Federation of Small Businesses - Hertfordshire Branch
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is the UK’s largest business organization. Its strength is in its members - now over 205,000 of them, supporting the lobbying and campaigning to promote and protect the interests of the self-employed and small businesses.
Founded in 1974 by a businessman to oppose a new class of National Insurance tax, the FSB has grown with ever-accelerating speed as its lobbying successes and practical benefits have become known and appreciated.
Non-profit-making and non-party political, the FSB offers assistance and support 24 hours a day, while its lobbying arm - led by its Parliamentary office in Westminster - applies pressure on MPs, Government and Whitehall, lobbies politicians in their constituencies and puts over the small business viewpoint to the media.
One of the major benefits is the 24-hour FSB legal helpline, which received over 100,000 calls last year, many of them homing in on employment, commercial contracts, property leasing, and consumer affairs. FSB members can call the Helpline on any legal matter.
In recent years there has been a deluge of employment legislation. Employment tribunal activity has increased significantly and so too have costs, time, complexity and awards. Small businesses have continued to be targeted for investigation by the Inland Revenue, PAYE and VAT authorities. The Federation’s Legal Benefits Package offers help, guidance from Revenue-trained specialists and insurance protection for businesses faced with defending such claims.
The members’ website has access to a large library of information and documentation on employment, tax and commercial law, as well as sample commercial letters and forms.
Among many other benefits, FSB service providers offer members a very strong merchant card contract (including short term hire for shows etc.), ongoing free business banking, and an insurance advice service from the Towergate Partnership.
The FSB’s large membership sustains excellent prices on business services such as finance for business, telecoms, factoring, mobile terminals and many other essentials. Many businesses save the cost of their membership year on year through FSB discounts.
The FSB now also has representatives on the Small Business Council, the UK body created to ensure that the small business voice is heard at the "heart" of government.
In Hertfordshire there are two Branches of experienced business members who volunteer to run meetings and help members, representing small businesses in many local consultations, and organizing information and networking events.
FSB Hertfordshire are sponsors of the Small Business category of the Hertfordshire Business Awards, in tribute to the exciting benchmark achieved for any small business in reaching the finals of these awards.
FSB Hertfordshire has recently achieved its 3000th member, and is one of the most vibrant and fastest-growing FSB branches in the UK.
We welcome all SMEs in Hertfordshire and say, come and find out about us. You may be in for a big surprise.
Good luck to all entrants in the Herts Business Awards - to be here is a part of your achievement.
For more information about the FSB, please call 01253 336000, or look up our website on www.fsb.org.uk