At HM Chartered Accountants, we are proud to champion the businesses that form the backbone of Northern Ireland’s economy. This week, in partnership with Ulster University, we hosted our annual Faces of Family Business exhibition, a powerful celebration of the people, stories and values that sit behind some of our most successful family enterprises.
The exhibition once again brought together an inspiring group of local businesses: Hutchinson Engineering, Mash Direct, Environmental Street Furniture, McNicholl Caravans, Henderson Group, Connollys of Moy, Seating Matters, McKinstry Group and Broighter Gold.
One of the strongest themes to emerge from the day was that family business extends far beyond the surname above the door.
For many of the businesses represented, employees who have worked within the company for 30 or 40 years are considered part of the family. Generations of staff have grown alongside the business, contributing to its resilience and success. As one speaker reflected, family business is not built solely by ownership, it is built by people.
From apprenticeship academies designed to give young people opportunity, to multi-generational teams working side by side, these firms demonstrate that legacy is something created collectively.
On the day each of the businesses were asked to pick one photo from the exhibiton and asked to describe what it meant for them and their business.
For some, the image chosen represented sanctuary, the kitchen table as a place removed from the pressures of industry. In family business, the line between work and home can often blur. Taking time to pause, to reconnect and to celebrate shared success is essential.
Another speaker reminded us that we do not celebrate success often enough. Family businesses are determined, focused and driven but it is important to step back and acknowledge milestones achieved. Recognising progress is not boasting; it is honouring the hard work of generations.
If there was one word that captured the spirit of the exhibition, it was resilience.
Northern Ireland’s family businesses are deeply rooted in place. They are connected to their communities, committed to local employment and invested in long-term growth. They are not built for short-term gain; they are built to endure.
Family businesses do not simply aim to survive challenging periods, they are determined to thrive. To innovate. To create opportunity. To prepare the next generation. To leave something stronger than they inherited.
The Faces of Family Business exhibition exists to highlight these human stories, the founders who started in farm sheds and small workshops, the partners who became business partners in every sense, the children who found their way back into the enterprise, and the employees who became family.
At HM Chartered Accountants, we are privileged to work alongside so many family-owned firms. We understand the unique dynamics, opportunities and challenges they face, and we remain committed to supporting their journey across generations.
Our sincere thanks to all the businesses who participated and shared their stories so openly, and to Ulster University for partnering with us once again.
Family business is about people.
It is about place.
It is about legacy.
And it is about building something that lasts.
