2022-12-15-牛津经济研究院-国家状况_2021-22年英国家族企业部门（英）_63页_3mb

This report from IFB Research Foundation and Oxford Economics examines the state of the UK family business sector in 2021-22, highlighting its economic significance and challenges. The sector comprises 4.8 million firms, accounting for 85.9% of all private sector businesses, and employs 13.9 million people, or 51% of private sector employment. It contributes significantly to GDP and GVA, totaling £1.7 trillion in turnover and £575 billion in GVA.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted family businesses, with many experiencing turnover declines and forced to adapt through measures like furloughing staff and shifting to remote work. Family firms showed resilience by maintaining staff levels better than non-family counterparts in some cases, but faced higher financial strains, including increased borrowing and depletion of cash reserves.

Looking forward, most family businesses expect growth, with plans to increase workforce skills, recruit staff, and adopt new technologies. Major obstacles include Brexit-related trade frictions, high inflation, rising energy costs, and stiff competition. Additionally, family businesses are increasingly addressing diversity, with higher proportions of women and minority-ethnic leaders, though challenges remain in fully integrating sustainable practices.

The conclusion underscores the sector's role as a cornerstone of the UK economy, benefiting from strengths like workforce diversity and adaptability, but needing to navigate new challenges to ensure long-term prosperity.