What a night! The Cumbria Family Business Awards lived up to expectations and beyond.

Myself and fellow organisers have been truly humbled by the feedback about the event.

The warmth of family businesses was our inspiration and it is only right that the awards reflect your contribution.

The moment when Outstanding Cumbria Family Business of the Year Pioneer received a standing ovation is a special and emotional memory that will stay with me for many years.

It will be an honour to see all the category winners at the national finals in London on June 7.

Cumbria’s family businesses will be shining brightly all year – and rightly so! Seeing so many inspirational people in one place has made me even more excited about this year’s Family Business Conference, which takes place at The Castle Green on Thursday, October 11.

We’ll be hearing from Denys Shortt OBE, Grasmere Gingerbread, Roland Hill Ltd, Pioneer Food Services, Out of Eden, Thomas Graham and The Westmorland Family among many more.

Their stories are relatable, heart‑warming and show the grit and determination needed to run a successful family business, I can’t wait to hear them!

Tickets will be released in coming weeks.

It’s certainly a good time to be Cumbrian!

The Family Business Network Ltd will be spreading some of our magical Cumbrian ethos a little further afield and I’m delighted to announce I’ll be working in partnership with Langleys on a series of events, the first of which will be in York Minster later this year.

A high‑profile and busy schedule ahead but, as always, I’m here to help and support your family business too.