Can new Welsh businesses CIC it? Yes they can!

• ‘Meet the Regulator’ seminars in North and South Wales to explore the benefits of the Community Interest Companies.
• Keynote speech by Sara Burgess, Community Interest Company Regulator
• Events in Llandudno (12th November) and Cardiff (24th November)

Sara Burgess, Community Interest Company (CIC) Regulator is the keynote speaker at two ‘Meet The Regulator’ events to be held in Llandudno and Cardiff next month. The events, which are aimed at professional business advisors as well as legal and accountancy teams, will explode the common misconceptions of Community Interest Companies and explore the benefits this business model offers community based enterprises.

The events are hosted by the Wales Co-operative Centre Wales Co-operative Centre with support from Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies.

The two seminars, which will be held in Venue Cymru, Llandudno on the 12th November and in St Davids Hotel, Cardiff on the 24th November, will feature talks on the support available for ‘CIC’ start-ups, social investment tax relief and case studies from well established Community Interest Companies, the National Beekeeping Centre for Wales (Llandudno) and Warm Wales (Cardiff).

Community Interest Companies (CICs)are a relatively new business model designed for people and organisations that want to set up a business that benefits the community. CICs are a legal model that offer an alternative to charities and industrial and provident societies. Community Interest Companies must pass a ‘Community Interest Test’ before the regulator will grant a company CIC status. These events will explore the benefits of the model and what needs to be done to set up a CIC.

Both of these events are supported by the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies. The Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies decides whether an organisation is eligible to become, or continue to be, a CIC. It is responsible for investigating complaints –and it provides guidance and assistance to help people set up CICs. The events are endorsed by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Glenn Bowen is Director of Enterprise at the Wales Co-operative Centre and will be leading a session on the support available for CIC start-ups. He commented,

“This event is a great opportunity for professional business advisors to gain a real insight into how a Community Interest Company works and the benefits it offers to its stakeholders and to the wider community.

“We are very lucky to have Sara Burgess the CIC Regulator attending both of these events and sharing her considerable expertise on the subject with us.”

Free tickets for the seminars are available online from http://www.walescooperative.org/index.php?cID=2636 but must be booked in advance.

Full Agenda