Forum of Private Business offers solution for SMEs that don't have an HR director

According to the Forum of Private Business, employment law costs small businesses £2.4 billion per year.

Via the Forum of Private Business's HR director service, business owners are given the confidence that they are managing their people effectively.

The service includes insured employment advice and a dedicated advice helpline, HR training, an employment guide available online or as a hard copy featuring practical templates detailing every step of employment law compliance and a range of staff benefits including a healthcare cash plan.

Members of the Forum of Private Business are also being given comprehensive support on how to benefit from the changing face of the British workforce. Companies can follow a three-step pathway and gain an Equality Mark from the UK Council for Access and Equality (UKCAE), providing an easy-to-use practical framework for achieving equality at work.

With economic conditions still extremely challenging, research from the Forum of Private Business shows 66% of businesses want external support - including someone to talk to for advice and information.

As an invaluable extension to its members' teams the not-for-profit organisation has developed a range of tailored business solutions to support, protect and reassure small firms throughout the lifecycle of their businesses.

While larger companies can afford to invest many thousands of pounds employing senior managers across disciplines such as finance, HR, health and safety and legal compliance, the Forum believes it is beyond the financial means of most small firms.

The Forum of Private Business's new solutions are: ‘Finance Director', ‘Legal Director', ‘HR Director', ‘Health and Safety Director', ‘Development Director', ‘Purchasing Director', ‘Communications Director' and ‘Managing Director'

The solutions have been designed to help business owners and managers by providing comprehensive support, advice and practical guidance across every aspect of business, through a range of tailored solutions to real business problems at a fraction of the cost of recruiting and retaining full-time managers.

The Forum's chief executive, Phil Orford, said: "Like any other small business the Forum is adapting to fit in with a changing market. We've entered a new economic era and, in order to reflect that, we've made some important alterations to what we're offering our members.

"Our new support package is designed to help with every aspect of running an SME. It means that for a modest annual fee, even the smallest of businesses can call on all the back office resources of a multinational company.

"We will help with everything, from workplace legislation and tax regulations, through to purchasing and business development, leaving you free to get on with the day-to-day running of your business.

 "As it was when the Forum was founded in 1977, the key to all this is strength in numbers. The Forum can only offer everything it does, and give small businesses a powerful collective voice, because of its sizeable membership.

"It's literally a case of ‘united we stand' and I hope a new generation of entrepreneurs will come to enjoy the extensive benefits that membership of the Forum of Private Business brings."