Family Business

Irrespective of the success of any business, it takes a dedicated act of will within a family to continue a founder's firm.  For a company like Harveys to have remained independent under seven/eight generations of private family ownership (i.e - for over two hundred years) is very rare.

Some statistics

• Over 60% of the U.K.'s businesses are privately owned enterprises.
• Of those firms that are 25 years old or more, only about one in three make it to a second generation.
• Only one in 20 of those firms in 'generation two' survive independently to a third generation

What can curtail the perpetuity of a family business?

• Some very dynamic business models will inevitably require share issue or floatation. Investment for growth will be welcomed from outside a founder's family. This typically leads to the dissapation of family control over time.
• Family businesses can suffer from unaffordable transfer taxes between generations, making disposal more likely.
• Successful medium sized family businesses risk predatory takeover from larger competitors.
• It can be difficult finding both keen and capable family members to continue a business.
• The aims of a next generation may be to 'sell up' as soon as possible.
• Family disputes and rivalries can end in schism or disposal.
• Sometimes, those descendants who are most enterprising, wish to create their own business elsewhere to avoid being accused of  'being born with a silver spoon in the mouth'.

Family businesses are to be treasured.  They demonstrate freedom, enterprise, traditional values, quality of product and service.  Harveys cannot guarantee its perpetuity, but the Family, Trustees and Board members recognise the high regard in which the company is held and make every effort to prepare the company for successive future generations.

When fellow heritage brewer George Gale and Co was sold in 2005, as always, speculation followed regarding the future of Harveys.  A motion stating "Harveys would not entertain any company acquisition approaches"  was put forward at Harveys' Annual General Meeting.  It was passed with the enthusiastic support of 100% of the shareholders - Harveys is not for sale.