One of the UK’s leading genealogy companies, Family Wise, has been named among the UK’s 100 most inspiring businesses for 2025 by the Small Business Saturday campaign. The Wiltshire-based firm helps people & organisations to explore their heritage

One of the UK’s leading genealogy companies, Family Wise, has been named as one of the UK’s 100 most inspiring small businesses for 2025 by the Small Business Saturday campaign.  

Family Wise, founded by Kirsty Gray and based in the town of Calne in Wiltshire has been selected as part of this year’s SmallBiz100 line-up, which showcases the most innovative and admired small businesses across the nation, as part of the count-down to Small Business Saturday on December 6. 

Running for over a decade, Small Business Saturday is the UK’s most successful small business campaign, which encourages the public to support and spend with independent firms throughout the autumn, winter and over Christmas.  

“We’re delighted to have been selected this year as one of many amazing UK small businesses as part of this annual campaign,” Kirsty said. 

“We are an unusual High Street business! We take pride in being part of our community in Calne and also nationally and internationally in showing that heritage plays an important role in our everyday lives.” 

Family Wise will be profiled by the campaign on Monday September 22 as part of the 100-day countdown to Small Business Saturday UK.  

“Small businesses are the nation’s favourite businesses – bringing immeasurable value to our local communities and powering the wider economy,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK.   

“Firms like Family Wise represent some of the UK’s most-loved small businesses. It is so important we encourage public support for small businesses up and down the country, as many are still facing a host of challenges as they enter this critical final stretch of the year.” 

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots non-commercial campaign that was originally founded by American Express in the U.S. in 2010, and the brand remains the campaign’s principal supporter in the UK. 

Dan Edelman, General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, said: “We are proud to champion the UK’s small businesses. Congratulations to this year’s SmallBiz100, which once again showcases the incredible vibrancy and innovation of small firms and the valuable contribution they make to local communities.” 

Since the campaign started, millions of people have been involved and billions of pounds spent with small businesses across the UK on Small Business Saturday itself.  

On Saturday December 6, many small businesses will be hosting events and offering promotions.  The Family Wise team will be no different. Family Wise will be opening the office for visitors to come in and experience what we do. Visitors will have the chance to meet our case managers, take advantage of exclusive promotions, and hear some of the incredible stories we’ve uncovered over the past 13 years! 

Last year, the campaign saw support from the Prime Minister and the Mayor of London, as well as the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Over 90% of local councils also supported the campaign, which trended across social media on the day.  To learn more about Small Business Saturday’s SmallBiz100, visit https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com