FAMILY firms in East Lancashire are being urged to bring in outsiders.

The Stoy Centre for Family Business, based in Lancashire, said firms should look at taking on non-executive directors to give a fresh viewpoint and act as an independent mediator in family disputes.

"Recent research indicated that only 30 per cent or family businesses involve non-executive directors in the firm's management," said Sue Brady, chairman of the North West Stoy Centre for Family Research.

"We want to make the other 70 per cent aware of the added value they can give to family firms."

Benefits include providing an unbiased "sounding board" to discuss problems, acting as mediators to resolve family disagreements and broadening a firm's network of contacts.

"A good outside director can act as a catalyst to instigate change. In any event the non-executive director should be the informed critic of the board making sure it thinks and plans."

The Preston-based Stoy Centre for Family Business is part of a national association aimed at raising the profile of the country's independent firms.

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