Useful links in the UK
Government
Department for Business Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills is the UK government’s department for supporting and developing all aspects of business in the UK. They provide a central point for consumers, consultancy on all aspects of business education and ensure that future legislation is made accessible to those that need it to name a few of its functions.
website | contact form | t : +44 (0)20 7215 5000
The British Embassy in Israel
The British Embassy in Israel facilitates both the needs of British people living in Israel and strives to develop bilateral relations in political, business and cultural arenas. Led by new Ambassador Matthew Gould, the Embassy’s remit is wide, ranging from helping to contribute to peace in the Middle East through to helping British nationals. Israelis can find a wealth of information about living in the UK and find accurate social and political news.
website | email | t: +972 (0)3 725 1222
UK Trade & Investment
UK Trade & Investment functions as an intermediary, linking UK business with international partners while also encouraging international companies to look to the UK for growth. A key performance indicator for the UKTI is the level of foreign direct investment that is made in the UK.
website | contact form | t: +44 (0)20 7215 8000
UK National Statistics
The UK office for National Statistics is the UK government’s central database for statistics on all activities in Britain. As Britain continues to face the challenges of returning to prosperity after the financial crisis, the latest figures from the ONS is potentially crucial to a prospective investor.
website | | t: +44 (0)845 601 3034
Direct Gov.
Direct Gov acts as a one stop shop on all matters pertaining to public services in the UK. The portal is huge and provides a friendly interface between government services and the UK public. This is a fantastic resource for a potential businessperson to get a snapshot of the opportunities made available to citizens in the UK.
Business and Economy
British Chamber of Commerce
On face level, the British Chamber of Commerce provides simply a national business hub, bringing together all the other local business networks throughout the UK. Through it’s creation however, the BCC has the momentum to galvanize UK business growth, by spreading information and lobbying government for changes to legislation that can improve the effectiveness of their members.
W: http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/
T : +44 (0)20 7654 5800
London Business Forum
The London Business Forum facilitates a great environment within which some of the leading lights in UK business can connect. Regular events and forums are held throughout central London, with the focus being information exchange and to of course network with other members and special guests.
W: http://www.londonbusinessforum.com/
T: +44( 0)20 7600 4222
UK Israel Business
UK ISRAEL BUSINESS is a combination of the British-Israel Chamber of Commerce (B-ICC) and the Israel Britain Business Council (IBBC)
UK Israel Business is a member led organization whose focus is to increase bilateral business relations between the UK and Israel. The organization creates a business forum bringing together the very best industry professionals from both nations. These are primarily organized through a series of events usually based in London. With over a thousand companies represented annually, membership to this exclusive networking hub could be invaluable.
W: http://www.ukisraelbusiness.co.uk/?page_id=2
T : +44 (0)203 510 0002
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Industry and Trade
Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
The CBI’s principal function is to support and campaign on behalf of UK business, in order to create optimal trading conditions both in Britain and overseas. The CBI will lobby government on key issues facing their members such as fair tax and seek to ensure that changes to legislation has a positive effect on UK business.
W: http://www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/staticpages.nsf/StaticPages/home.html/?OpenDocument
E : http://www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/staticpages.nsf/StaticPages/contactus.html/?OpenDocument
The Consumers Association
The Consumers Association is one of the best places to find accurate and impartial information regarding current goods sold in the UK market. The staff are comprised of a highly informed panel of reviewers and consultants ensuring the highest standards of excellence. The organization also possesses strong legal powers, working very closely alongside the Office of Fair Trading (the government agency responsible for enforcing consumer protection and regulating competition law) to ensure the UK public are treated fairly.
E: http://www.which.co.uk/about-which/contact-us/send-us-a-message/
T : +44 01992 822800
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Venture Capitals
The British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association
The strapline on www.bvca.co.uk reads ‘The British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) is the industry body and public policy advocate for the private equity and venture capital industry in the UK’. In doing so, the organisation acts as a window, providing transparency to the UK public on the activities of their 430 members.
website |
t: + 44 (0)20 7420 1800
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Research & Development
UK Trade & Investment
The remit of UK Trade & Investment is to develop UK business opportunities. Cultivating R&D is crucial to this, pairing up with the right commercial or academic partner. A history of high quality partnerships with Israel already exists and will hopefully grow further in the future.
Research Councils UK
Research Councils UK invest every year 3 billion pounds in research in the UK. This body provides an umbrella organization for the seven other research councils in the UK, ensuring that projects are co-ordinated properly, preventing unnecessary crossover and maximum collaboration.
website |
t: +44 01793 867004
Britain-Israel Research And Academic Exchange (BIRAX)
BIRAX, an arm of the British Council, stands for Britain-Israel Research And Academic Exchange. The scheme strengthens collaboration between universities in Israel and the UK, splitting grants for split projects typically within energy and the environment.
t: +972 (0)3 611 3600
Jewish Organisations
The Jewish Business Network
The Jewish Business Network is a very new organisation that exists to encourage trade and business between Jewish individuals and firms in the North West London area. Still in it’s embryonic stage, Jewish business and serviceman are able to list their trade and skills, providing both networking and accountability for the community.
website |
The Jewish Association of Business Ethics
The Jewish Association of Business Ethics has long been established within the Orthodox community to provide consultancy to both business and individuals, ensuring fairness in their commercial dealings and adherence to halacha (Jewish Law).
website |
t: +44 (0) 208 905 4048
Traine Trade
Traine Trade has emerged as a key charity in the Jewish world supporting both small businesses and individuals embrace the modern working world. On an individual level, they offer advocacy, training , facilitate internships and even offer some vocational courses in-house. For start-up firms they offer discounted premises, access to equipment and even consultancy as a business moves through the early stages of development.
website |
t: 020 8371 3280
The Board of Jewish Deputies
The Board of Deputies of British Jews ‘exists to promote and defend the religious rights and civil liberties of British Jewry’ according to the strapline on their website. The Board is there to continually ensure the Jewish Community is able to survive peacefully and successfully. In particular, they fight hard against any rise or potential rise in anti-semitism generated either by government legislation, the media or the actions of any aggressive religious or political faction.
website |
t: +44 (0)20 7543 5400
General Information
Think London
Think London is the number one resource for foreign direct investment into London. The principal function for the Agency is to assist international businesses launch and grow through their early stages. Think London incorporates a team of experienced business professionals, ensuring that London’s benefits are properly exploited.
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau describes itself as ‘the charity for your community’. Run by highly trained volunteers who offer advocacy on issues ranging from debt, legal concerns and consumer rights. Often run by ex professionals, the CAB has deservedly earned an excellent reputation as society’s one-stop shop of information.
t: +44 08444 111 444
Directories
Londinium.com
Londinium.com is one of a number of websites that provides a comprehensive web directory of goods and services provided in the Capital. The site continues to develop through targeted Search Engine Optimisation and would be an ideal place to not only add your listing but also to assess the quality of the competition.
t: +44 07970 807930
Yell
Yell is the premier search directory for organizations throughout the UK. It is fully comprehensive and regularly updated to include reviews from the site’s users, providing the inside guide as to what the organization is really like from the perspective of the public.
t : +44 0800 671 444
Press
The media in the UK is vast, covering everything from all sides of the political spectrum. Below is a short selection of some of the key players, although there are hundreds of specialist newspapers and trade journals too, especially on business and the commercial world.
The BBC
The BBC is proud of being the ‘largest broadcasting organisation in the world.’ With a long established presence in both radio and television, the BBC website has become a massive resource of information on news both globally and on all major issues pertaining to the UK.
The Financial Times
The website of the Financial Times is the only paper fully dedicated to supplying news on all matters financial and commercial. Whether it be the latest reports from the London Stock Exchange, analysis of governmental trends or the performance of key businesses in the UK, www.ft.com is an ideal way of studying the UK market before starting out on any enterprise.
t: + 44 (0) 207 873 3000
The Times Newspaper
The Times newspaper is the highest-selling quality broadsheet in the UK, traditionally occupying a centre right position. With a heavy fall in revenue due to both reducing advertising spend and a massive reduction in sales, www.thetimes.co.uk took the decision to charge a modest monthly subscription, allowing access across all ranges of digital formats. The Times is an excellent source of all news in the UK and certainly provides a good context to the key challenges facing the British public.
The Guardian Newspaper
The Guardian is the main quality left wing broadsheet in the UK. While issues pertaining to the arts and the public sector are regularly featured, the website does have a dedicated and comprehensive section on business.
T: +44 ( 0)203 353 2000
The Evening Standard
The Evening Standard is the free London newspaper circulated predominantly around commuters. While encompassing issues around the world, the paper is very much London orientated. There is a dedicated business section with analysis by top city journalists, usually current or ex finance professionals.
The Jewish Chronicle
The Jewish Chronicle is the mainstream newspaper for the Jewish community in the UK. Written for a secular readership, the Jewish Chronicle is an excellent source for both Jewish business contacts and support within the wider Jewish community.
t: + 44 (0)20-7415 1500