ADVICE SUPPORT PROTECTION Improving business productivity & profitability
WHY JOIN THE FORUM? The Forum provides you with the time and space to develop your business. The Forum offers unlimited support and advice covering: Employment law
Tax advice
Health & safety
PR & marketing
Finance & funding
General business advice
Also included is our comprehensive Management Liability insurance which covers the cost of defending claims in key areas. As the busy owner of a small business, you don’t always have time to do everything; that’s where Forum members have a big advantage over other businesses. Our members spend less time and money on compliance issues than non-member companies, as the Forum looks after all the things that get in your way, enabling you to get on with running and growing your business.
WHAT IS THE FORUM? The Forum of Private Business was founded in 1977 as a not-for profit membership organisation which supports small, private and family firms who need to comply, but don’t have their own internal HR and Legal teams. All our profits go back into providing better services and support for our members.
OUR MEMBERS Our members are business owners, covering many different industries, who don’t necessarily have the internal expertise or resources to manage the more complex compliance aspects of their business. With our advice and support, Forum members spend at least 15% less on dealing with employment law issues than other businesses. A Forum member’s average spend on external support for employment disputes is £630. A non-member would pay £3,952. Forum members spend 27% less time on health and safety issues than non-members. Forum members spend considerably less than the average company spend of £6,570 in dealing with tax investigations. Our members have the trust and confidence that they can withstand any traumatic event they are faced by having access to all the support and expertise they require whenever they need it.
ADVICE Whatever business problem you have, we’re here to help. We provide a helpline and offer advice covering all aspect of business. For any specialist, regulatory, compliance or corporate governance issues we will put you in touch with our expert legal team. You have access to our vast partner network, business funding, business efficiency, healthcare, PR and pensions.
SUPPORT Forum membership means you can get on with the day-today running of your business as we are here to support you through any areas you are unsure of. As part of our membership we provide the following resources to help support and inform your business. Comprehensive guides on Employment, Health and Safety, Compliance, Start-Up and an Ethical workbook giving you updated, comprehensive information on procedures, rules and regulations that are critical to the successful running of a small business. Mini guides providing business advice on a wide range of topics. Business editable templates that are easy to understand, comply with the law, and are designed to save you valuable time. The Member Forum – a place for members to discuss their issues with one another, relieving some of the burden owners of small businesses carry. Forum Marketplace – where Forum members can come together and connect online to share ideas and discuss business issues.
PROTECTION As a member of the Forum of Private Business, you are covered by a leading insurance policy, which has been negotiated to provide your business with comprehensive protection against the most common legal pitfalls experienced by businesses. The insurance covers: Employment disputes
Contract disputes
Health and safety
Jury service
Tax investigation
Personal injury
Directors & principal officers liability cover
Wrongful arrest defence
WHY ARE WE THE BEST AT THIS? 2017 was the year we celebrated our 40th anniversary. We’re proud to be able to bring over 40 years of trusted, valued advice and experience to our members. We are a not-for-profit business which means that every penny we make simply goes back into providing better products and services for our members. We are a respected and valued champion for small businesses and influence small business policy on our members’ behalf and talk directly to decisionmakers in UK Government.
“Being part of the Forum has allowed me to concentrate on the day-to-day running of my business. This has given me invaluable time with my customers encouraging them to enjoy the experience of the Tap and Bottle. It means that I can forget about all the things a businessman would sit behind a desk to do ultimately allowing me to spend time doing the parts of the job I enjoy most!” Rick Hoskins, Tap & Bottle.
“I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Forum of Private Business to other organisations. Their friendliness and professionalism is outstanding and they are always there to support you and point you in the right direction” Paul O’leary, Bright Futures.
FORUM START-UP MEMBERSHIP At the Forum, we know how important it is to support new business start-ups in the early years of their operation, as over 90% fail in the first three years of trading. It is critical to have the right advice, support and protection in place and that means more than just the average one size fits all business advice that is currently out there. Most new business owners find that, after a few months trading, they come up against things they didn’t know and need help to overcome them. The Forum Start-up Membership is available for businesses that are in the start-up phase of one year or less and have zero employees. We will provide support when you need it through our legal partner and you’ll benefit from immediate access to our Forum partner network, customisable employment and health and safety templates, business resources and an exclusive closed group discussion network forum. Our membership advisors are available to guide you through the challenges you potentially could face. We work closely with many business industries and pride ourselves on ensuring we understand the challenges our members face on a day-to-day basis.
LAUNCH & GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE FORUM Membership includes: FREE Forum digital start-up guide worth £150* FREE comprehensive legal expense insurance worth approximately £175** FREE access to our partner network resources FREE access to download resources and mini guides to help with setting up your business Discounted company registration services Unlimited 24/7 members helpline with practical advice, support and protection*** Member’s portal with a private discussion forum
GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE BEST CHANCE TO SUCCEED * Membership pricing displayed is exclusive of VAT and will be added at checkout. Forum Start-up Membership of £99 per annum is limited to a start-up business in their initial first 3 years of trading. Standard Forum membership prices will become applicable at the end of the 3rd year or if you employ an employee, whichever comes first. Standard Forum membership is available for established businesses. Full T&C’s apply which can be found on our website. ** Annual membership covers all directors/principles; there are no hidden costs or fees. *** You must contact the member helpline before acting in any situation which might result in a tribunal to ensure your business is covered by our legal expenses insurance.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR FORUM MEMBERSHIP Our membership helpline offers advice and support on everything from legal issues to business development. Whatever the issue we’re here to help you. Access to our legal partner who is able to advise our members on a wide range of legal and HR issues as well as everyday business matters. Management liability insurance which covers: Employment disputes
Criminal prosecutions
Health & safety disputes
Statutory license protection
Prosecutions
Property disputes
Tax investigations
Jury service
Contractual disputes
Personal injury
Director & officers liability
Wrongful arrest
Access to our Forum partner network. Get leading expert advice on funding, business efficiency, company formation, corporate health care, PR and much more. Access to FREE exclusive mini guides and templates along with regular newsletters and legislation updates. Comprehensive range of detailed business guides covering all aspects of employment, health & safety, compliance, business start-ups and business ethics.* *Terms and conditions apply. Please see our website for full details fpb.org.
JOIN US TODAY FROM £99* Forum membership is the best decision you can make for your business. Contact us to see how we can help. No. of Employees Membership price*
Start-ups
0
1–10
11–30
31–50
51–100
100+
£99*
£150
£275
£375
£450
£550
POA
* Membership pricing displayed is exclusive of VAT. Forum Start-up Membership of £99 per annum is limited to a start-up business in their initial first 3 years of trading. Forum membership price will become applicable at the end of the 3rd year or if you employ an employee, whichever comes first. Annual membership covers all directors/principles; there are no hidden costs or fees. Terms and conditions apply.
For more information on how we can help your business simply contact our helpline team:
01565 626001 www.fpb.org info@fpb.org
Making Business Better For more information on how we can help your business simply contact our helpline team on 01565 626001, visit our website www.fpb.org or email us info@fpb.org.
The Forum app is available for download from the App Store and on Google Play.
Forum of Private Business Ltd Ruskin Chambers, Drury Lane Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6HA SP09/18