Family businesses play an important role in Northern Ireland’s economy, but leading one comes with a unique set of challenges. Balancing family relationships with commercial decisions, managing generational change and preparing the next generation to take the reins can make leadership particularly complex.
These challenges will take centre stage at the next NI Family Business Forum event, “Leadership. It’s different when it’s family.”, taking place at The Dunadry Hotel, Co Antrim, on Thursday 19 November 2026.
Organised by the NI Family Business Forum, an initiative of HM Chartered Accountants and Ulster University, the event will bring together family business owners, leaders and future generations to explore the realities of leadership within family-owned enterprises.
The programme features a mix of business leaders, academic expertise and personal stories, examining everything from changing leadership expectations and navigating family dynamics to dealing with the unexpected.
Among the speakers are:
- Professor Maura McAdam, internationally recognised academic, who will explore women in leadership and how expectations and opportunities are evolving within family businesses.
- McKeever Hotels, sharing insights into leading a successful family business across generations.
- Vincent Cleary of Glenisk, offering leadership lessons from one of Ireland’s best-known family businesses.
- Gibson Paving, sharing a personal story of stepping into leadership when circumstances change overnight.
- Mairead Mackle, CEO Tarasis Enterprises sharing her story of building a successful business portfolio spanning multiple sectors, passionate about values-based leadership, entrepreneurship and using business as a force for good.
- Susan Hayes Culleton, business strategist and financial expert, who will explore how family businesses can prepare for the future.
The event will also examine sibling leadership, the challenges and opportunities of working alongside family members, and what happens when a business faces an unexpected leadership crisis.
One of the event’s most personal stories will come from Portglenone-based Gibson Paving, a family business established by Fred and Ruth Gibson in 1985. Following Fred’s unexpected stroke, the family faced the challenge of navigating a sudden change in circumstances while continuing to run the business. His daughter Sharon will share their experience of stepping up, supporting their family and taking on leadership responsibilities at a particularly difficult time.
Their story also demonstrates the resilience and ambition of the next generation, with the business recently unveiling a new £250,000 paving and outdoor living centre.
The event forms part of the NI Family Business Forum’s ongoing programme of activities supporting family-owned businesses across Northern Ireland, recognising the contribution they make to the economy, employment and local communities.
Darren McDowell, for the NI Family Business Forum said:
“Leadership is challenging in any organisation, but when it’s a family business, there’s another layer of complexity. Decisions don’t just affect the bottom line; they can affect relationships, family dynamics and the legacy that generations have worked to build.
“One of the strengths of family businesses is their ability to think long term, but that doesn’t mean the path to successful leadership is always straightforward. From succession planning and sibling relationships to navigating an unexpected crisis, these are issues that many family businesses face but don’t always have the opportunity to talk about openly.
“Through the NI Family Business Forum, we wanted to create a space where family businesses can learn from one another, share real experiences and have conversations that help them build stronger businesses for the future.”
“Leadership. It’s different when it’s family.” takes place on Thursday 19 November 2026, from 9.30am to 2.00pm, at The Dunadry Hotel, Co Antrim.
Further information and booking details are available at www.hm-accountants.com.