Business Survey Invites Views from Area's Firms

FAMILY, privately owned and owner-managed businesses are being urged to share their views and help build a fresh picture of the opportunities, challenges and priorities in the area.

Armstrong Watson have launched their 2026 Family, Privately Owned and Owner-Managed Business Survey, designed to capture the views across all sectors.

They are looking to explore how businesses are responding to current pressures, such as costs, labour challenges and technology, while also identifying areas of resilience and growth.

The survey will gather insights across key themes including people and recruitment, digitalisation and technology, innovation and growth strategies, and succession and long-term planning.

CEO Paul Dickson said: “Family, privately owned and owner-managed businesses are the backbone of the UK economy and the communities they serve. 

FAMILY, privately owned and owner-managed businesses are being urged to share their views and help build a fresh picture of the opportunities, challenges and priorities in the area.

Armstrong Watson have launched their 2026 Family, Privately Owned and Owner-Managed Business Survey, designed to capture the views across all sectors.

They are looking to explore how businesses are responding to current pressures, such as costs, labour challenges and technology, while also identifying areas of resilience and growth.

The survey will gather insights across key themes including people and recruitment, digitalisation and technology, innovation and growth strategies, and succession and long-term planning.

CEO Paul Dickson said: “Family, privately owned and owner-managed businesses are the backbone of the UK economy and the communities they serve. They are incredibly resilient, but they are also operating in a period of significant change, with persistent cost pressures, economic uncertainty and important decisions to make around growth, leadership and long-term planning.
“This survey allows business owners to share their views, the challenges they are facing, and the support they need to succeed. It is only by taking the time to listen and understand these issues that we, as advisers, can provide the most relevant and effective support.

“We are keen to hear from as many businesses as possible so the findings reflect a broad and representative picture of the sector. The insights gathered will not only help us better support our clients and contacts, but will also contribute to a wider understanding of the concerns and ambitions of family and owner-managed businesses across the UK.”

Armstrong Watson will share the findings in a full report later this year.

The multiple-choice survey takes around ten minutes to complete and can be found at armstrongwatson.info/FamBiz26. Participants have the chance to win a £200 Amazon voucher.They are incredibly resilient, but they are also operating in a period of significant change, with persistent cost pressures, economic uncertainty and important decisions to make around growth, leadership and long-term planning.

“This survey allows business owners to share their views, the challenges they are facing, and the support they need to succeed. It is only by taking the time to listen and understand these issues that we, as advisers, can provide the most relevant and effective support.

“We are keen to hear from as many businesses as possible so the findings reflect a broad and representative picture of the sector. The insights gathered will not only help us better support our clients and contacts, but will also contribute to a wider understanding of the concerns and ambitions of family and owner-managed businesses across the UK.”

Armstrong Watson will share the findings in a full report later this year.

The multiple-choice survey takes around ten minutes to complete and can be found at armstrongwatson.info/FamBiz26.

Participants have the chance to win a £200 Amazon voucher.