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The Oxford Economics for the Institute for Family Business (IFB) Research Foundation has released the UK Family Business Sector 2017-18 report revealing that family run businesses contribute to one quarter of the UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in which its Gross Value Added (GVA) has increased by £100 billion since 2010 to £519 billion. The GVA of family-run farms totaled to an attractive £15 billion for the UK economy.

The UK Family Business Sector indicated that family businesses demonstrate optimism, with an ambitious plan for growth as they earn more than £1.4 trillion of revenue per annum.

A family business is considered to have less than 250 employees owned by one or more family members and larger businesses having more than 249 employees and 25% of its share held by a UK family. Such businesses has dramatically increased by 35% since 2010 as there are now more than 4.8 million in the private sector comprising 87.6% of all private sector firms in the UK. In the agricultural sector, 151,000 businesses are family run and they provide 76.5% of employment in the sector.

The UK economy largely benefits from family businesses which hire millions of workers and generates a quarter of UK’s economy to provide 20% of the government’s revenue per annum. The size of employment at family firms and their contribution to UK GDP have risen by 25% since 2010 and further contributed £149 billion in taxes to the government in 2015/2016 either directly or through employment. A quarter of UK’s economy and 20% of the government’s revenue per annum, are provided through family run businesses.

Real estate, renting and businesses services account for 25% of all family firms, construction takes 2^nd place accounting for 18.9% and transport and storage services ranks 3^rd, taking up 12.2% of all family firms. Wholesale and retail businesses takes 4^th and employs more than 2 million people. Moreover, half of the country’s hospitality firms are family run with more than 153,000 hotels and restaurants combined. Family run businesses employ as many as 12.2 million people in the UK.

The new report sheds light on the vital role that family firms and businesses in the UK take part in to create a successful economy. “Family run businesses are the backbone towards the UK economy,” said Elizabeth Bagger, IFB Executive Director, “and the government’s new Industrial Strategy, will further support family-owned businesses to ensure continuous growth and prosperity.”

These following 11 destinations are not what they seem. They may look like some of the most famous landmarks around the world, but all are actually hidden wonders found among the great countryside of the United Kingdom.

Ben Nevis, Scotland. In the British Isles, Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the country, stands at 1,345 meters above sea level in the Scottish Highlands. It is an enchanting and adventurous ascent for the mountain lovers during its white winters like the French Alps which attracts outdoor enthusiasts every year to venture into its mountains and summits.

Mealt Falls, Skye. Volcanic formations and isolated islands are the natural landscapes of Hawaii. But on the ancient island of Scotland, the Mealt Falls in Skye, plunges some few hundred meters into the ocean from the ragged volcanic cliffs on the blue-watered coast. Admire the contrast between the spreeing waterfall as it crashes into the seemingly calm dark waters below.

 Photo Above: Ben Nevis and its nearby Lakes (left) and Mealt Falls plunges into the North Sea (right).

Cheddar Gorge, Blighty. The Cheddar Gorge in Blighty is the largest natural rock formation in the UK. Drive up a bendy road in the mountainous region to the rocky and jagged cliffs like Guilin, China. At the base of the gorge are water enriched underground caves for those who wish to explore the unknown.

St. Michael’s Mount, Cornwall.  Some ways out from the rocky shore of Normandy is a famous cathedral set on a small isolated island, but there sits its replicate in Cornwall. As a tidal island, St Michael’s Mount is a medieval church, settled high on the rocky hill, and is only accessible during low tide from a narrow-bricked road where you can walk back through time into a serene isolation.

Photo Above: Cheddar Gorge during sunset (left) and St. Michael’s Mount by the coast of Cornwall (right).

Photo Above: Tobermory’s famous row of colorful houses (left) and the Royal Pavillion’s light show at night (right).

Tobermory, Isle of Mull. Did someone just mention colorful houses by the water? In the Isle of Mull, Scotland, is a Copenhagen-like wonderland. Tobermory is an old fishing port that curves around the edge of the harbor and rises into the hillside with a row of colorful and stubby brickhouses lining the promenade.

Royal Pavilion and Museum, Brighton. Taj Mahal, India, stands as the most famous tomb monument and one of the Seven Wonders of the world. Brighton’s Royal Pavilion and Museum resembles the delicate tomb as it is built in polished white marble with five decorated domes encircled with a line of hexagonal windows. Not to mention it hosts some of the most spectacular light shows at night.

Photo Above: Shri Swaninarayan during the day (left) and steps of the Minack Theatre by the Cornish Coast (right).

Shri Swaminarayan, London. Europe’s first Hindu Temple, the Shri Swaminarayan, is nestled in Neasden, London. An archway stands at the entrance to the complex which is meticulously carved with Hindu scriptures and goddesses. A grand white marbled staircase leads to the façade of the monument to reveal an interior hall of sculpted columns reaching high into the dimly-lit domes above.

Minack Theatre, Cornish Coast. Just like the Greeks and Romans whom were famous for their mythical performances, UK is known for its famous Shakespearean theatre. The open-air stage, Minack Theatre faces a rugged shoreline and the vast Celtic Sea at the Cornish Coast and hosts stage performances under the starry sky, just like Taoramina in the Mediterranean along Sicily’s coast in Italy.

Kew Gardens, London. Step into the oriental atmosphere of China at the Octagonal Pagoda in Kew Gardens, London. The thin pagoda reaches 10-stories high into the open air hidden behind a garden of lush coniferous trees. The pagoda built in 1762 suffered through the World Wars and has just been recently transformed back into its original oriental glory.

Somerset, Faulkland. Not only in Provence, France, are endless fields of lavender flowers but Somerset in the British countryside has a spectacular range of lavender fields where you can fully inhale the fragrant air. The fullest blooms are from June to August, with rows of alternating purple and green filling up acres of land.

Photo Above: The Octagonal Pagoda standing high in Kew Gardens (left) and blooming lavender fields in Somerset (right).

Portmeirion, Wales. Step back in time in this little Tuscany – inspired Welsh village of Portmeirion. The dreamlike piazza is encircled with clock towers, Greek columns and a Rivera charm where little boats have docked by the seaside. Lush colorful plants and flowers bloom into view during the summer and the small streets feature turquoise benches, water fountains and murals of Roman mythologies.

Photo Above: The Tuscany-inspired town of Portmeirion, a local’s favorite for a quick romantic getaway.

Wealth inequality is set to increase in the United Kingdom, where wealth is unevenly divided across the country. In order to offset this issue, the Think Tank of the UK suggested that a Citizens’ Wealth Fund could distribute a dividend of at least £11,000 from 2030 to those at 25 years of age as means to aid youths for access to housing, investments, continued education and freedom to experiment and start businesses. This would enable youths to have the ‘opportunity effect’ into wealth.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Research Paper proposed that the UK can transform a portion of its national private and corporate wealth into public wealth, which could be capitalized through a mix of existing assets, including a collection of 3% taxes on activities in the publicly- owned stock (ie. RBS shares) exchange market.

IPPR estimates that if the fund is established by 2020/21, the return yield could reach to 4% per annum. By 2029/2030 financial year, the Citizens’ Asset Fund could accumulate up to £186 billion, enough to distribute an evenly dividend of £10,000 to 72.3 million UK citizens of age 25. The dividend would be able to aid youths into future investments of real estate, businesses and continued education.

IPPR senior economist, Cary Roberts explains, the country itself is a wealthy nation, but wealth is unevenly divided, “those who are wealthy and those who inherits the wealth have become very important.” The Fund will allow citizens to share the wealth that the country has inherited and promises that each citizen will be able to benefit from the increased wealth and not only for those who are has obtained or inherited certain assets. IPPR research suggests, wealth belongs to the entire nation and should not be managed independently by the government.

Most funds around the world achieve a long-term return of 4 per cent above inflation; this is substantially higher than the historically low cost of borrowing available to the government currently. Maintaining public assets as assets, rather than selling them off, would maintain a healthy public-sector net worth. It would also enable multiple generations to benefit from public assets, acting as a powerful force for intergenerational equality. If the revenue from North Sea Oil the government received in the 1980s had been invested in a fund, it would be worth over £500bn today; future assets must not be squandered in this way. Norway did invest its oil revenues, and today has a fund worth over $1 trillion (£710bn).

A study by the IPPR last year revealed that the wealthiest 10 per cent own 44% of wealth in aggregate. Such individuals own on average around £13M from stock shares, properties and pensions. Across the nation, 50% of the citizens combined only own 9% of the country’s total wealth, averaging at £3200 per person.

The value of wealth distributed among different generations has been a hugely sough-after problem. Specialists from IPPR suggested since WWII, the value of wealth has decreased dramatically each generation and will continue to do so, with a prominent problem of expensive housing. As housing prices rises, individuals will need to seek other ways to inherit the nation’s wealth.

Source: Ming Pao

The UK property market is a high potential investment, but with a wide selection available, investors will need to pay careful attention. Yesterday night, Golden Emperor Properties hosted a special seminar ‘Smart Ways to Investing in UK’ and invited a number of clients and those interested to join us. Guest speaker, Ms. Hosanna Ho, from UK renowned law firm, Lee & Kan Solicitors, shared her insights and tips with participants who enjoyed an informative but relaxed night of fine dining.

Photo Above: Golden Emperor Properties hosted the ‘Smart Ways into Investing in UK’ seminar yesterday evening.

Photo Above：Ms. Cubie Chan, Project Development Director of Golden Emperor, discusses the investment potential that the UK property market has shown.

Photo Above：Ms. Hosanna Ho, partner of UK renowned law firm, Lee & Kan Solicitors, explains how investors should choose steady, yet high return investments in UK.

Photo Above: Participants tasted some fine tapas during the seminar night.

Photo Above: Everyone enjoyed an informative, yet relaxed seminar.

Lego has been named the top consumer brand in the UK. Originated in Denmark, the flagship plastic pieces have been a popular addition for children’s toy chests for decades. The Danish manufacturer celebrated its 60^th anniversary along with the 2018 victory after creeping up Superbrands’ consumer list in the past few years.

The selection process is powered by the Center for Brand Analysis (TCBA) and surveyed 2,500 members of the British public and a council of 34 senior industry figures consisting of marketing experts, entrepreneurs and business professionals. Based on a list of 1,500 consumer brands, the surveyed were to compare brands on their perceived quality – does the brand provide quality products and services, reliability – is the brand trusted to deliver consistently, and distinction – the degree of knowability in the same business sector.

Last year’s first place belonged to British Airways, but with a major IT fault in 2017, cancellation of hundreds of flights resulted and the English aviation corporate has plunged out of the top 20 ranking. Last year’s winners, cloud computing giants Amazon and Google all fell out of the list this year.

Shaving brand, Gillette, topped the list at second place, followed by the technology giant, Apple at third place. Toilet paper brand, Andrex placed fourth and beverage corporation, Coca Cola followed in fifth place.

Multinational brands including BMW, Marks and Spencer, Boots and Disney all made it to the top 10.

“In a world where customer expectations have rightfully risen, brands cannot afford to disappoint and need to continually deliver to retain their valuable reputations. No brand, however strong, is immune to changing consumer sentiment,” Superbrands chairman Stephen Cheliotis said. British Airways falling out of the top 20 “should be a wake-up call for all brands.”