I was delighted to attend the recent Cumbria Family Business Awards.

The Family Business Network in Cumbria is a relatively new organisation in the family business world – but they are already making an impact in our county throughout the year.

Though this was only the second awards dinner, it was attended by more than 300 individuals and businesses from across Cumbria.

The awards event was excellent and a showcase and demonstration of the variety of family businesses in Cumbria.

Si King, one half of the Hairy Bikers, was there to compere the evening and celebrate our county’s family businesses.

And it was my privilege to present the ones to watch awards to three up‑and‑coming family businesses in Cumbria – Little Rascals Daycare, Plato’s Kirkby, and Feather & Springs.

One thing that struck me was the true diversity of family businesses in our county.

There were large firms, small firms, firms that deliver services, manufacturers, hoteliers, food and drinks, transport firms – you name it.

Last year, Bells of Lazonby won the Outstanding Cumbria Family Business of the Year award and this year Pioneer Food Service was the winner.

These are substantial local businesses employing hundreds of people and bringing in multi‑millions of pounds of turnover to invest in our county.

It really made me proud to see such aspirational businesses rightly winning these awards and demonstrating that we in Cumbria really do have quality family businesses.

Roll on next year’s awards!