The ‘Chocolate heaven’ of family businesses

Peter Thornton, the former chairman of one of Britain’s premier brands, is guest speaker at the Wilsons Family Business Forum in the West Midlands.

Hosted by The Wilson Organisation, the Forum is dedicated to sharing the challenges facing family-owned and operated businesses and at its 2010 inaugural event in Birmingham, its guest speaker will deliver a rare insight into the Thornton's family and its confectionary business, at which Peter Thornton spent 35 years of his career including three years as its Chairman.

His appearance follows the launch of his book, published by Tomahawk Press, about his life working in the Thornton's family business, which is currently firmly placed in the Amazon Top 10 Business Book charts.

"We are thrilled that Peter Thornton has accepted the invitation to the first of our 2010 Family Business Forums in Birmingham," says Charlotte Prow, managing director of Wilsons, who runs the family business alongside her sister Annabel.

"Thorntons is one the country's best-loved and well known brands on the high street and as a family business, Peter's experiences will doubtless prove interesting for those attending the Forum, who may even share some of the challenges that Peter faced during his career with the company."

Since early 2008, The Wilson Organisation, which offers independent financial advice, insurance brokerage and risk management services, has hosted the quarterly Family Business Forum events across the East Midlands for the next generation of family business leaders.

Charlotte explains: "The informal format of the Forum has been incredibly well received and the events are now well established as ideal for sharing the common challenges and situations, regardless of sector, of operating a family owned business. Based on the excellent feedback, 2010 marks the expansion of the Forum into a region-wide Midlands initiative, and one which is focussed on and dedicated to supporting family owners."

The Forum takes place on the 28th January 2010 at Malmaison in Birmingham's Mailbox. To find out more and register your interest in attending this or a future Forum, contact Charlotte Prow, email: CProw@wilorg.com.  The event will be facilitated by John Tucker of the International Centre for Families in Business (ICFIB), which specialises in working with families in business facing change and transition, particularly management and ownership succession.

Peter Thornton published his book ‘Thorntons - My life with the family business' in October 2009, which is a frank and honest story of the Thorntons family and its business. He will be signing copies of the book at the Forum event. For more information about Peter Thornton, visit: http://www.thornton-asc.co.uk. The book is published by Tomahawk Press and can be purchased from the company's website - www.tomahawkpress.com.

The Wilson Organisation, based in Nottingham, provides professional independent
insurance, financial, risk management and corporate finance solutions to businesses and individuals both regionally and nationally. It is a Top 100 UK independent broker and has developed innovative solutions through strong relationships with insurers and financial services providers. For more information, visit: www.wilorg.com,  or Tel: 0115 942 0111.