12th June 2017
We have been voted Family Business of the Year 2017 for London and the South East
Fantastic news! We have been voted Family Business of the Year 2017 in this year’s awards for the London and South East. Brothers Chris, Peter, Bides and Tony Timotheou are jubilant at having won this top accolade from Family Business United. Created by Paul Andrews the aim of FBU is to champion family businesses and recognise the contribution they make to the country.
Tims Dairy was founded 68 years ago, in 1949, by the current family’s uncle, Euripides Nicolaou who was then joined by the current owner’s father Michael Timotheou. Family has always been central to the success of Tims Dairy, from the skill set and experience required to make high quality yogurts to the strong bond needed to build and grow the brand. The brothers are hugely proud of their Greek family heritage too. Family is at the core of their ethos and success and this remains as strong today as it has done from the beginning, and will be the guiding force for growth into the future. Read about our history here.
The brothers were quick to stress that the success of the business is a team effort though. Managing Director Chris Timotheou said “The vision of our uncle and father in establishing the business and their hard work have been our inspiration and we know they would be very proud of what the family has achieved – and of this award. However, none of this would have been possible without the dedicated team around us. The family would like to dedicate this particular award to our mother, Eleni Timotheou, who continues to be our inspiration on a daily basis.”
“It’s been about family from the beginning for us and we hope that those around us share those values and feel part of an extended family” said Operations Director Peter, adding “We are so lucky to have this strong family bond at our core that is the foundation stone of our success. We also want to thank Paul and everyone at FBU for their hard work organizing the awards. They can rest assured that this means a huge amount to us.”
Since being founded in 2011 Family Business United has grown into an award-winning magazine, resource centre and events organisation championing the contribution that family businesses make to the global economy. The Family Business of the Year Awards are a real highlight in the family business calendar. Initial nominations and short-listing in the awards were by public votes received, while the finalists were judged by an expert panel.
Paul Andrews, Founder and Managing Director of Family Business United who are responsible for the awards added, “Tims Dairy is a great business by four brothers and they have a fantastic product which has clear links to their family heritage. The judges were impressed with the way that the business has adapted over time, embraced the family values within their organisation and continued to make their presence felt in a competitive sector.”
As Richard Lane, Partner and Head of Family Business at Farrer & Co who sponsored the award added, “We were looking for a great ambassador for the family business sector in the London & South East region and in Tims Dairy have certainly found one. This business is entrenched with an authenticity, great products and their Greek Cypriot heritage not only defines who they are as a family but also a business. Clear values, direct family involvement and strong governance were also apparent and they were worthy winners.”
THE HAPPY FAMILY WINNERS AT THE AWARD CEREMONY
