About the Family Business Practice
Why this practice exists
The Family Business Practice was created in response to a simple reality:
Family businesses don’t usually fail because of poor ideas or lack of effort.
They struggle because pressure builds quietly, conversations are avoided, and decisions are delayed to keep the peace.
Over time, that silence becomes costly.
This practice exists to help families notice what is happening early, slow things down, and make decisions they can live with – both commercially and personally.
A different approach: This is not generic business coaching, therapy, corporate consultancy or quick-fix advice.
It is experience-led support designed specifically for family businesses.
The focus is on clarity before action, support over instruction, progress over time, protecting relationships as well as results.
Family businesses are different where, History Matters, Roles are Personal and Identity is often tied to the company.
This practice respects that.
This approach has not been developed in theory, or recently, its a practice built over time.
The Family Business Practice did not begin as a programme or product.
It grew over time, through real work with real families.
Over more than eleven years, the Practice has supported hundreds of events and conversations, serving thousands of family businesses across the UK and, occasionally, Europe.
The work has been recognised within the professional community, including industry awards, but the measure that matters most is simpler: families returning, referring others, and saying that having space to think made a difference.
Why we created specific programmes
Because family businesses often know something is wrong, but don’t know what to do first.
How this practice works
Support is offered in clear stages, because readiness matters.
Some people start privately and quietly.
Others are ready for structured support over time.
A small number need confidential advisory guidance.
There is no expectation to move through every stage.
The right step is the one that feels safe and manageable now.
Who this is for
This practice is for established family businesses, second and third generation leaders, husband and wife teams, founders preparing for transition and families who care deeply about both business and relationships.
It is not for:
Start-ups, high-pressure sales environments, people looking for quick fixes or generic business advice.
About Peter Roper
The Family Business Practice is led by Peter Roper, often known as The Family Business Man.
Peter, has spent over 30 years working alongside family businesses, helping them navigate Growth, Succession, Leadership Transition, Difficult Conversations and Moments when Pressure is Quietly Building.
He also works inside an inter-generational family business himself, so understands these dynamics personally as well as professionally.
You can read more about Peter’s wider work at: 👉 peterroper.com
What matters here
This practice is built on calm, thoughtful conversations, trust over promotion, depth rather than scale and long-term thinking.
It is designed to feel safe, human, considered and unhurried.
A final word.
You don’t need to have everything worked out to engage with this practice.
