The Pentland Centre is hosting a seminar with Centre of Family Business. This seminar will provide key insights from a study led by Mat Hughes (University of Leicester) and commissioned by the Family Business Research Foundation on ESG in Family Businesses. The study sought to survey and review the evidence base on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) in family firms with the aim of identifying new avenues for research in this area. The project also involved an analysis of ESG policies, regulations, and frameworks relevant to UK businesses. The seminar will report on the landscape of ESG regulations, the rise of voluntary pledges and certifications like B Corp, the status of current research, and implications for firms, policymakers, and teachers.

NB: The seminar runs from 11:00-12:00 in MAN- Management School WP LT 14 and on Teams. Please note that this session will be recorded. Teas and coffee will be provided.

All Lancaster University academic staff and students welcome - registration required.

Please register below - registrations close Thursday 8 May 2025. Please contact pentlandcentre@lancaster.ac.uk for queries re booking after that date.

Photo at top of page by Deemerwha studio at Adobe Stock.

Mathew (Mat) Hughes is Schulze Distinguished Professor of Family Business and Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Leicester, UK. Mat’s expertise includes the strategy and management of entrepreneurship and innovation in various contexts. Mat is widely published in world-leading and internationally excellent journals, including Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Long Range Planning, and British Journal of Management. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Business Research and Journal of Family Business Strategy and Senior Editor of the leading practitioner website www.familybusiness.org, funded by the Richard M. Schulze Foundation. Outside academia, Mat hosts the ‘Professor Mat Hughes Podcast’, a successful podcast series freely available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud and Amazon Audible, rated 9th by Feedspot in their Top 25 UK Innovation Podcasts of 2025.

Health & Safety and access information:

• In order to safeguard everyone's health, if you test positive for Covid-19 before the event, or are feeling unwell in any way, please don't attend (and please let us know).
• The room is on the first floor, accessible via lift, flat, wheelchair accessible and has an induction loop. There is a wheelchair accessible toilet nearby.
• Accessible parking - there are 3 disabled parking bays at the top of Gillow Avenue (next to the West Pavilion).

Find out more about the Pentland Centre on our website