The Coutts Prize for Family Business 2008/09 Evaluation process

Our search for the best run family businesses in England and Wales will take place in three stages, each involving rigorous independent evaluation.

STAGE 1 – RESEARCH

Subject to any additional evaluation, when we have checked that the nomination forms have been properly completed, we will forward them to Ipsos MORI, one of Britain's most respected opinion and market research agencies.

Ipsos MORI will prepare an evaluation report for each nominee by December 2008, based on a detailed telephone interview with the nominee.

To ensure fairness, all nominees Interviewed by Ipsos MORI will be asked the same questions, and invited to submit a business description of under 250 words, a family tree, a corporate structure and copies of the last three years’ accounts.

Additional financial information such as the most recent management accounts, twelve months’ financial forecasts and explanatory notes on key aspects of performance will also be requested.

Companies will be asked if they want a member of the local Coutts office to visit them to provide the independent evaluation committee with additional information, although this is entirely optional.

The Chairman of the independent evaluation committee reserves the right to appoint representatives of the independent evaluation committee to shortlist nominees prior to the independent evaluation committee meeting in February based on a preliminary review of information contained in the nomination form or the evaluation report prepared by Ipsos MORI. Nominees will be informed whether or not they have been shortlisted by 30th November 2008.

A review of financial information provided by the shortlisted companies will be undertaken by Elizabeth Elder.

STAGE 2 - REGIONAL FINALS

The independent evaluation committee will be chaired by Roger Pedder, former Chairman of C&J Clark Ltd (Clarks Shoes).There will be three regional evaluation committees –

London and Greater London.

Northern England and the Midlands.

Southern England and Wales.

Each committee is made up of seven individuals including family business owners, professional advisers and academics (Click here to view independent evaluation committee).

All shortlisted nominations and the associated Ipsos MORI evaluation reports will go forward to the appropriate independent evaluation committee, who will meet in February 2009. Regional winners in each of the turnover categories (small, medium and large) will be announced at the regional prize giving ceremonies in March 2009.

STAGE 3 - NATIONAL FINALS

Regional winners will then advance to the national finals, when a national evaluation committee, consisting of representatives of each of the regional committees, will decide the overall winners in each of the three categories (small, medium and large). The regional winners will be interviewed by representatives of the national evaluation committee.

The overall winners in each category will be announced at a national prize giving ceremony in June 2009.

Coutts will host the evaluation committee meetings, but will not participate in the evaluation committees. The names and identities of the nominees will be kept confidential by Coutts & Co, Ipsos MORI, the independent evaluation committee and other parties appointed by Coutts in respect of the evaluation process.