Celebrating Family Business Week 2023

Family businesses contribute £225 billion to the UK Exchequer through tax receipts, which is over a quarter (27%) of the government’s total receipts, according the FamilyBusinessUK.

One of those family businesses is Viridian Nutrition, the leading brand of ethical vitamins, based in Daventry in the East Midlands. Founded in 1999 by Cheryl Thallon, Viridian Nutrition is firmly in the hands of the mother-daughter team now that Holly has joined the business.

“As a family business ourselves, Viridian understands the needs of our family-led 1000+ independent health store stockists,” explains Cheryl. “In the natural products industry, many companies have been taken over by much larger pan global conglomerates such as Nestle, Unilever and Proctor & Gamble, losing the family connection and close personal relationship with stores and their customers.”

Family Business Week is a week-long celebration of family businesses as a force for good.

Family firms are the backbone of the UK economy and the bedrock of our communities. However, the scale of their impact and contribution is often underestimated. Family businesses employ 13.9 million people, generate £1.7 trillion in turnover, and contribute £575 billion gross value added (GVA) to UK GDP.

Family Business Week is designed to recognise and celebrate the contribution family firms make to the economy and communities. Led by Family Business UK, the week is an opportunity for everyone to get behind family businesses and show their support.

Future leaders

This year’s Family Business Week theme is “Future Leaders” shining a spotlight on innovative and pioneering family business leaders and organisations that are shaping the future of family business for the next generation.

Viridian’s next-gen MD, Holly Thallon Steenson, is highlighted as one of six ‘Ones to Watch’ by FamilyBusinessUK, profiling some of the exciting young leaders in the family business community.

Holly, grew up in the natural products trade, often attending trade shows, working in the warehouse and offices, answering the phones at Christmas and sitting beside her mum in business meetings around the world.

“I think of Viridian as my little sister, and I’m incredibly excited to begin the process of stepping into my mum’s shoes as she transitions to our Advisory Board.”

Holly officially joined the business in 2021, after gaining a first-class honours degree in Business & Events Management, then spending four years in the events industry. “It was important for me to get out into the business world before joining Viridian. The experience I gained from working in other businesses has been incredibly valuable.”

Holly also worked in the family health food store in their home town of Daventry. “Understanding the stresses and strains of retail at the ‘sharp-end’ has given me a strong foundation for seeing the challenges and opportunities that Viridian’s customers are managing every day. Independent, often family-run, health stores are at the heart of Viridian’s success.”

Viridian Nutrition is future-ready, with plans to expand internationally and domestically in the coming years. “We’re in the business of helping our customers to greater health and happiness through enhanced nutrition,” concludes Holly. “We’re committed to blending past traditions with modern innovations – that’s true in our supplement range of vitamins, minerals and herbals, but also in how mum and I manage the business.”

Family business at its harmonious best!