Diary

For family businesses that are worried about succession, here’s a date for your diary – 17 April. That’s the day when Jim Perdue of family-run Perdue will give his insights into what makes a good succession plan.

The event is taking place at Wake Forest University Family Business Center, in North Carolina, US.

Everyone knows Italians take fashion seriously. So it should come as no surprise that the country’s national sailing team will wear clothing designed by one of Italy’s most famous fashion houses at the Olympic Games in London this summer.

Family-controlled Prada announced this week that it will create the outfits for both the athletes and the technical staff, as part of its sponsorship agreement with Federvela, the Italian sailing federation.

He may look a little young for his age, but Cicciobello, the iconic doll made by Italian family-controlled Giochi Preziosi, has just turned 50 years old.

The Cicciobello doll, which was first produced in 1962, typically has blonde hair, blue eyes and a dummy. But what makes the toy, initially made by Sebine Bambole, quite unique is that it was one of the first dolls to cry and crawl.

It was later acquired by Giochi Preziosi, the Milan-based toy manufacturer controlled by the Preziosi family, and rapidly became Italy’s most popular doll.

As St Patrick’s Day celebrations kick off across the world today, spare a thought for the locals in the Irish town of Blarney.

Their celebrations were put in jeopardy after Charles Colthurst, whose family has owned the village green since the 18th century, pulled the plug on the space being used to hold a farmers and craft market.

Colthurst also owns Blarney Castle, home of the famous Blarney Stone – renowned for giving those who kiss it the gift of the gab.