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This article appeared in the York Press on Thursday, November 26, 2009

Ex-Thorntons boss lifts the lid on family firm

Family Matters: Peter Thornton

A businessman who headed up one of Britain’s greatest family ventures will impart his knowledge to the family businesses of York and North Yorkshire. Peter Thornton, the former chairman of Thorntons chocolates will be the guest speaker at a meeting for Family Business organised by chartered accountants Garbutt & Elliott.

The meeting, open to all Family Business in the region will be held at Hazlewood Castle, near Tadcaster on Tuesday December 8, at 5.30pm.

Thorntons, the well known chocolate and confectionary business, was established in Sheffield by Joseph Thornton in 1911 and is now worth about £120 million.  Joseph handed the business over to his sons, Stanley and Norman, who were determined that their own sons would follow into the firm.  Peter, the elder son of Norman, spent nearly 30 years in the family's chocolate factories and has documented his knowledge and experiences in his new book, Thorntons – my life in the family business.

Craig Manson Director and Family Business Advisor at Garbutt & Elliott comments, “We are delighted that Peter has agreed to come and speak to the Family Business group and share with us his experiences of the dynamics of the family and how they impacted on the business.  Family conflict, rivalry and the reluctance of older generations to hand over control of the business are issues we come across regularly as family business advisors and all family businesses will be able to relate to them..The evening promises to be both enjoyable and enlightening.”

Anyone who wants to attend should phone Rebecca Green on 01904 464100 or email her at rmgreen@garbutt-elliott.co.uk