanding of the business’s approach to strategic giving.

“Family businesses account for a large share of UK GDP and employment yet even today, much of their work goes largely unrecognised by society and they get very little help with tackling the unique challenges they face in areas such as business succession.” Mark continued. “With a 300 year history of working with family businesses, we have a special understanding of the enormous contribution family firms make to both the economy and society, as well as the specific challenges they face.”

The Coutts Prize for Family Business recognises the best run family businesses in England and Wales, and compliments Coutts successful Family Business Forum that is held throughout the UK.

Last years winners were healthcare provider, Active Assistance (£1-5m), merger and acquisitions company, BCMS Corporate (£5-25m) and construction and property development company, Wates Group (£25m+).

NOMINATION PACKS FOR THE ‘COUTTS 07/08 PRIZE FOR FAMILY BUSINESS’ WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN 1 SEPTEMBER & 31 OCTOBER 2007

TO RESERVE A PACK EMAIL:
ROBERT.JACOB@COUTTS.COM OR CALL 0207 649 4046

For further media information on Coutts contact:

Jo Thorne, Regional PR Manager, Coutts & Co on 0207 957 2650 or mobile 0776 6070 859

or e-mail joanna.thorne@coutts.com

Notes to Editors

·Coutts is the international private banking arm of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group. The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is one of the world's largest banking groups.

·Coutts manages the wealth of 100,000 high net worth clients worldwide through a network of over 40 offices globally.

·The first Coutts regional office to be opened was Eton in 1961. Today, Coutts has regional offices in Bath, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Chelmsford, Eton, Guildford, Hampshire, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford and Tunbridge Wells.

·Coutts offers clients a range of products and services covering sophisticated investment products together with expertise in trust and fiduciary services and UK tax and banking services.

·Coutts & Co is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Coutts & Co Registered in England No 36695Registered Office 440 Strand London WC2R 0QS.

·Calls may be recorded.

www.coutts.com