Looking for someone who can help with your business?

Business Eye

A service that provides Welsh companies with free advice for a whole range of business issues, Business Eye currently operates in 30 centres across Wales.

 

Tel: 0845 796 9798

 

Website: www.businesseye.org

Business Link

Business Link is a service that provides advice, support and information. It is funded by the government and managed by the DTI. It aims to help new and existing businesses develop and progress by guaranteeing that they can quickly and easily access and benefit from the greatest range of public, private and voluntary business support services.

 

Tel: 0845 600 9006

 

Website: www.businesslink.gov.uk

Enterprise Agencies

Guidance for new businesses on key areas of starting up and running a business, including business training and planning. Signpost other sources of advice and information where they cannot help directly. For more information about your local enterprise agency, contact the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies.

 

Tel: 01234 831623

 

Website: www.nfea.com

Chambers of Commerce

The national voice of local business providing a range of services providing a variety of services including international trade, information, training, and cost-effective commercial services with generous member discounts. For more information about your local Chambers of Commerce contact the British Chambers of Commerce.

 

Tel: James Brace on 024 76 482 532

 

Website: www.chamberonline.co.uk

The Prince’s Trust

Helping 18-30 year olds, who want to start up in business, through business planning, low interest loans, grants, mentors and other support.

 

Tel: 0800 842 842

 

Website: www.princes-trust.org.uk

Institute of Managers

With over 86,000 members, the Institute of Managers is Europe’s biggest professional organisation for managers. Access is provided to a exclusive range of services designed to help, advise and support managers from all areas including business start-ups.

 

Tel: 01536 207454

 

Website: www.inst-mgt.org.uk

Institute of Directors

Concentrating only on the needs of directors, partners or sole traders, the organisation offers members free valuable business information and professional advice, specialist training, professional development, courses and conferences.

 

Tel: 020 7839 1233

 

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)

The HMRC supplies practical business information on Income Tax, Capital Allowances and expenses. It also provides information on importing, exporting Customs Duty, Excise Duty and VAT. You can contact your local tax office by looking in the telephone directory under Government Departments

 

Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk

Local Authorities

Your local authority can offer help and advice on a wide array of local concerns, including local bylaws, planning requirements and public services. You can find their contact details in the telephone directory.

 

Website: www.gov.uk

Health & Safety Executive (HSE)

HSE provides businesses with information and guidance on health and safety in the work place.

 

Tel: 0870 154 5500

 

Website: www.hse.gov.uk

Office of Data Protection

The Office of Data Protection supplies your business with important information on data protection registration requirements.

 

Tel: 01625 545745

 

Website: www.lcd.gov.uk

Trading Associations

The Trading Associations offers industry-specific information and training covering areas such as production techniques, legal requirements and industry-wide standards.

 

Tel: 020 7395 8283

 

Website: www.tarforum.org

Companies House

Accountable for retaining records on companies and making this information available to the public, Companies House also offers advice on statutory obligations of company directors, such as filing annual returns and accounts.

 

Tel: 0870 333 3636

 

Website: www.companies-house.gov.uk

PRIME

The only National Organisation committed to helping people aged over 50 to start up a business. They supply start-up support and loans through a network of partners supporting the over 50’s.

 

Tel: 0800 783 1904

 

Website: www.primeinitiative.org.co.uk

Prowess

A UK-wide membership organisation offering training, consultancy, networking and information on women’s enterprise support. They can put women in touch with expert business support in the area.

 

Tel: 01603 762355

 

Website: www.prowess.org.uk

Trading Standards Institute

The trading Standards Institute gives advice on consumer protection legislation in relation to the safety and quality of goods, and how to comply with these requirements. Your local authority can direct you towards your Local Trading Standards Department.

 

Website: www.tradingstandards.gov.uk

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACAA)

The largest and fastest growing international accounting organisation, with over 320,000 students and members in 160 countries. Over half of ACCA’s members are either working or service SMEs and it is a leading adviser in the small business world.

 

Website: www.accaglobal.com

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)

The institute is the largest accountancy body in Europe with over 124,000 members working in business and public practice in 142 different countries. Over 15,000 members live and work outside the UK and the Institute’s qualification is recognised around the world as a prestigious professional business qualification. Members of the Institute are permitted to the description Chartered Accountant and to the designatory letters of ACA or FCA, subject to experience and length of membership.

 

Tel: 020 7920 8100

 

Website: www.icaew.co.uk

Community of Development and Finance Institutions (CDFIs)

CDFIs concentrate mainly on disadvantaged communities or under-served markets. They provide finance and business advice for small, micro and social enterprises. They can also signpost to other providers of advice and information.

 

Tel: 020 7430 0222

 

Website: www.cdfa.org.uk

Lawyers for Your Business

Lawyers for Your Business is an association of 1,000 solicitors’ firms giving legal help and advice to small and medium sized businesses throughout England and Wales. Lawyers for Your Business is run by The Law Society and offers firms an initial free half hour consultation with a solicitor who specialises in business law and a range of free business advice guides.

 

Tel: 020 7405 9075