Cambridge Cluster

Image via Wikipedia Two big family businesses in Cambridge are the Marshall Group and Scotsdales Garden Centre. And they have something in common – both are asset very rich but their trading companies are worth a lot less than their very precious sites.

Marshalls was founded in 1909 and is now employs 3,500 people servicing military aircraft and selling cars amongst many other activities.  The Marshall family invest as angel investors in Cambridge Cluster companies according to 363s filed at Companies House.  A recent Daily Telegraph article values the business at £633million but this must exclude the value of the airport which dominates the East of Cambridge.  Marshalls are under pressure to move and release the valuable building land.  Marshalls is now in the third generation and I wonder if any of family shareholders are looking for cash.

I met the lovely Caroline, I think her surname is Owen, at CRUFC and she is responsible for building the impressive Scotsdale business on land which I understand is owned by her Father.  I think that she owns the busines with her Father.  So another Passive Equity Company which has been well managed over the years.  Again the site south east of Cambridge would have enourmous development potential for houses or a supermarket.

It must be fun building up these companies over the generations but I wonder if they ever feel guilty about not sharing the equity when it comes to the sale – I suppose that is always the challenge for the next generation.

The generous Caroline, Scotsdales sponsors many activities in Cambridge including CRUFC, and had the committee members looking after her.

I suppose it is all the same as Dyson – what will happen when JD retirees?  Dyson is different from the other two as they have moved manufactuing to the East.  But in all three cases how do you attract top people and how and when do you sell?

At least you do not need an Equity Fingerprint in your business plan!