Stay away from dad the boss

By KATIE TAYLOR FOR MAILONLINE
Updated:

 

STICKING with the family firm is not always a good idea when it comes to forging a career. Even Rupert Murdoch's son Lachlan jumped ship last month from his father's media empire to follow his own dreams.

Joining your parents' business may seem like a fast track to the board of directors, but for some children it can be more like a dead end. And the added pressure of working with relatives can be unbearable.

So what if you are invited to join the family business? The best way to make a go of things might be to avoid it - at first.

Harry Freeman, director of careers consultancy Career Energy, says: 'A lot of people join the family business from school and leave because it doesn't suit them. They should explore other options first to find out what interests them.'

Family firms account for more than two out of three companies in Britain, according to the Institute for Family Business. But many encourage younger family members to gain practical experience with other organisations first.

Director general Grant Gordon says: 'They come into the business with something to offer beyond being related to the owner. But they may decide not to join at all.'

Simon Heptinstall had no intention at first of joining his father's retail firm, Storey Carpets, based in Washington, Tyne and Wear. Now Simon, 41, is chief executive. He worked for the family firm during studies for a biology degree and realised that it was what he wanted to do.

Simon Heptinstall

Simon admits he never had to battle to climb the promotional ladder. 'I should have spent some time working for other companies to gain a broader range of business experience,' he says. 'My father is the chairman, but one reason we avoided disagreement is because he trusts me.'

Penny Webb, a partner at the Centre for Family Business Excellence, part of consultancy Whitehead Mann, says: 'Issues that can derail a career include offspring being pushed into a role that they can't handle, to parents who are reluctant to hand over the reins to their children.'

More family businesses are bringing in and developing talent from outside their families, according to Webb. 'It dispels the notion of nepotism and creates excellent career opportunities for people,' she says.

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