Scotland's largest family business, Arnold Clark Automobiles, is now the fifth largest in the category, according to the annual Top 10 UK Family Business survey from the Institute for Family Business.
The latest data reveals that the UK’s top family-owned businesses have defied the downturn that has plagued much of the rest of the economy.
While most of the nation’s business continue to struggle, the top 10 UK family-businesses increased sales over the last year.
Total sales for the top 10 family businesses in the UK climbed by 10.2% to £35.5 billion with the top four companies
Once again Associated British Foods, controlled by the Weston family and owner of familiar retail brands including Kingsmill, Primark and Twinings, topped the table, although Stemcor, the world’s largest independent steel trader and owned by the Oppenheimer family, narrowed the gap in second.
The top three remained the same, but Bestway Group climbed from 10th to seventh, while the only new entry to the list is Shop Direct, the online and home shopping retailer.
Arnold Clark, which is owned by the Clark family, enjoyed sales last year of £2.3bn, compared with £2.2bn the year before.
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