Business support organisations in Scotland

• Business Gateway

  Partnership between Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Executive and local authorities. Provides information, advice, learning opportunities, support and funding.

• Business Gateway: Grants and support directory

  Search the Grants and Support Directory for potential sources of help with starting up or business development.

• Centre for the Built Environment

  Promotes activities and initiatives for businesses involved in the design, construction, maintenance and management of the built environment in the west of Scotland.

• Forward Scotland

  Non-governmental organisation that champions innovative approaches to sustainable development.

• Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  Provides business support services, training, assistance for community and cultural projects and measures for environmental renewal.

• Quality Scotland

  Not-for-profit organisation that promotes business excellence across Scotland.

• Scottish Council for Development and Industry

  Independent economic development organisation. Engaged in public policy issues, economic research and business information.

• Scottish Environmental Technology Network (SETN)

  A networking organisation that provides support to companies within the environmental technology sector in Scotland.

• Safe and Healthy Working

  Provides free and confidential occupational health and safety advice for small and medium sized businesses in Scotland.

• Scottish Chambers of Commerce

  Non-political, non-profit making organisation. Provides information, help and support and represents the views of businesses to government.

• Scottish Enterprise

  Scotland's main economic development agency, funded by the Scottish Executive. Provides support for new and established businesses.

• Waste Aware Scotland

  National campaign that aims to change public attitudes and behaviour towards waste.

• Zero Waste Scotland

  Zero Waste Scotland delivers a range of support programmes for businesses on thier journey to zero waste.

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

  Offers qualifications in accountancy, finance and management, and promotes high professional, ethical and governance standards.

• Association of British Insurers

  Represents the UK insurance industry, participates in debates on public policy issues and promotes high standards of customer service.

• British Chambers of Commerce

  Non-political, non-profit making organisation. Provides information and support and represents the views of businesses to Government.

• British Safety Council

  Promotes health, safety and environmental best practice.

• British Standards Institute

  UK National Standards Body. BSI Management Systems provides independent third-party certification of management systems, including ISO 14001 (Environmental Management).

• Business in the Community

  Business-led charity that inspires, engages, supports and challenges businesses to continually improve their impact on society.

• Carbon Trust

  Helps business and the public sector cut carbon emissions, and supports the development of low carbon technologies.

• CBI (Confederation of British Industry)

  Lobbying organisation for UK businesses. Works with the UK government, international legislators and policy makers to help UK businesses compete effectively.

• Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

  Sets standards, awards qualifications and provides information and advice to local and national government, environmental and public health practitioners and industry.

• Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)

  Registered charity that promotes education, training, study and research in water and environmental management.

• Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM)

  Represents waste management professionals in the UK. Sets professional standards and promotes education, training and research in wastes management.

• Environmental Industries Commission (EIC)

  Represents environmental technology equipment and services suppliers to UK and EU government.

• Energy Saving Trust

  Promotes the use of cleaner fuels, better insulation and heating efficiency for buildings and small-scale renewable energy, such as solar and wind power.

• Envirowise

  Delivers a government-funded programme of free, confidential advice to UK businesses, including a free helpline. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales they also offer free on-site visits

• Environmental Services Association (ESA)

  Represents the UK waste management industry. Works with government and regulators to develop a sustainable system of waste management.

• Federation of Small Businesses

  Non-profit making, non-political campaigning pressure group, that promotes the interests of self-employed individuals and small businesses.

• Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA)

  Not-for-profit organisation for environmental practitioners. Promotes best practice standards in environmental management, auditing and assessment.

• Institute of Business Advisers

  Non-profit making professional institute for business advisers, mentors and trainers who specialise in helping small businesses.

• Institute of Directors

  Professional body that provides information, advice, training and development and local support networks. Represents business to government and the media.

• Lantra (Sector Skills Council - Environmental and land based industries)

  Promotes new skills, training and business development for environmental and land-based industries.

• Manufacturing Advisory Service (BERR)

  Information and support for businesses in the manufacturing industry.

• National Federation of Enterprise Agencies

  Network of independent, not-for-profit local agencies that provide a range of services for small and growing businesses.

• National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP)

  Brings together businesses from different industries to improve resource efficiency by exchanging materials, energy and water and sharing assets, logistics and expertise.

• National Society for Clean Air (NSCA)

  Environmental protection charity that works towards reduction of environmental problems through policy development and education.

• Urban mines

  Environmental consultancy and charity that provides information, support and solutions to waste problems.

• Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)

  Not-for-profit company that creates new markets for recycled materials and increases public participation in waste minimisation, reuse and recycling.