Enterprise Invites North East Businesses to Ask the Experts

Young north east businesses are being encouraged to attend a Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise) ‘Ask The Experts’ free event on Monday 18^th April 2005 at St Leonards Hotel, Stonehaven. The event, supported by Scottish Enterprise Grampian in association with the Stonehaven Business Association, will give delegates the chance to hear first hand from various business experts about some of the key issues affecting local businesses.

Delegates will be able to learn more about taxation, human resources, accessing finance and legal issues affecting small to medium businesses.

Experts on hand for the evening include:

• Josep Campins - Inland Revenue - Taxation
• Bruce Hay - HM Customs & Excise - VAT
• Alan K Smith - Chartered Accountant
• Charlie Sands - CS Corporate Solutions – Chartered Accountant
• Graham McWilliam – QMS-HR – Health and Safety
• PJ Chalmers - QMS-HR – Employment Law
• Morven Proctor - Scottish Executive - Environment & Rural Affairs
• Stuart Carrie, - Aberdeenshire Council - Planning & Environmental Services
• Sheila Ritchie - Grant Smith Law Practice - Solicitor
• Robert Armstrong - Aberdeenshire Council – Economic Development
• Adam Watson - Enterprise North East Trust – Business Support Services

Joyce Duncan, director of operations at Enterprise North East Trust says, "Running a business can be a very challenging experience because people need to suddenly grasp how to deal with VAT, human resources and legal issues where they may have no prior direct experience. If you start up on your own it can also be an isolating experience, the series of ‘Ask the Experts’ evenings brings together business owners with experts who are well placed to offer them tried and tested advice. The sessions have been running for some time now and have proved to be extremely popular."

Charlie Sands of CS Corporate Solutions in Stonehaven has more than 25 years experience as a Chartered Accountant and will be giving delegates an insight into how growing businesses can benefit from the extra support of an accountancy firm. Charlie says, "Time and time again we hear from our clients who have set up their own business that having support from professional accountants has taken all the hassle and stress out of a whole raft of issues. From developing a business plan and securing funding, getting to grips with tax, VAT and payroll there are many issues small enterprises need to consider and if not managed properly can become a real headache. Having professional advice can help owners focus on their business and customers, and can be money and time very well spent."

Joyce continues, "The ‘Ask the Experts’ event is primarily for businesses that have been trading for a few years, although any company can benefit from attending. The range of experts we have for the event allows for a varied and interesting discussion and professional advice for delegates attending the event.

"Delegates will be split into small groups and will have the opportunity to move around the room and speak to the experts most concerned with the issues affecting their business field, allowing them to maximise their time and gain relevant business advice."