Another is the creation of a £30m voucher scheme to encourage firms to get expansion advice. In his second report to the prime minister – entitled Growing Your Business – former trade and employment secretary Lord Young also suggests a greater role for business schools in the local economy.

‘Raise aspirations’

Lord Young’s report focuses on micro businesses – those which have less than 10 employees, and which make up 95% of all businesses in the UK. ”We have one of the best environments in the world for the creation of new firms,” he said. ”What this report endeavours to do is to help and encourage all those new firms to now take on their first employees and grow. ”Growing our smallest businesses would transform our economy – they are the vital 95%.

“If just half of the UK’s micro businesses took on an additional member of staff, unemployment would be reduced to almost zero. We need to raise the aspirations and confidence of these businesses and give them the tools to grow.” There should also be better marketing of government schemes to support new and developing businesses, he says.

‘Wealth creators’

Hayley Conboy, CBI principal policy adviser for enterprise, said Lord Young had rightly identified that the government “needs to earmark funding to effectively market existing finance and support schemes”. And the British Chambers of Commerce said small firms needed support and encouragement. Dr Adam Marshall, director of policy at the BCC said: “Small and micro businesses will only be able to fulfil their full potential once measures are put in place to help them access the finance, skills and services they need to grow. ”Lord Young has identified a number of these measures in his report and we are pleased to see him address the problem of access to finance which is still hurting the growth potential of many firms.”But the focus must now be on getting these proposals off the ground so they can actually make a real difference to the business community, and in turn, drive the economic recovery.

13/5/13 BBC

Two years on from the ground-breaking review in 2011, Lord Davies and his review panel report a growing number of women in decision-making roles. There continues to be good progress made with greater female representation in the boardroom of the UK’s top companies and a growing recognition of the benefits gained by business, the economy and wider society.

Lord Davies said: The onus was firmly placed on business to bring about this necessary change, and I am pleased to say that evidence clearly shows that they have, and are, stepping up and responding. They are making real efforts to find and appoint capable women to their boards. We are now moving to a place where it is unacceptable for the voice of women to be absent from the boardroom.

This has never been a hard sell. Companies see that having more women at their top table makes good business sense, especially if we are operating in a global market. We’ve come a long way over the last two years but we must not get complacent and take the foot off the gas.

This has always been a business-led approach with the support of government. If we are to fend off the prospect of quotas and regulation then business cannot rest on their laurels and think the job is done.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: The argument for more women in our boardrooms is clear – they bring fresh perspectives and ideas, talent and broader experience which leads to better decision-making. This is not just about equality at the top of our companies. It is about good business sense.Some progress has been made in the last three years. Today 94 of the FTSE 100 companies count women on their boards as do over two thirds of all FTSE 350 companies. However, the momentum appears to be slowing and there has been much less progress in executive appointments at the top. Government continues to believe that a voluntary led approach is the best way forward. But today’s report also serves as a timely reminder to business that quotas are still a real possibility if we do not meet the 25% target of women on boards of FTSE 100 companies by 2015.

Minister for Women and Equalities Maria Miller said: It is more important than ever that we make the most of the talents and skills that women have to offer if we’re going maximise Britain’s prospects for economic growth. We are making good progress; two thirds of women are in work, the gender pay gap is closing and both Lord Davies’ and Cranfield’s reports indicate that we are heading in the right direction when it comes to women’s representation at senior levels. But there is much more work to do. The priority now is to maintain that momentum, not only within listed companies but across the economy as a whole. Our equalities agenda isn’t solely about women in the boardroom. It’s also about unlocking the untapped potential of women at all levels in the workforce, getting more women into work, priming the talent pipeline and bringing sustained benefit to the British economy in the longer term.

As of 1 March 2013 the figures show within the FTSE 100:  women now account for 17.3 per cent of all directorships, up from 10.5 per cent in 2010 women have accounted for 34 per cent of all board appointments (45 out of 134 appointments) there are currently 94 boards with female representation there are now 192 women directors on FTSE 100 boards out of a total of 1,110.

In the FTSE 250 the figures show:women now account for 13.2 per cent of directorships, up from in 6.7 per cent in 2010 women have accounted for 26 per cent of board appointments there are currently 183 boards with female representation for the second year running, all-male boards are in the minority at 26.8 per cent.

Between 2008 and 2010, the number of women directors had effectively plateaued, stalling at less than a single percentage point rise year-on-year. Since work began on this area ago the percentage of female board appointments has increased by nearly 50%.

Secretary of State Vince Cable wrote to the remaining all-male FTSE 100 boards in January asking them what steps they were taking to increase the diversity in their boardrooms. Today he has also written to the remaining all-male boards in the FTSE 250.

Cranfield School of Management’s Female FTSE Report, also published today, notes that progress with the Women on Boards agenda in the FTSE 100 has stalled over the last six months. It does, however note that the UK is on target to meet Lord Davies’ recommendation from his original report that the UK should have 25% women on FTSE 100 boards by 2015.

10/04/13 Source Gov.UK

HMRC says that RTI will provide a much needed update for PAYE, which was introduced when Winston Churchill was Prime Minister

Rachel Andrews, payroll specialist at the Forum of Private Business (FPB) said: “If I had any last-minute advice for businesses, it would be to have everything ready to go. So employee addresses, date of birth and the correct NI number. The date of birth is more important now than previously. It has to be correct.”

She has spent the last two years working with HM Revenue & Customs on a pilot scheme for Real Time Information (RTI), the “son” of PAYE.

From Saturday employers will have to provide information to HMRC every time they pay an employee rather than annually. HMRC says employers will benefit from much simpler requirements for PAYE information, with the abolition of the extensive annual tax return.

HMRC insists that trials of the system have gone well and that the all-important software programs are operating smoothly. But with uncertainty about the state of preparedness among the smallest businesses, HMRC is providing breathing space for employers with fewer than 50 employees. They will be allowed to submit monthly rather than daily reports until October.

The concession has had the embarrassing knock-on effect of delaying the introduction of Universal Credit, the single payment at the heart of the Government’s contentious welfare reforms.

08/04/13  Source telegraph 

ibd has linked up with accountancy firm Mazars in a two way deal. ibd will be providing Mazars with access to its 200 plus Business Advisers for its clients to get Business advice and information across the whole range of business issue and Mazars will be providing ibd clients with access to their Small Business and Specialist Accountancy as well as Auditing for larger companies.

Mazars is not only ranked as the ninth largest UK partnership by audit fee income, but we are also one of Europe’s largest accounting firms with a huge global presence.They  work with a wide range of clients – from individuals to local businesses to large corporate companies and global organisations – across many sectors.

Mazars works with a range of clients – from large corporate companies to owner-managed and entrepreneurial businesses and individuals. Mazars combine the personal touch of a smaller firm with the big experience of the very largest. Each client gets partner-led attention, whatever their size. And the experience and expertise of our specialist market teams.

Find out more about Mazars’ offerings by sector by clicking on the links below

•  Public sector, PPP & PFI
• Professional practices
• Not for profit
• Private individuals
• Mid corporate
• Listed and large corporate
• Owner-managed Businesses (OMB)

Owner-managed Businesses (OMB)

“The support that we’ve received from Mazars has been extremely powerful. They’ve taken time to understand exactly what we do and have provided the right advice at the right time. Their approach has been particularly refreshing and has given us an excellent platform to move forward.” David Ross, Managing Director, KeyCare (insurers against the loss of house and car keys)

Whether you’re just getting started, facing changes brought about by rapid growth or succession, restructuring or working towards a listing, Mazars  provide the support you need to help your business grow and increase shareholder value.

Mazars provides audit and assurance, tax and a range of advisory services to support owner-managed and entrepreneurial businesses at every stage of development. We work with businesses of varying size across a range of sectors, including some of the UK’s fastest growing entrepreneurial businesses according to The Sunday Times Fast Track league table.

Mazars also invest in the sector. Mazars sponsors and contributes to the Growing Business Handbook. We also sponsor a special report into High Expectation Growth Entrepreneurship published by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor.

It has now collapsed by almost 70pc since its peak in the third quarter of 2009, the latest lending figures show. Despite this weak showing, Business Secretary Vince Cable has included the initiative in his plans for the state Business Bank, which will bring billions of pounds of aid together in a “one stop shop” to help small firms secure finance. A wider range of finance providers will be brought in to offer the EFG, following fears that it is not being well presented locally by the main high street banks. The scheme is also being adapted to provide £30m of Government trade credit guarantees. A trial will see wholesale customers of DIY retailer Kingfisher offered credit accounts of up to £50,000 to buy materials.

A further adaptation will see the EFG extended to support businesses simply lacking a track record and that are seeking loans of less than £25,000.The EFG was introduced in 2009 and sees the Government act as guarantor on 75pc of individual bank loans of between £1,000 and £1m. It was originally designed to assist companies that have viable business proposals but no security to offer against a loan. Independent research commissioned by the Government has found the EFG remains a “viable” initiative, yet a range of previous measures aimed at arresting the decline of the scheme have failed. Philip White, chief executive of asset-based lender Syscap, said the Government was right not to “give up just yet on the scheme” and that the performance could be “turned around by enabling a wider range of lenders to utilise [it].” Separately, Camden Council in north London is trialling a scheme to lend local authority cash to the area’s small businesses through peer-to-peer platform Funding Circle. The website directly links savers with small businesses seeking finance. Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said he wants another 10 Labour-controlled local authorities to join the initiative.

James Meekings co-founder of Funding Circle said: “This innovative partnership will see Council funds driven into the heart of the business community in Camden, helping to drive growth and create jobs at an important time. We hope that other London councils will be inspired to use initiatives like this and follow Camden’s example.”

28/3/13 Source Telegraph

Tim Davies, UK head of tax at Mazars cautiously welcomes measures intended to help businesses and individuals in today’s Budget.

Given the limited resources available to the Chancellor, we are encouraged by the new measures introduced to help boost UK businesses and provide breaks for individuals and families. He had little room to play with, but on the face of it he seems to have been able to pull something out of the hat for most people. However, while we cautiously welcome most of what was announced today, it is a shame that a number of groups the measures are intended to benefit will have to wait at least 12 months before they can take advantage of them.

The reduction in the headline rate of corporation tax from April 2015 will boost the appeal of the UK as a place for international business. It may be later than some businesses had hoped for, but overall, it’s a very welcome measure. It will also be easier to administer because of the scrapping of the small profits rate.

We also welcome the enhanced above the line R&D credit for large companies to further support innovation in the UK which demonstrates continued commitment to innovation, which is critical to the future success of UK plc.

The package of measures aimed at smaller businesses, including the extension of the CGT break for SEIS investment, the potential reliefs for CGT exemption for disposal to employees, and the already announced amendment of the extension of entrepreneurs’ relief to EMI options will all be appreciated.

For individuals it was interesting to see, after all the negative reaction last year, no further reference to the proposed capped reliefs rules.

While many employees will look to take advantage of the increase to £10,000 in the tax free loans their employers can make available to them, their employers may be less enthusiastic; there will be undoubtedly be a number of small and medium sized businesses who don’t have the working capital available to fund that benefit.

Click here to order your copy of Tax Facts 2013

20/03/13

Midlands World Trade Forum

Midlands World Trade Forum (MWTF), founded in 2001, is the largest networking organisation in the West Midlands for companies involved in international trade. The organisation is led by business for business and is aimed at assisting new and experienced international traders to successfully develop their overseas trade activity.

 Members receive

•        A range of free and subsidised events and training opportunities driven by the needs of members
•        One-to-One ‘Health Checks’ with our Board Members who are seasoned and experienced exporters to help develop your own strategies
•        Access to MWTF Board Members who will actively lobby on your behalf on policy matters that impact upon international trade issues
•        Regular Events Bulletins and e-shots keeping you up to date with relevant useful events/seminars for global traders
•        Quarterly “International Trader” Newsletter – an online newsletter specifically for those trading internationally
•        Member Search Facility to provide an interactive platform to connect with the MWTF community (by company name, business sector & overseas markets of over 650 West Midlands businesses)
•        Members Only Library (Glossary, FAQs, Incoterms)
•        ‘Ask the Experts’ facility where members can pose questions on international trade to MWTF board members
•      Online Polling System for current lobbying issues

-       A free legal hotline giving MWTF members access to a specified amount of legal advice and guidance

Midlands World Trade Forum – www.mwtf.org.uk

@MWTF1 – https://twitter.com/MWTF1

   Midlands World Trade Forum

Business Mapper

Business Mapper is a free to use website which helps you put your business online and monetise it for the long term. You will benefit whether you are starting a business or you run a small or medium enterprise.

UK’s online economy is faster growing than any other sector and business leaders need to learn how get a digital edge to save time, money and avoid failure in times of economic austerity. Free membership to www.businessmapper.co.uk can help bolster your online business prospects as we take you through a step by step process to:

• Develop your digital marketing plan
• Create and optimise your website
• Reach and convert your target customers using digital marketing channels and social networks
• Set up your online shop and build other online revenue streams
• Understand web analytics and to improve your return on investment

To help you gain competitive advantage online we provide insights into continuous improvement techniques based on your digital performance to date. As a bonus we signpost you to UK-friendly online suppliers and offer weekly blog posts tailored to help Start-ups and SMEs.  For more information call 0844 223660

ibd  also been appointed a Get Started partner and a Get Started centre. Get Started is a Government initiative to try and give 18 to 30 year old’s a boost to starting a  businesses.  Approved Get Started applicants get a Business Adviser who can offer The Start-up Loans Programme which aims to provide mentoring and financial support to young entrepreneurs that would not normally be available via traditional banking relationships. The loan is not credit scored it is judged on the capability of the young entrepreneur to pay the loan back. If you are a budding entrepreneurs between the age of 18 and 30 who has a business idea  then our Business Advisers are here to assist you prepare a business plan and a  cashflow forecast.

If you have a really good business then pick up the phone today and make that first step call 08448 223660

ibd  is  recognised by SFEDI and the IOEE as a training centre for mentoring and business advice for start-up companies and companies up to twelve months old.

ibd  also been appointed a Get Started partner and a Get Started centre. Get Started is a Government initiative to try and give 18 to 30 year old’s a boost to starting a  businesses. Read more………

12/03/13

Cable demands rethink on Funding for Lending scheme

Vince Cable has called for the Bank of England to conduct a review of its flagship £80bn lending scheme over fears that it is failing to improve the flow of funding to credit-starved small companies.

Telegraph 05/03/13

Preparing to operate PAYE in real time (RTI)

From 6 April 2013 employers will have to start reporting PAYE information to HMRC in real time. You may see this referred to as Real Time Information – or RTI.

This means that employers (or their accountant, bookkeeper or payroll bureau) will have to:

• send details to HMRC every time they pay an employee, at the time they pay them
• use payroll software to send this information electronically as part of their routine payroll process

For more information call the ibd help line  or go to  http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/payerti/getting-started/index.htm

ibd are proud the provide mentors for Mentorsme which is run by BIS and for the BBA

ibd offer a number of levels for mentoring

1. A free two hour meeting with a mentor to understand the business idea. Ideally this meeting should be face to face and if more action is needed as a result oif this meeting the mentor will discuss the way forward and any charges .

2.£250 for  mentoring to assist in the preparation of a business plan and a cashflow forecast plus  advice and discussion on the viability of the business.  If further support is needed then the mentor will discuss on-going support and costs.

3.Four 2 hour meetings to assist in all aspects of getting a  business off the ground. This will include all and any business assistance that they might require to make their business successful. £800

All costs are subject to VAT