our history

ICFIB was formed 2004 initially as a joint venture between accounting practice Grant Thornton and the University of Gloucestershire. At the time, ICFIB's founder, John Tucker, was UK Head of Family Business at Grant Thornton.

ICFIB became an independent organisation in 2006 since which time it has grown to provide a range of services including:

• consultancy to family owned businesses which now constitutes the bulk of ICFIB's activities;
• training and education to professionals. Approximately 100 senior professionals (typically at partner level in larger accountancy and legal firms but also involving bankers, independent financial advisers, psychologists, HR professionals and others) have undertaken the ICFIB professional members accreditation training;
• training and education of family business members. The education provided to date ranges from the UK's only bespoke MBA course for family owned businesses (offered originally through the University of Gloucestershire and latterly the University of West of England) through to ad hoc training programmes and events;
• publications - for example publications "Living in a Family Business" and "Taking over from Dad";
• research - ICFIB maintains academic links with a number of universities, both in the UK and internationally. Both independently and in collaboration with academic partners, ICFIB has undertaken a number of research projects in relation to various matters of importance to family business clients.