summer 2016 FSB: A history Credit: Karen Woolley Images: MK Jones / Shutterstock A lifeline for business The Federation of Small Businesses has been providing small and medium-sized enterprises with guidance and support for more than 40 years The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) was formed 42 years ago and has grown to become one of the UK’s leading business organisations, representing small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). In 1974, Norman Small – an aptly named small businessman – wrote a letter to The Guardian in response to the introduction of Class 4 National Insurance contributions, which represented an additional tax burden on the self-employed and owners of small firms. Small invited anyone affected to attend a meeting in his home town of Lytham St Annes, in Lancashire, to promote the voice of the self-employed. And the FSB was born The FSB is a democratic, member-led, not-forprofit and non-party-political organisation that exists to protect and promote the interests of SMEs. It is a powerful lobbying organisation, and the voice of small businesses with key decisionmakers. The FSB represents more than 200,000 small firms to national, local and devolved government, as well as in Brussels – the heart of the legislative process. As experts in business, we offer our members a wide range of advice and vital business services: l Tax investigation protection l Legal protection scheme l Employment protection l Health and safety advice l Online legal documents l Financial health check l Healthcare advice l Insurance service l Energy l Workplace pensions l Business banking l Card payment processing l Card payment terminals l Cash advance l Fuel card l Independent financial services Our aim is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions, survive and thrive. As an established business organisation, we have had the same logo for more than 40 years and felt it was time to refresh our brand image and move with the times. As well as continuing to support our established members, we also seek to reach out to the next generation of business owners, so, with this in mind, we thought it was time for a change of wardrobe! Look out for our new logo and take a look at what we can do for small businesses at www.fsb.org.uk Follow us on Twitter @FSBStaffsWMids For further information please contact your local Trading Standards Service