Business group up for coveted award

FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) has been shortlisted as a finalist of the Red Rose Business Awards 2017, in the category of not for profit business of the year.

The awards celebrate Lancashire’s business, commerce and industry, and encourage inter-trading within the county.

The award winner will be announced on March 9.

Dave Stallon, commercial director at FSB, said: “It’s great to be recognised for the huge contribution FSB continues to make to the UK’s vital small business sector. Lancashire is an important part of FSB’s heritage,  and although we’re a national organisation, we still have our head office in Blackpool.”

FSB was founded by Blackpool resident Captain Norman Small, in 1974.

Small had objected to the class 4 national insurance levied on small businesses and so began the campaigning work across the  UK.

Today, FSB is recognised as the voice of small business, operating on a not for profit, non-party political basis.

FSB represents 170,000 members across the UK. As well as bringing its members a range of benefits and business advice, FSB has impact in the policy areas that affect the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses.

As a Red Rose Awards finalist, FSB will now be invited to meet a judging panel in February before the winner is decided.