New research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) suggests small firms are struggling to protect the identity and ideas at the heart of their businesses. Time and money spent on protecting intellectual property such as patents, branding and product designs takes valuable resources away from business development, potentially putting growth and innovation at risk.
The British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA) has announced the appointment of Mr Patrick Heskins as its new Chief Executive. He will take up post in the late summer 2015. He succeeds Dr John Morris, who is retiring.
The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015, or SBEE for short, was passed on the 26th of March 2015. The bill is aimed at small businesses and covers a lot of different areas including insolvency, disqualification, public procurement, finance and employment. It is intended to aid small business competition, improve access to finance and increase opportunity for growth as well as increasing liability for company directors.
The Exeter and Heart of Devon Hotels and Restaurants Association selected Elaine Mellotte, general manager of the Jurys Inn in Exeter to the role of chair.
Verona Murphy has been elected as President of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), at the association’s recent AGM in the Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan.Veronica Murphy thumb
Following the CILIP membership survey (held in 2014), further qualitative research has now been undertaken in respect of organisational membership.
Lucozade Ribena Suntory COO Peter Harding has been elected as the new president of the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA). His election at the association’s AGM follows his previous role as its VP.
Debbee Dale of Debbee Dale Development has been named as the new chair of the Association of Women Travel Executives. She steps up from the position of vice chairman, a role taken by Jayne Peirce of Jayne Peirce Recruitment Solutions.
Soil Association Certification, the UK’s largest organic certification body, has appointed Martin Sawyer as its new chief executive. Martin brings a strong background in the food industry and is well placed to lead Soil Association Certification through the next phase of its development. The organic market is in strong growth1, exceeding £1.86 billion in 2014 in the UK, and £46 billion in 2013 worldwide, so it’s an exciting time.
The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has engaged Paul Newman in a consultancy role for the trade association’s London East and South East region.