Ray White family awarded EY recognition

The Ray White Group has been named as Australia’s inaugural winner of the Family Business Award at the 2015 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards.

The EY award IS handed out in over 20 countries to recognise family businesses that have successfully managed to grow and transition the business through multiple generations.

The award, introduced this year to Australia, went to Brian White, joint chairman representing the Ray White Group.

EY gathered information on all the large family businesses in Australia which are in the third or later generation of ownership.

“The wonderful thing about this award is the recognition that across Australia, what we have done over four generations has been something worthy of acknowledgment,” said Brian White.

“This award has been in existence in Europe for some years, where family businesses have been in operation for generations.”

Tony Johnson, EY Oceania managing partner and CEO said family businesses face unique challenges.

“The White family has navigated these challenges with great success for three generations.

"Ray White Group is a testament to the economic and social value that entrepreneurial families contribute,” he said.

“EY’s recognition that we have really attempted to preserve family values through succeeding across generations is fantastic for our company,” said Brian White.

“Our company is a collection of families, and together we represent family values ­ which is was critical in the assessment of the inaugural winner.”

“It is a thrill to hear stories from people joining our company that one of the reasons they chose to join Ray White is the fact that we are a strong family owned and led company.

The award has seen winners from some of the world’s biggest companies including Bibby Line Group, LEGO, Faber­Castell, Sattler and Messer Group.