Family Business Association News & Articles keep up to date on all news.
Jacobsen is a third-generation, New Zealand owned business that has been shaping the flooring industry in Aotearoa since 1962. The Jacobsen Flooring Group isn’t just a family business, but a family of businesses, including Jacobsen, one of New Zealand’s largest flooring suppliers, and Tredsafe, which specialises in flooring safety products such as stair nosings, transitions, and our proprietary stair nosing insert.
The Search Engineers is a second-generation digital marketing agency based in the southeast of Queensland. Since the late 90s, husband and wife Team Sue and Herb, have worked in digital marketing and have a deep, rich experience working with the internet. Caroline, a Nielsen Norman certified UX Specialist in her own right, has now joined the team to expand their expertise and continue the Family legacy.
Winkle Group began with humble beginnings in father Des’s home garage in Morphett Vale. Des, an exceptional joiner, partnered with his friend John to start a business specialising in commercial joinery and small retail fit-outs. As demand increased, they quickly outgrew the garage and moved into a warehouse to expand.
We spoke with Shari Westlake from Cosmostyle to learn more about their family business specialising in custom made Curtains, Blinds, Shutters and Awnings.
Meet Purple Giraffe, a South Australian marketing consultancy that partners with businesses to conceive, plan and implement effective marketing strategies. Established in 2014 by Lynda Schenk, an experienced marketing professional who saw a need for outsourced, flexible, and cost-effective marketing solutions that operate like an in-house marketing resource. Purple Giraffe works with you, one on one, to create marketing and sales programs that are aligned to your business objectives.
Founded in 1999, TPT Group was established by Mike Marr with his wife Terese after he left his comfortable corporate desk job to pursue a business he passionately believed in. TPT Group focuses on the growth and development of a portfolio of entities in key business sectors such as electronic security, information technology, finance & leasing, and commercial-industrial property by providing governance, strategy, systems, and capital to allow the businesses to fulfill their market potential. 25 years on, TPT Group has founded 10 new start-up businesses, acquired 15 others, and founded 2 charities.
Dynamic NDIS provider, Sunrise2Sunrise were the winners of the 2024/25 Established Family Business Award for Victoria and Tasmania. The award was accepted by Ravi Bhatt alongside his wife, Krishna Sevak and their two children, Rhythm Bhatt (11 years) and Jaynil Bhatt (9 years old). Ravi and Krishna sat down with us to share more about the success story of Sunrise2Sunrise since its inception in 2018. The business has grown exponentially since, but the family has never wavered from its dedication to reducing inequality and improving lives in communities they support.
Introducing Promoworks, where creativity meets passion! Owned and operated by Craig and Brenda Oglesby, Promoworks is your go-to company for innovative promotional solutions and professional photography services. With over 17 years of experience in photography, Brenda brings a wealth of knowledge and a keen eye for detail to every project. We spoke with Brenda to learn more about the family business, their passion and their advice for other family businesses.
For 90 years across 4 generations, Charlesworth Nuts has been proudly making and selling fresh nuts, fruits and chocolates in Australia. What began in 1934 as a small nut stall in the Adelaide Central Market has now grown into a family business with 11 retail stores and a warehouse factory. More than ever, they remain absolutely passionate about the quality and freshness of their products. We had a chat with Brett Charlesworth to learn more about their family business, the rich history behind the business, and how they continue to expand their business across Australia every day.
Meet the winner of our Established Family Business Award 2024/25 for Queensland, Queensland Gaskets! Founded in 1953, Queensland Gaskets was established by Quentin Quarterman in a modest worker's cottage on Hope Street, South Brisbane. Recognising a growing need for industrial gaskets amidst the post-war industrial boom in South East Queensland, Quentin established the business with a commitment to quality and customer service – principles that have driven seven decades of growth and innovation. Today, Queensland Gaskets stands as a leading Australian manufacturer of high-quality gaskets, sealing materials and specialised applications supplying to a diverse range of industries, including defence, aerospace, mining, construction, rail, utilities and energy.
We spoke with the family behind Fore Design + Flex Planning (previously known as Beyond Ink). Fore Design is a multi-disciplinary residential and commercial design practice delivering end-to-end solutions for projects spanning a diverse range of sectors, scales and applications. Flex Planning provides specialised, independent planning support toward achieving council approvals for all project sizes and types across South Australia.
We spoke with Wren Spence from Motor Brand Design, a second-generation family business with over 25 years in the creative industry known for our “Refreshingly Upfront” approach to building unstoppable brands, to learn more about the family business.
We spoke with Aimee McLean, CEO, Kate McLean Homecare, to learn more about the family business. Founded in 2002 by Aimee's mother-in-law, Kate, provides in-home care for elderly, convalescing, palliative and post-operative clients throughout Auckland.
We spoke with Sally, Peter and Divinia Eather from Eather Group to learn more about their family business - a transport and earthmoving company based in Western Sydney that has become recognised for providing sustainable solutions to traditional construction issues
We spoke with Pam Bagworth, owner of Academic Group, to learn more about the family business. Since starting in 1986, Academic Group has helped over 100,000 students and worked with many schools to enable students to achieve academic success.
We spoke with Helen Kay from Rise Legal to learn more about her family business with husband, Oliver Kay - a commercial law firm specialising in business sales, franchising, and business protection.
In Ask the Advisor, we put your questions to the experts. Our FBA Family Business Accredited Advisors answer frequently asked questions from family business clients for your benefit. Responses are from trusted professionals who understand the ins and outs of family business. In this Ask the Advisor, Annette Bonnett answers the question "What should we be doing to prepare the next generation to be involved in the leadership of the business?".
In Ask the Advisor, we put your questions to the experts. Our FBA Family Business Accredited Advisors answer frequently asked questions from family business clients for your benefit. Responses are from trusted professionals who understand the ins and outs of family business. In this Ask the Advisor, Kirstin Stewart answers "What is a family office?"
The Jackson Russell team provide a summary of the relevant parts of New Zealand's Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and the key takeaways from the Court’s decision in this landmark conviction and sentence of former CEO.
Brad Scott, Founder and Managing Director of Australia’s first independent Multi-Family Office, EWM Group, discusses the risks involved in not preparing the next generation for the roles and responsibilities that lie ahead in a family business, and the recommended steps to take.
In Ask the Advisor, we put your questions to the experts. Our FBA Family Business Accredited Advisors answer frequently asked questions from family business clients for your benefit. Responses are from trusted professionals who understand the ins and outs of family business. In this Ask the Advisor, Shaun Madders answers “How much is my business worth?” “How do I sell it?”, “Who will buy it – family or someone else?”, and finally, “How much tax will I pay?”.
In Ask the Advisor, we put your questions to the experts. Our FBA Family Business Accredited Advisors answer frequently asked questions from family business clients for your benefit. Responses are from trusted professionals who understand the ins and outs of family business. In this Ask the Advisor, Carolyn Baker answers "How can I pay less tax?"
We spoke with Shari Westlake from Cosmostyle to learn more about their family business specialising in custom made Curtains, Blinds, Shutters and Awnings.
This International Women's Day, we are proud to celebrate the incredible women in family businesses. In this special Q&A article, we bring you the voices of nine extraordinary women in family business from various industries across Australia and New Zealand. They share their experiences, offer advice, and provide insights on how we can empower the next generation of female leaders. Their responses are powerful, offering great advice whether you are an aspiring family business leader, a woman in family business looking for some guidance, or simply interested in learning from their experiences.
Listen to FBA CEO, Catherine Sayer discussing the 2025 Family Business Barometer Survey on the Business Essentials Daily podcast, as well as sharing FBA's advocacy activities to support the family business sector.
Just released: The Family Business Barometer Report 2025 explores the evolving landscape of family businesses, highlighting their vital contribution to the global and national economy, and examining the various factors that influence family businesses' success and sustainability through generations. This latest report explores what's keeping family businesses awake at night, the factors that drive success, barriers to growth, long-term goals and government policy opportunities.
Meet Purple Giraffe, a South Australian marketing consultancy that partners with businesses to conceive, plan and implement effective marketing strategies. Established in 2014 by Lynda Schenk, an experienced marketing professional who saw a need for outsourced, flexible, and cost-effective marketing solutions that operate like an in-house marketing resource. Purple Giraffe works with you, one on one, to create marketing and sales programs that are aligned to your business objectives.
Family businesses are unique. They’re built on a foundation of legacy, relationships & shared purpose. But despite these strengths, many family businesses struggle when it comes time to hand over the reins to the next generation.
ANZ Private’s Chief Investment Office (CIO) recently released their 2025 Global Market Outlook - previewing 2025 and how the CIO is positioning investment portfolios for the period ahead. View a summary of this year’s publication.
Following an extensive review, the Law Association of New Zealand (TLANZ – formerly ADLS) released the revised Deed of Lease – Seventh Edition 2024 (Deed) and Agreement to Lease – Sixth Edition 2024 on 25 November 2024. This is the first time the form of deed of lease has undergone such an extensive review since 2012, and the revised Deed includes a number of amendments which reflect the changes in law and practice over the past 12 years.
Stewardship Asia Centre conducted a research study of 200 successful and enduring family businesses. From their survey responses they distilled the following traits of successful family businesses – Purpose, Community Awareness, Long-Term View, Trustworthiness, Adaptability, Social Responsibility and Care for Employees.
Founded in 1999, TPT Group was established by Mike Marr with his wife Terese after he left his comfortable corporate desk job to pursue a business he passionately believed in. TPT Group focuses on the growth and development of a portfolio of entities in key business sectors such as electronic security, information technology, finance & leasing, and commercial-industrial property by providing governance, strategy, systems, and capital to allow the businesses to fulfill their market potential. 25 years on, TPT Group has founded 10 new start-up businesses, acquired 15 others, and founded 2 charities.
In Ask the Advisor, we put your questions to the experts. Our FBA Family Business Accredited Advisors answer frequently asked questions from family business clients for your benefit. Responses are from trusted professionals who understand the ins and outs of family business. In this Ask the Advisor, Michael Watts answers a FAQ on ESG in family business.
