It Runs In The Family

If you could bottle up the ingredients to entrepreneurship, it’d be best sold in the loving, careful hands of Simon & Gina Duke… The mentality passed down through the Duke family is so key to the success of G&I Spirit Group, a multinational family firm where they still commit to having ‘a little love in every bottle’. Simon & Gina’s journey is utterly fascinating, and the lessons besto...

Dyson, DeLonghi, Kenwood - while the adults play with the real thing, Casdon’s decades-long mission has been inspiring joy through iconic toys. Role-play is such an inspiring part of kids’ childhoods, and at the head of the business bringing these visions to life is 3rd gen Managing Director, Phil Cassidy. Phil joins us on It Runs In The Family for a look behind the licences, the playful family fe...

Wagstaff Watches’ Founder was many things; a countryman, farmer, and to the custodians over 100 years later, a passionate and inspiring watchmaker. Albert Wagstaff’s legacy is one which remains in safe hands, thanks to his grandson and great-grandsons, and it’s a joy to share a glimpse into this fascinating dynamic as we’re joined this week by Peter Foster on It Runs In The Family. This episode co...

When you take charge of your parents’ business, validation comes in many forms - few are quite as strong as winning ‘International Winemaker of the Year’, the first English wine to do so… Despite the heartfelt challenges of the mid-2010s, Ridgeview Wine Estate’s Simon & Tamara Roberts took the helm of a product that’s been served to royalty… literally! Discover their story, and the unique chal...

2020 put the events space in jeopardy; One pivot, and Pow Food found its feet in style. Ali & Emily Warburton’s business story starts with a mission to revolutionise workplace food, and has evolved into a home range that embodies the duo’s relentless progression! Join Ali & Emily on It Runs In The Family as the mother-daughter pair shares how their alignment is a blessing and a curse, the...

Around 70% of businesses start off at home, and from humble beginnings in Adi Meintjes’ kitchen, the deliciously captivating Banhoek Chilli Oil was born. He and his brother-in-law, Ken Kinsey-Quick, have global aspirations for a brand that’s survived early pandemic setbacks in bringing a family recipe to life! The duo join us on It Runs In The Family to share their unique dynamic, how business bon...

Every episode of our podcast has posed the same three questions, hoping to track trends across businesses - after 82 episodes, it’s about time we took a look back… In a very special episode of It Runs In The Family, join us for a journey through some of our favourite answers from the likes of Cook, Thatcher’s and Cornishware among many others, with hilarity, practical advice and heartfelt emotions...

In an industry that builds for the present, it takes the care of kinship to build for the future - such is the strategy for Michael and Damien Wynne. These brothers have always been destined to work together, and as Co-Founders of property development company Q New Homes, they’re not afraid to pass up on profit for the benefit of the planet. Learn more about these siblings and how they bring their...

Despite the world of estate agency evolving dramatically the Tailor Made approach remains true 25 years on from its inception. Now led primarily by 2nd generation siblings Robert and Adrian, it’s a business bleeding true family values throughout as they build trust selling on some of the most coveted land in the country - Sandbanks. Join the duo for lessons and laughs in abundance, as their person...

Jim De’Ath grew up with the great outdoors central to his childhood. Now it’s at the heart of his entire family and its business: Valley and Peak. Becoming the 2nd generation to work within the business, Jim’s sights are set on carrying a torch that’ll last for many generations to come… The way that the family has influenced the business is just as fascinating as the inverse, seeing the family dyn...

From our family business to yours: Happy Valentine’s Day! What better day for us to celebrate all that we love about the people behind the show’s family business guests, and beyond. This week, the Willingham family takes centre stage as we look back on our unbelievable roster of guests, and share our adoration for the traits that they’ve exhibited which you just won’t find outside of the wonderful...

Since its inception in 1980, the humble Glaswegian beginnings of Pagazzi Lighting have bloomed into a leading lighting retailer, with the delightful Pagan family at the helm. Founded by Alan and Laura Pagan, they’re now joined in the business by daughter Rebecca - it’s the mother-daughter duo joining us on the podcast this week to share the charming stories, back-to-the-wall moments and family spi...

When Mark Hamblin’s parents rented a single van out throughout the weekdays, little did they know they were laying the simple groundwork for a thriving vehicle hire business. U-Drive’s fleet might be strong, with over four thousand vehicles, but it’s the strength and convictions of the Hamblin family members within the business that one simply can’t help but admire. Mark and Lauren, father and dau...

Pembrokeshire is a stunning stretch of Welsh coastline whose beauty should sell itself, but it’s Coastal Cottages’ community-building that builds the experience around it. Join us on It Runs In The Family to hear how Matthew and Sophie Evans channel their complementary talents in building a charming holiday cottage agency, all whilst founding one of Wales’ biggest sporting exports on the side… Thi...

The story behind Joe & Seph’s Gourmet Popcorn begins with a penchant for holiday gifts from the USA, and its latest chapter sees an iconic brand sharing natural flavours like no other. Among 4 family Co-Founders is Adam Sopher, whose role now as CEO sees him reside over a business proud to have secured investment and seen its products in Selfridges. We catch up with Adam on this week’s ‘It Run...

Catipilla just celebrated their 6th birthday, and the business’ adorable inception draws upon NASA experience and an unbeatable father-son combination. Designing furniture fit for our feline family is a job purrfectly suited to this week’s special guest, Andy Sutton, who takes us through the humble beginnings of every cat’s favourite furniture brand. This episode covers: Andy’s journey as a NASA e...

A 5 year old Christina Veal wanted ice cream, a simple request that set the wheels in motion on a 40 year legacy in the form of New Forest Ice Cream. Christina and her sister, Niki Jenman, now head up the business whose charm is tangible in every tasty scoop. These siblings have such undeniable chemistry, and it’s a joy that they shared it with us in this delicious episode of It Runs In The Family...

Greenhouses may not be an essential product, but that makes the charm and connection of family values a non-negotiable for the marvellous Alitex. With celebrity clients from Sheeran to Sting and an indomitable presence at Chelsea Flower Show, it’s no wonder that Tom and Nelly Hall have such pride in their brand. We join the duo on location this week, sheltering from the elements in one of their ve...

Some businesses’ products you simply can’t, or shouldn’t, live without - Lyfeguard sets out to make everyone’s lives simpler in a way that few other businesses ever can… In the aftermath of a torrid experience handling two late friends’ estates, Gary Steward and son Fraser Co-Founded a company with care and heart at its core.  Join us to hear their story, how they separate business from family lif...

Forget all you know of a farm shop - Nick and Ash Sinfield have created an iconic location in the business they’ve Co-Founded together: Teals. The couple have created a remarkable blend of commerce and hospitality with a food market, restaurant, and range of wellness classes to name a selection of factors that make Teals stand out. We’re joined by Nick and Ash to share how their family dynamic cha...

Sri Lankan food culture brings people together and always lays a space at the table, and that family feel channels into The Coconut Tree’s 9 fantastic locations. Rashintha Rodrigo’s emotional connection with the business has evolved over its 9 years in rather an interesting way - we catch up with him on It Runs In The Family about the chain’s success, and charming ambitions. This episode covers: T...

Glenmuir’s 130 year legacy stands it in great stead, but Managing Director Mikhel Ruia’s constant innovation and tempered approach keeps them moving ever-forwards. We have the rare opportunity to speak with another business within the same family group as last episode’s Sock Shop; both being part of the Ruia Group and interestingly sharing an evidently effective family ethos… This episode covers:...

‘Feel good from the feet up’ - one simple phrase underpins the decades-long history of the Sockshop brand, and its direction is guided by the keen intuition of Alok Ruia. As Director of the brand, which lies within the Ruia Group, there’s a fascinating dynamic between his business and those of his brothers, and a philosophy evident throughout the group. Discover Alok’s journey into the family busi...

Audrey Githa Goldberg was a health and skincare pioneer, writing two books heralded as ‘bibles’ in their field. That legacy lives on and flourishes through Care of the Skin. The mother & daughter-run business takes its name from one of these books, and both Lucy & Hannah Bennett continue to bring this industry-leading history to life. Hear more from this outgoing duo as they join us on epi...

There’s no shortage of hotels offering 5-star experiences, but without the familial touch that’s present in Maisons Pariente’s resorts, they pail in comparison. Launching all three hotels in the same year is challenging enough, let alone having one recognised as the pinnacle of French hospitality in Travel + Leisure’s awards. We dive into the family’s charming approach to hospitality with Co-Found...