More than 100 delegates and dozens of family businesses from across the north will gather in Cumbria today for a major conference.

The Family Business Conference takes place at The Halston, in Carlisle and includes high profile speakers from across the UK and familiar faces from the county.

William Robinson of Stockport's Robinson's Brewer, will headline along with Fred Story of Story Homes and Story Contracting. There will be appearances from food producer Hawkshead Relish and Twoey, which manufactures educational resources from its base in Wigton, while representatives from Yorkshire family business Wold Top Brewery and Manchester's HMG Paints will take part in a special panel discussion on the “next generation” of family business.

Dave Clarkson, Business Development Director at York and Lincoln based Langleys Solicitors, will chair the panel, which will be made up entirely of women.

He said: “Women have always been influential in family businesses but more so now than in the past. Here the women involved are leading from the front and setting the agenda for innovation and growth within their businesses.”

Event organiser, Sue Howorth of The Family Business Network Ltd, said that attracting national speakers to along with high profile local figures showed there was a growing community of family businesses eager to share their learning and experience.

More than 100 delegates from across the UK have registered for the conference, which is supported by Armstrong Watson and the Wrapped Agency.

Event Sue Howarth said: “So often the struggles of being in a family business are universal and we are lucky enough to have some candid speakers who will be sharing invaluable stories which I know will speak to family businesses of all sizes and backgrounds.”

Carlisle MP John Stevenson is also due to speak in his capacity as Chair of The All Party Parliamentary Group for Family Business.

In-cumbria will be Tweeting live from the conference using its handle @incumbriamag and using the hashtag #fambizconf.