Celebrating the Legacy of NI Family Firms at the Faces of Family Business Exhibition

The Faces of Family Business exhibition launched on Tuesday 3rd February, bringing together ten remarkable family businesses from across Northern Ireland, alongside members of the NI Family Business Forum. Hosted in partnership between Harbinson Mulholland and Ulster University’s Centre for Sustainable Family Enterprise, the exhibition celebrates the deep-rooted legacy of family firms that shape our economy and communities.

The afternoon began with a warm welcome from Darren McDowell, Senior Partner at Harbinson Mulholland, who highlighted the vital role family businesses play in Northern Ireland. With 60-70% of businesses in NI being family-owned, he acknowledged the 6,500 jobs sustained by the leaders in the room and emphasised the importance of recognising their contribution.

A key highlight of the event was an insightful conversation between Dr Ian Smyth from Ulster University and guest speaker Sharon Smurfit, Golf Consultant and Promoter. Sharon shared her personal journey, reflecting on her decision not to join the Smurfit Packaging family business and instead carve her own path in the golf industry. Her key advice for family business leaders included:

• Focus on what you are good at – whether it’s people, hospitality, or another area, play to your strengths.
• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – failure is a great teacher, but learning from it is key.
• Work-life balance matters – don’t wait until it’s too late to find it.
• When working with family, ensure financial agreements are clear and well-structured to avoid conflict.

Following the discussion, attendees moved across to the Birley Building at Ulster University, where the Belfast School of Art had curated an exhibition showcasing the unique history and memorabilia of the participating businesses. From old ledgers and first-sale garments dating back to 1956 to key milestones that marked each company’s evolution, the exhibition provided a powerful visual representation of their enduring legacies.

The businesses featured included; 4BeautyGroup, The Crosskeys Inn, Donnelly Group, Linwoods, McCalls, Moran’s Retail, O’Reillys Wholesale, TS Foods, Gibson Paving and RTU.

Their stories highlight not just economic impact, but also the social fabric they help to create within their communities. At Harbinson Mulholland, we are proud to celebrate the resilience and innovation of family enterprises, Tuesday is always a special day in our calendar. We extend our gratitude to Ulster University, Belfast School of Art, and most importantly, the family businesses who participated in bringing this exhibition to life.

Through imagery and storytelling, Faces of Family Business shines a light on the enduring power of family enterprises in Northern Ireland.