The pages below this in the menu offer a range of links to on-line information and advice and related start-up resources.
These links are provided for your convenience and do not indicate an endorsement of the organisations.
Links – Advertising & Marketing
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Direct Marketing Association |
The leading voice for the direct marketing industry. | www.dma.org.uk |
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Institute of Direct Marketing |
Help with selecting a direct marketing agency if you need one. | www.theidm.com |
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Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) |
Help in selecting an advertising agency if you need one. | www.ipa.co.uk |
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Market Research Society |
World’s largest international membership organisation for professional researchers. | www.mrs.org.uk |
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The Advertising Association |
Promoting and protecting the rights, responsibilities and roles of advertising. | www.adassoc.org.uk |
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The Chartered Institute of Marketing |
Sets policy for marketing organisations. | www.cim.co.uk |
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The Institute of Public Relations |
Help in selecting a PR firm if you need one. | www.ipr.org.uk www.cipr.co.uk |
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The Institute of Sales Promotion |
Trade association for organisations involved in Promotional Marketing. | www.isp.org.uk |
Links – Advice & Information
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ACAS – Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service |
For employment dispute issues | |
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Better Payment Practice Group |
Online guide on late payment issues | |
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British Bankers’ Association |
The voice of the banking industry for all banks who operate within the UK | |
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BSI Group |
Information on inspection standards, product testing, Kitemark accreditation | |
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Business Eye/Llygad Busnes (Wales) |
Business advice for Welsh businesses | |
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Business Gateway (Scotland) |
Advice for businesses in Scotland | |
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Business Link |
An easy-to-use service providing practical advice | |
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Community Development Finance Association (cdfa) |
Tailored and hands-on financial support to small businesses that need extra help | |
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Companies House |
Makes available (for a fee) company accounts, but also maintains a list (freely accessible) of disqualified directors | |
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Companies Limited |
Fee-based help to register a UK Limited company | |
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Customs and Excise Information |
General advice on overseas trade statistics | |
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Disability Rights Commission |
An independent body established to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people | |
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Franchise Information |
Comprehensive source of franchising information | |
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Get Safe Online |
A joint government and private sector venture initiative aimed at helping consumers and small businesses use the internet safely | |
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Grants and Support Directory |
Search for potential sources of help with starting up, running or developing your business | |
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Health and Safety Executive |
For information on health and safety compliance | |
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HM Revenue & Customs |
For information on income tax, capital allowance, National Insurance, customs and excise duty and VAT | |
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Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys |
Professional body for Trade Mark attorneys in the UK | |
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The Lending Code |
The Lending Code sets minimum standards of good practice that banks, building societies and credit card providers should follow when dealing with personal and micro-enterprise customers. | |
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NFEA |
For advice on key areas of setting up your business | |
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Patent office |
Responsible for intellectual property in the UK | |
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PERA |
Provides businesses with help to develop technological solutions and strategies | |
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Reduce the Use |
Bringing small businesses into the environment | |
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Scottish Enterprise Agency |
Help for businesses in Scotland | |
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Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative |
Aims to increase the success of small business through access to learning assistance and improving standards of support provision | |
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The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) |
A leading adviser in the small business community | |
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The Chartered Institute of Patent Agents. |
Help to find a patent agent if you need to patent a product | |
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The Information Commissioner |
An independent official appointed by the Crown to oversee the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 | |
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The Patent Office |
Offers an accessible service for granting intellectual property rights | |
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The Prince’s Trust |
Supports 18-30-year-olds wishing to start businesses through low-interest loans, business planning, grants and mentors | |
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The Telegraph Business Club |
Promotes best practice for growing businesses through up-to-the-minute articles and case studies | |
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UK Trade & Investment |
Government organisation that supports companies in the UK doing business internationally and overseas enterprises seeking to set up or expand in the UK |
Links – Business Banking
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Barclays – Business Banking |
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Co-operative Bank – Business Banking |
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HSBC – Business Banking |
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Lloyds TSB – Business Banking |
Links – Business Support Organisations
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Aurora Women’s Network |
Support for women owned businesses. | |
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British Chamber of Commerce |
Management support for all business through local Chambers of Commerce. | |
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British Franchise Association |
Will help you to make a more informed choice about franchising. | |
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British Venture Capital Association |
Represents virtually every major source of UK venture capital. Advises on how to go about getting venture capital and who to approach. | |
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Confederation of British Industry |
Major UK industry body. More for big business, but useful source of business surveys and other information. | |
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European Federation of Black Women Business Owners |
Champions black women business owners. | |
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Factors and Discount Association |
Online introduction to factoring, discounting and asset based finance. | |
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Federation of Small Business |
General help for small business through membership. | |
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Forum of Private Business |
Small business advice and support. | |
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Home Business Alliance |
Information and advice about running a business from your home. | |
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Institute of Business Advisers |
Free online service which helps small firms to search for business advisers in their region. | |
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Institute of Directors |
Membership organisation for company directors of larger companies, useful information section and London meeting room facilities. | |
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Small Business Bureau |
Works closely with opinion formers in the UK and Europe in pressing for change, ensuring that the voice of the SME sector is heard. | |
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The Forum of Private Business |
Lobbies to create a better political and economic environment for small and medium sized businesses in the UK. | |
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The Institute of Chartered Accountants |
Professional body for accountants and other help in selecting one in your area. | |
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Women in Rural Enterprise |
Networking and business club set up to help women in rural enterprises. |
Links – Company Formations
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UK Company Formation and Registration Services |
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UK Company Formations |
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UK Company Formations – 24 / 7 |
Links – Government Departments
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COI Communications |
Features all government press releases. | |
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Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform |
This site has a section on small businesses with good statistical information. | |
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Department for Transport |
Set up to provide a stronger focus on delivering the Government’s transport strategy. | |
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Department of Education and Skills |
Information and advice on how to achieve your potential through learning. | |
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Department of Work and Pensions |
Responsible for the Government’s welfare reform agenda. | |
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Food Standards Agency |
Government Agency protecting the public’s health and consumer interests in relation to food. | |
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Foreign and Commonwealth Office |
Latest news and briefing papers about foreign policy. | |
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Foresight Knowledge Pool |
Looks at possible future needs, opportunities and threats and builds bridges between business, science and government. | |
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Government Search Facility |
Search for topics throughout all Government websites. | |
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HM Treasury |
Information about the UK economy, including comparisons of independent forecasts and general economic indicators. | |
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Office of the Deputy Prime Minister |
Responsible for policy on housing, planning, regional and local government and the fire service. Also takes responsibility for the Social Exclusion Unit, the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit and the Government Offices for the Regions. |
Links – Government Agencies
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Business Link’s – Guides to Tax |
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Careers Advice – Job & Career Profiles |
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HMRC – Business Education & Support Team |
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HMRC – Starting in Business |
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The Intellectual Property Office |
Links – Young Entrepreneurs
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The National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) |
Organisation devoted to increasing the number of enterprising graduate businesses and changing university culture. | |
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Princes Trust |
Details about getting involved in the scheme, which helps 14 – 30 year olds, improve skills, confidence and ambition. | |
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Shell LiveWIRE |
Information about a scheme which helps to develop the businesses of 16 – 30 year olds. |