Neill & Brown tops the family business tree after standing the test of time

One of the Humber region’s leading supply chain companies has gained star billing in the annual Family Business of the Year Awards.

Neill & Brown Global Logistics is the first winner of the new special achievement award for being successful over a number of generations.

Paul Andrews, founder and managing director of organisers Family Business United, recently visited the Hessle-based firm.

“Neill & Brown is a great Yorkshire business that has stood the test of time,” he said.

“The competition is for the crème de la crème of family firms from all sectors and all corners of the UK in celebration of the contribution they make to this country and beyond.”

CEO Peter Brown, the third generation of his family at the helm of the business, said the award was the ‘icing on the cake during its centenary year.

He stressed that Neill & Brown operated as a family firm in the widest sense.

“Everything we do is for the good of the business and talented and hardworking staff who are not family members, such as our managing director Colin Moody, can reach senior positions.

Maintaining ‘family values’ was crucial to the company’s future, he said, following turnover reaching nearly £25m and employee numbers increasing from 75 to more than 130 in the last seven years.

“To have a number of family members operating with an owner’s eye gives us real strength and there is always a focus on keeping moving forward for future generations.

“Being family run makes us understand the importance of trust and a team approach.”

Currently, there are five family members in the business, including Mr Brown’s wife, Moira, who is his PA.

It even has employee families. At one time recently, there were eight fathers and sons working for the company.

As part of the 100th anniversary celebrations, staff are being recognised as the stars of the business in an online #OurStars campaign.

Marketing manager Mark Jardine represented Neill & Brown at the Family Business of the Year awards ceremony at London’s May Fair Hotel.

“It was an honour to win the award during the company’s centenary and during what is also a great year for Hull,” he said.

“When I started at Neill & Brown nearly five years ago, it was like being welcomed into the Brown family. These values run throughout the business and are a key factor in the company’s success.”

Neill & Brown was the first Bid Angel in support of Hull 2017 City of Culture and maintains a strong community presence.