Talk and cheese from award-winning entrepreneur on her route to the top

At the Family Business Place Annual Conference, London, Judy, of Thirsk-based Shepherds Purse, will join ambassadors from some of the UK’s most successful family businesses.

As well as sharing her story, she will debate issues facing the sector such as succession planning, relationships, conflict and trust.

Judy will offer practical insights into how she built her business from the farmhouse kitchen table to supplying major multiples with her traditionally handmade cheeses. She said: “I am very proud to be invited to speak at this very important conference and to share my own experiences of creating and building a strong family business.

“With 30 per cent of UK GDP coming from family businesses, it’s fantastic to see the sector given a platform to showcase its contribution.

“Given the current economic climate the advantages of being a family business are more apparent than ever. Strong values, brand legacy and clear leadership are qualities that continue to differentiate family firms from their non-family counterparts and research has proven that family businesses are better placed to ride out the economic uncertainty.”

Along with Judy, the conference will host speakers Ross Warburton, of Warburtons, the new chairman of the Institute of Family Business; June Kenton, of bespoke underwear company Rigby & Pellar, and Paul Kelly of Kellys Turkeys, a family business supplying award-winning turkeys to the likes of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

The conference will also host a panel of businesswomen who will discuss what it means to be a woman in a family business, including Elizabeth Sieff, whose great, great grandfather founded Marks & Spencer. The team at the Family Business Place will announce the winners of the second Red Ribbon Family Business Awards.

Family Business Place is developed to provide family businesses with access to information and resources that can assist with issues faced on a daily basis.