Manchester based family business, HMG Paints Ltd accept ‘Essence of Family Business’ Award as well as the inaugural ‘Next Generation Ambassador Award’ for 4th generation family member, Rebecca Falder at the annual Family Business United (FBU), Family Business of the Year Awards evening.

The live ‘virtual’ awards ceremony welcomed 96 family business finalists to view from the comfort of their own homes. HMG not only accepted two awards during the ceremony but also came runners up in the Manufacturing and North and Northern Ireland categories which HMG previously won in 2017 where they came home with a hattrick of awards including the Supreme Champion Family Business of the Year Award.

At the 2021 Family Business of the Year Awards, amongst the myriad of family businesses from across the UK and Ireland, HMG were the humble recipients of the ‘Essence of Family Business’ Award. Commenting on the win, Amit Sharma, Partner at Goodman Jones, and sponsors of this award said “In spite of the challenging and turbulent year, it was a joy to see how so many families and their businesses had risen to the challenge, and in many cases turned disaster into opportunity. There were so many examples of how they had cared for their community during the pandemic as well as looking after staff and that mindset of looking to the future and caring for the next generation were qualities that we felt were key for this award. HMG Paints are truly worthy recipients of the Essence of Family Business award for 2021.”

John Falder, Chairman of HMG Paints adds, “I am accepting this award on behalf of all my colleagues at HMG who have done an incredible job throughout this past year. The past year and a half takes the biscuit as being the most challenging that I have ever experienced throughout my time at HMG, which is over 40 years, and it is an honour to receive this award after such a difficult year.”

“You find out about your colleagues in the tough times and what I found is exactly what I would have expected that I am working with the most brilliant team within the coatings industry, who at a time when the country was in need of something, the HMG team rose to the challenge and adapted tremendously quickly. They formulated a hand sanitiser solution, converted alcohol stocks and manufactured for those in need. We are proud to have donated HMG’s sanitiser to key workers, NHS organisations, care homes, emergency services and many more companies across the country. This award is dedicated to our people, the people of HMG, without whom, we wouldn’t be picking up this prestigious award,” concludes John.

Paul Andrews, founder of FBU and organisers of the awards concludes, “Family businesses are the engine room of the UK economy and these awards celebrate their contribution. The Essence of Family Business Award seeks to recognise a family firm that truly epitomises what being a family business is all about – their values, the way they do things, their support of the community and being a force for good and a real purpose at their heart.”

“HMG Paints are truly great ambassadors of the family business sectors and in the eyes of the judges totally represent the essence of family business. They are worthy winners of this national award.”

The second award for HMG on the evening and for the first time in the history of the Family Business of the Year Awards recognition was given to an inspirational next generation member. Rebecca Falder, of HMG Paints Ltd, was announced as the inaugural recipient at the awards ceremony where she was awarded the Next Generation Ambassador award.

As Rebecca explains, “I am so honoured to be the first recipient of the National Next Generation Award and to be one of the next generation of family members working in our family firm. I’ve worked for HMG Paints for six years now and am constantly seizing opportunities and taking on new challenges within the business.”

“I have been sharing my journey with other peer networks and future leader platforms in order to help others considering a role in their own family business. I look forward to developing more responsibilities and taking on more challenges within HMG Paints and to continue to support the development of other next generation members within family businesses too.”

Paul Andrews concludes “A key challenge for all family businesses at some point in their journey is the transition to the next generation. This award seeks to recognise an individual that is not only an active member of the next generation of their own family firm but also an inspiration to others. Rebecca embodies the essence of this award through the work that she does both inside and outside of HMG Paints and deserves all the recognition and plaudits that winning this award brings.”