The Small Business Bureau for SMEs in the UK

"Small Businesses are the Seedcorn of Britain's Future Growth."
Dr Marilyn Orcharton, Director of the Small Business Bureau.

"I am convinced Britain's economic future depends largely on smaller businesses. New jobs, new ideas and new wealth will be created if small firms are thriving. Our job in the Small Business Bureau is to help. We need a large number of subscribers to support us and identify restraints on small business expansion. We work closely with Opinion Formers in the UK and Europe in pressing for change where change is necessary. With your help we can be sure that the voice of the SME sector will be heard loud and clear." - Dr Marilyn Orcharton, Director, Small Business Bureau.

Established a close working relationship with Government Ministers and Westminster and European Members of Parliament.
Organized annually the largest Conference of its kind for small businesses within Europe.
Established an effective Nationwide Policymaking role through our Policy Unit.
Established an influential, informative newspaper "Small Business News", which has a Nationwide circulation.
In 1990 inaugurated the Annual National "Women into Business" Awards ceremony in Westminster.
Established links within Europe to contribute to policymaking in the European Parliament and Commission.

Pressed continually - and successfully - for the easing of legislative, financial and bureaucratic burdens on small business.
Published regular information bulletins and discussion documents.
Co-operated effectively with allied groups within the UK and overseas.
Generated increasing national awareness of the needs and the contribution of small businesses to the economy and employment.
Campaigned successfully for the Loan Guarantee Scheme, the Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trusts. In addition the SBB took the lead in the elimination of the impact of Inheritance Tax on unquoted companies.
In 1997 initiated the African Caribbean Westminster Initiative.
In 1998 inaugurated a National "Women into Business" Conference.

In 1986 formed "Women into Business".

The Bureau felt that there was insufficient encouragement for women to choose business as a career and ignorance of the advantages of business ownership for women who wished to combine maternal and homemaking dutieswith a rewarding career. "Women into Business" was therefore set up as a part of the Bureau in order to rectify this situation.