Fuelling over 160 years of growth with Hendy Group’s Paul and Will Hendy #5

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 dynamic evolve with the brand - we learn more about the fabulous family behind Valley and Peak on this week’s ‘It Runs In The Family’!

This episode covers:

• How outdoor activity in Jim’s childhood fed into his business journey
• Navigating huge life events alongside business demands
• How working with family alters your dynamics and time together
• The invaluable benefits of having trust in those leading around you

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 world of family business!

This episode covers:

• How 2024 has kicked off, and what family businesses can expect from the year ahead
• Common touching points for most family businesses
• The innate connection between kin within a family firm
• Our appreciation for the candid honesty from all the guests that have joined us to date
• Opportunities that family businesses create for their own next generations

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 spirit that lights their way…

This episode covers:

• The story behind Pagazzi’s bold, naive beginnings
• How the family dynamic works with work-life balance & handling disagreements
• Their feeling of responsibility for team members, and the extra drive that gives you
• The importance of non-family members in the team’s growth
• Pagazzi’s admirable ambitions to continue expanding further south

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 daughter, join us live in the studio this week for a charming episode of It Runs In The Family.

This episode covers:

• How the 42 year old business grew its huge, 4,000+ vehicle fleet
• Standout moments with the family throughout U-Drive’s illustrious history
• How Lauren formed her connection with the business at a particularly early age
• Putting the family’s needs ahead of the business

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…

This episode covers:

• The story behind how the duo came to run Coastal Cottages
• How they hold onto their wonderful staff 
• Why they’re sometimes described as a ‘dating agency for holiday homeowners and holidaymakers’
• Bringing more family into the business
• How they’re bringing attention to the gorgeous area of Pembrokeshire

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 Runs In The Family’ to discover their delightful story.

This episode covers:

• The business’ swift inception with the family’s appearance at a food show in 2010
• How securing investment felt like validation of what they’d achieved so far
• Shared family leadership evolving into a more structured approach
• The combined skill sets of the family creating something special

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 engineer, before his entrepreneurial career
• How the family dynamic plays into their decision making process
• The charming story behind the business’ humble beginnings
• Moments of pride on their journey to international acclaim

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!

This episode covers:

• How the brand has evolved since its charming inception in 1983
• Standout moments with the family in the business
• Carving out time for each other
• The unparalleled role of quality tester for some of the wildest flavours
• Maintaining the business’ size alongside its lovely family culture

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 very own greenhouses, for a uniquely enlightening episode of It Runs In The Family.

This episode covers:

• The impostor syndrome of being connected to the business through your family relationship
• Sharing complementary skills and combined values
• How family life has influenced Tom’s approach to business ownership
• Famous names on their roster, including David Beckham’s unforgettable visit to Alitex’s HQ

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 life, and why for them being a family business is a double edged sword of sorts…

This episode covers:

• Separating business and family lives
• Combining complementary skills between family members and team members
• The emotional pain that Lyfeguard directly aims to alleviate
• Fraser’s experiences in Parliament