Afterlife June 2025 Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, Windermere

It was a brilliant morning at our October Afterlife event, which explored what life beyond the business really looks like when a non-family leader comes in.

Our keynote speaker, John Holliday from Gretna Green Ltd, delivered insights that were both thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining. A former professional footballer turned media executive, John took his talents to Gretna Green, a fifth-generation family business best known as the “wedding capital” of Britain.

He spoke candidly about what it means to join a long-established family business as an outsider, and how earning trust and credibility must be based on performance rather than reputation. Since joining Gretna Green, John’s held over 270 one-to-one meetings with employees to understand the culture and challenges within the business; a clear example of his belief in listening whilst leading.

His philosophy centres on long-term growth rather than quick wins, with a focus on “planting metaphorical trees” that will benefit future generations. John’s key message resonated throughout the room: ‘be a custodian, not a conqueror’, balancing respect for heritage with the need for reinvention.

The expert panel led by Greg Winter from Rathbones covered important ground too, from succession planning and shareholder agreements to how upcoming tax changes will impact family firms. They reinforced that communication lies at the heart of effective succession.

What stood out most was the honesty in the room, with people openly sharing their experiences, challenges, and lessons learned. This openness is a fundamental part of what makes family businesses special.