Business Support

The Equestrian Employers Association is the complete online support toolkit for all equestrian businesses.

Member resources include access to the Contract Creator, the Staff Handbook Creator, Health and Safety Manual and Risk Assessment Creator, employment advice, FAQ’s, downloads and a legal advice line.

In addition members are supported through regular e-news and Employers Minds mental health and well-being . Membership also gives a preferential rate to a pension and payroll provider and discounted insurance.

Belonging to the Equestrian Employers Association costs just £42.50 per year.

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The British Grooms Association offers business support to freelance grooms who are running their own business.

From help with accounts and advice on how to run and develop a business, to access to bespoke personal accident and liability insurance policies, the British Grooms Association offers friendly and understanding advice on all groom, career and freelance related matters.

Standard membership costs just £22.50 per year.  

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BHS Scotland Update:

Business Development Support Tools

 

The BHS has a Business Development team, who can offer advice to BHS Approved Centres. The Business Development Manager works closely with the BHS Approved Centres on a regular basis.

 

The BHS has held various coffee mornings/workshops for their coaches and centres and there was a Business Mentoring Day at BHS Approved Centre Aberdeen Riding Club. 

 

All BHS Accredited Professional Coaches and BHS Approved Centres have access to the BHS cloud, providing a wide range of business development support tools.  Information includes lesson plans, risk assessments, business rates, cyber security, understanding PAYE and pensions and workers’ rights etc.

BHS Accredited Professional Coaches:  Approved and accredited by the BHS, Accredited Professional Coaches meet the highest professional standards within the industry.  Our community of professional coaches connects people, ideas and resources to embed world-class standards, drive continual professional development and promote innovation in equestrian coaching.

 

BHS Accredited Professional Coaches have access to an online branded business toolkit and resources.

 

BHS Approved Centres receive a range of commercial support:

Commercial Guidance: you can pick up the phone to our team if you are looking for support with your business We have a range of legislative fact sheets and business templates that are available to you, and we regularly provide guidance to those seeking commercial advice on a range of topics from VAT to business rates. You will receive regular communications with relevant information and updates on legislative changes which may affect your business. Join us at one of our Proprietors’ Conferences to meet other owners and to learn about the latest industry trends and business advice.

 

National issues: If there are national issues that affect your business, we will do our best to support you. Recent examples include lobbying against increased business rates and encouraging drivers to slow down to protect your customers and horses when out on the roads.

 

Defra recently (2018/19) amended the Riding Establishments Act (REA) in England and Wales, changes to licensing in Scotland would be devolved to Scottish Parliament as secondary legislation under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) 2006 Act. Brexit and now corona have resulted in a modernisation of REA in Scotland being repeatedly delayed. The Scottish Government is therefore still contemplating options for registration and licensing of all boarding establishments. This could include livery yards, studs and dealers in due course. In 2018 Scottish Government carried out a consultation on dog, cat and rabbit (pet) breeding activities where they explained their modern approach to licensing as;

 

• A threshold number of animals determining whether licensing is to be applied;

• Licences should be flexible and may be awarded, on a risk-based assessment, for a period of up to three years;

• An exemption from inspection requirements for businesses assured by a UKAS accredited body;

• Licences to be issued at any point in the year for a fixed term but can be suspended or revoked at any time.

So we can reasonably expect the same approach to be given to equines.   

 

 

Participation: the BHS works hard to encourage new customers into the industry to learn to ride and interact with horses. The team also re-engages with individuals who have left the industry to encourage them back.

 

The Changes Lives Through Horses campaign is a good example of participation. It aims to improve the lives of young people who, for various reasons, are disengaged and at risk of becoming excluded from education or are disadvantaged in some way. 

Using horses as the inspiration for change, the programme provides an alternative learning environment to mainstream education. The skills developed through the programme meet the requirements of ongoing education and training, employers and participants.

 

Marketing Support: we work on a national and local level to promote the BHS name and our BHS Approved Centres. This helps us to continue to be at the forefront of customers’ minds when they are considering where to ride or where to keep their horse

 

Website: your organisation will feature on our website detailing the facilities you offer, the level of tuition and training. You can also post vacancies on our website to help you with recruitment.

 

BHS Education and Support:  we continue to offer a wide range of qualifications which can enhance your team’s skills We provide qualifications and regional guidance on safeguarding and first aid. All BHS Approved Riding Schools must have a BHS qualified member of staff on-site which reassures your customers that they are learning in a professional and safe environment. We can offer financial aid via our BHS Development Scholarships.

 

The BHS Coronavirus hub at https://www.bhs.org.uk/advice-and-information/coronavirus-covid-19/business-support-resources provides information on business support resources during this difficult time.

 

During this time, the BHS has also set up a BHS Hardship Fund to help our BHS Approved Centres.

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Working for Scotland's land-based and aquaculture industries:

Click here for more information

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You may be surprised by just how much support Business Gateway can offer you and your business.

Find more information here

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sportscotland offer a number of useful resources under the ‘Good Governance’ Label

sportscotland Good Governance