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15 June 2006
British adviser network expands into USA.
 Initiatives
in Business Development Group Ltd. (ibd), the British
owned international network of independent business advisers which
specialises in helping small to medium enterprises, has opened its
first operation in the US. ibd-USA will operate
out of Orlando, Florida and will be managed by a British/American
couple on behalf of the Group.
ibd in the US will initially support companies
based in Florida and expand from there. A network of professional
business advisers has been recruited and trained and ibd-USA
opened for business on June 5th this year.
Strategically positioned in the centre of Florida, the Orlando
region covers 4,012.2 square miles and four counties. There are
nearly 43,000 business establishments in Orlando city, one in three
operating in the service sector. 85% of the region’s businesses
have fewer than 20 employees.
Kevin Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of ibd Group said, “There
is a strong focus on outsourcing in the US which complements the
ibd-USA principle that smaller companies deserve
top quality but affordable business support. Orlando was selected
as the ideal launch pad for ibd in the USA because
it offers a good cultural fit and is home to exactly the mix of
companies that will benefit from ibd’s expertise.
From our operations in Europe we know that entrepreneurs and owner
managers work hard and with great enthusiasm but they often lack
the experience and knowledge needed to grow their organisations.
US entrepreneurs will now be able to access a mix of appropriate
expertise from ibd’s USA members when they
need it.”
According to British born David Stacey, a former corporate banker,
and now co-leader of ibd-USA in Florida, “Orlando
is a great place to work. The climate is just right with everything
from arts and culture to shopping, sports, exceptional healthcare
and year-round recreation on offer. Companies benefit from a myriad
of tax advantages, including low corporate rates and no state personal
income tax. The region is one of the top 10 locations in the US
for business.”
David and his co-director Frances Forster, herself an experienced
American entrepreneur, are confident that the new network has the
knowledge and contacts needed to get ibd off to
a flying start. “When I launched my first company in America
there was no easy way to find and use the business expertise and
support I needed.” added Frances. “I know from personal
experience that there is a gap in business services in the US for
smaller firms and, having trained with ibd in the
UK, I was determined to replicate the approach over here. David
and I are looking forward to making a difference.”
More information about ibd in the UK, Europe and
the US can be found at www.ibd-uk.com
and at www.ibd-usa.com
ibd-USA LLC
555 Winderley Place
Suite 300, Maitland
FL 32751
Telephone +1 407 571 6970
ENDS
Editor’s Notes
About ibd
ibd, launched in the UK in 2002, is dedicated
to serving the needs of smaller firms. It has successfully exported
its approach across Europe, opening a network in Benelux in 2003
and in Poland in 2004. The office in Orlando opened in June 2006
and is the start of ibd’s expansion into
America.
ibd works with start-ups and small to medium sized
firms offering hands on business development advice and implementation
support. ibd has a number of innovative partnerships
with some of the UK’s largest banks and financial institutions
including HSBC, NatWest and venture capital providers Angel Bourse.
All are designed to ensure that owner managers can easily access
specialist expertise when required.
ibd provides a full high quality service to Small
to Medium Enterprises. ibd members undertake a
stringent recruitment programme, attend comprehensive and continuing
training programmes and adhere to the organisation’s ethical
policy.
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