In this article:

• Apprenticeship Levy examined at University Campus Aylesbury Vale breakfast briefing
• Free advice for businesses on shielding themselves from cyber crime
• Companies House webinars – New Directors
• Arla’s Christmas Market seeks arts and crafts businesses

Apprenticeship Levy examined at University Campus Aylesbury Vale breakfast briefing

The government has set a target of recruiting 3 million Apprentices by the year 2020 and to support this they have introduced the Apprenticeship Levy, due to start in April 2017. Not all employers will be effected but those that are will have to pay the levy at a rate of 0.5% of their payroll.

Buckinghamshire Business First invite you to join us at the University Campus Aylesbury Vale for a free informal breakfast meeting on Friday 25th November from 8am-10am to learn more about the Levy and what it will mean for your business, discover how to get the most from the levy and find out how we can support you alongside our partners; Aylesbury College, Buckinghamshire New University and Amersham & Wycombe College.

Aylesbury College’s Executive Director of Employer Engagement & Business Development, Tim Keighley, will speak about government apprenticeship reforms and the ramifications for businesses of the changes coming into force from April 2017. This event includes refreshments and networking opportunities.

Ian Harper, Chief Executive of University Campus Aylesbury Vale, said: “With major changes to the ways apprenticeships are delivered and funded this is a great opportunity to understand how the new system can benefit Buckinghamshire’s businesses.”

University Campus Aylesbury Vale is a partnership between Bucks New University and Aylesbury College.

Book your place to learn more about the Apprenticeship Levy >

Free advice for businesses on shielding themselves from cyber crime

Thames Valley Police is urging small businesses to attend a free event to find out about cyber crime and how to stop themselves from becoming victims.

The event, which is the first of its kind to be organised by the police force, will take place on Wednesday 30 November at The Cornerstone Arts Centre, Oxfordshire, from 9am-12.15pm. It is open to small businesses across the Thames Valley with experts on hand to talk about the risks, including the latest threats such as Mandate Fraud, CEO Fraud and Ransomware.

In addition to specialists from Thames Valley Police, there will be key experts from Get Safe Online, Lloyds Bank, Kaspersky Lab and London Digital Security Centre giving presentations and available to answer questions. Representatives from the Oxford Cyber Security Cluster will also be in attendance to run a series of interactive workshops demonstrating how businesses can be vulnerable to cyber crime. 

The event is being organised following the launch of Thames Valley Police’s #ProtectYourWorld stay safe online campaign to raise awareness about cyber crime and encourage residents and businesses to take steps to protect themselves from becoming victims.

Det Supt Nick John, Head of Specialist Operations at Thames Valley Police, said: “This free event is a fantastic opportunity for small businesses to find out first-hand about the threats that exist and could affect them and their business. We know those involved in running small businesses are busy, but I would encourage them to take the time to come along to this event and get this valuable advice from experts to ensure their business is protected.”

Spaces for the event will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis so businesses are urged to sign up as soon as possible to reserve a free place either online via Eventbrite or by emailing April McCoig at [email protected] or calling her via the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

Thames Valley Police has produced a video working with three small businesses about their own experiences of cyber crime and the effect it had on their businesses as part of the #ProtectYourWorld campaign.

Business can sign up for Thames Valley Business Alerts to receive crime alerts and prevention advice.

Companies House webinars – New Directors

If you have just been appointed a director of a Ltd company, you will probably want to know more about your responsibilities to Companies House. Join this free webinar on Tuesday 15 November to discover what Companies House expects from you and your company.

The Companies House events calendar is updated regularly so keep and eye on out for any other events that sounds of benefit to you.

Arla’s Christmas Market seeks arts and crafts businesses!

Following last year’s successful Christmas Market, Arla is hosting another on Wednesday 7 December from 4pm-7pm.

Arla is seeking arts and craft businesses to attend and sell their products at the event, so if you’re interested in getting a stall, get in touch with Jaime King at Arla: 07794 999381 / [email protected].

The what, where and when of events in Buckinghamshire

Visit our events page for the full local business event listing - then get booking!

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