Regional law firm Birketts has launched a search to identify the oldest family firms in East Anglia.

Birketts. which is also sponsor of the Family Business category of the EADT Business Awards, is working with the Family Business United organisation to recognise and promote the key role the sector plays in the UK economy.

James Austin, head of the family business team at Birketts, said: “Family firms are the true bastions of the British economy and should be recognised for the contribution they have made over the years.

“The research is looking to uncover those family businesses, large and small, which have been at the heart of the East Anglia economy for many years.

“With so many multi-generational family firms in the region, we are sure that we will discover some great businesses which can be used to further champion the contribution of family firms in our region to the wider UK economy. We look forward to uncovering the oldest family businesses in the region.”

Paul Andrews, managing director of Family Business United, added: “The contribution that family firms have made over the years in terms of revenue generation, employment, contribution to GDP and tax revenues, not to mention their support of the communities in which they operate should not go unnoticed and we are keen to identify family businesses of all sectors and sizes to compile the oldest in the region.”

Separate lists of the oldest family firms will be compiled for Suffolk and Norfolk. To take part in the research, send an email with the name of the family firm, the year in which it was founded and a short description of what the business does to paul@familybusinessunited.co.uk .

: : To enter the EADT Business Awards, visit www.eadtbusinessawards.co.uk .