Federation of Small Businesses Reviews 709

I highly recommend joining the FSB.

I started my business in June 2021 and joined the FSB as strongly advised by my government relationship manager.

Membership comes with many benefits. For example, I have used their Legal Advice Line a few times. There is also a Legal and Business Hub that offers valid documents and templates, like contracts.

I used their exclusive discounts to open a business bank account with the Co-operative Bank.

Now, four years later, I enjoy attending both virtual and in-person networking meetings. The members are supportive and genuinely interested in the progress of my business and my well-being.

There is nothing negative I can say about the FSB, so what do you have to lose?

Online networking and opportunities to speak are good. I've not been able to make any of the in person events as of yet - nor had cause to use any of the other services ... but I only hear good things.

Life is about connection - and when you are a solo business owner it's easy to get lost in the alone. FSB creates community

Fantastic opportunity to network and receive advice from intelligent, like-minded and friendly people. Thanks so much FSB!

I joined the FSB earlier this year when I decided to start my own HR Consultancy service after being made redundant.
As a sole trader trying to grow a business you need to wear a lot of "hats" including sorting insurance, marketing and networking. The Federation of Small Businesses have helped me with all this and so much more, all in one place!
For me, the real benefit comes from having a regional support team who I can contact with any questions I have.
I would highly recommend them!

I was a speaker at the SUPERNetworking event in York, and the FSB were a pleasure to work with — receptive to ideas, highly responsive, and extremely well organised.

The event was busy, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyed by delegates thanks to the thought and planning that went into it. There was a real buzz in the room with plenty of exciting conversations, and the feedback online since has been overwhelmingly positive.

10/10 — I strongly recommend the FSB and the events they facilitate and host.

I am delighted to recommend Tracey Carter in her role as Development Manager for FSB Surrey. Having worked with Tracey (both directly and observing her work across our region), I can say with confidence that she is one of those rare people who feels less like an external stakeholder and more like a natural extension of your own team.



Tracey is warm, approachable and genuinely easy to speak to. When you engage with her, she listens—not just to respond, but to understand. She has a gift for taking what she hears, interpreting it thoughtfully, and converting it into ideas that have real impact. Whether concerns from small business owners, suggestions from local councils, or challenges raised in networking forums, Tracey doesn’t merely pass them on—she crafts them into action.



Her experience is both deep and wide. As FSB Development Manager in Surrey, Tracey stays on top of business support needs, funding opportunities, and regional initiatives. She keeps the business community informed, connected, and heard. She is well-connected across local government, business improvement districts, educational bodies, and the SME community throughout Surrey. These connections are not just for show: she leverages them to open doors, convene meaningful discussions, and drive concrete outcomes.



One of the things I admire most is her creativity. Tracey is full of ideas—both inside and outside the usual remit of FSB. She sees possibilities others might miss, and is proactive in generating initiatives, whether that’s about supporting SMEs with grants, organising networking events, or consulting on policy changes that affect local businesses.

Quite simply, the business community needs more Traceys!

FSB has an enormous range of support and benefit for small business. They have been very helpful in terms of education and networking and are extremely generous with their expertise and knowledge.

The website is very poor.
I recently tried to renew and eventually found online the correct place to pay. I paid £345 as instructed by the website. It is also the price listed on their membership page
Small employer (5 - 10 employees) £295.00
Larger small business (11 - 20 employees) £345.00
Larger small business (21 - 50 employees) £445.00

However then I was called and told they wanted £351 which isn't listed anywhere as a membership price! They wanted to process a refund for the £345 so they could charge the mystery £351. Lost a member of 34 years standing, well done. Incompetent.
***
This has been amicably resolved

The Federation of Small Businesses has been invaluable. The support they provide, the people behind it, and the events they run are all excellent. It’s inspiring to connect with other business owners who genuinely want to see you succeed.

I was reassured by the professional advice I was given in a timely manner - my adviser was very supportive and listened to the details of my issue and clearly outlined the steps I needed to take. We have been members since I purchased my business 8 years ago and I can’t recommend them enough.

Just attended a fantastic health and wellbeing webinar with some wonderful speakers. Thanks FSB for organising it!

Really great bunch of people. Elles is a great host! will definitely be attending again.

I really enjoy the on-line networking sessions that Ness Gale facilitates. Really warm welcomes and great connections!

Have just watched the (free) live webinar, co-presented by two of Microsoft's subject specialists, which covered cyber threats, explained how Microsoft 365 CoPilot assists with daily work and introduced us to the GCSE (Goal, Content, Source, Expectations) format for better Prompting.
The recording will be available on the FSB website.

FSB claims to help small businesses, and they do, however, when it comes to business insurance, I suggest to shop around because we’ve had prices three times what it should be for business insurance. In addition they want the full
Year insurance paid up front, which isn’t realistic for many small businesses.keep looking, thrust me.

I can't praise the FSB, the support they provide, the people and the events enough. It's great meeting other people in business who want you do well.

My first networking meeting with FSB at East Surrey College taken by Tracey & Martin was very enjoyable thank you. Expertly run with insightful speakers & a great bunch of like minded people to meet. It was the perfect first experience for me, I enjoyed listening to other members talk about themselves & their business.

I was sold membership in what I can only describe as a 'hard-sell' manner at an event - akin to timeshare salesperson.
The services they offer are comprehensive with some useful documents and advice; although ChatGPT produces better.
The reason I am leaving is because of the auto renewal with no warning (I had lots of other email from the FSB) and the inability to cancel membership online. I had to email in, get a number and call. SHARP PRACTICE not worthy of an organisation that claims to represent small businesses.

As always, great to be part of FSB. I used to be a member, then left for 4 or so months, only to realise I miss it, so I re-joined.
BUT... you've got to utilise it. you've got to visit the site, find important documents of use, get on the panels for presentations and speaker events and join the numerous events and networking. It really is a great community with many people being within the FSB for many many years.
Thank you also to the Fabulous FSB team that is always super helpful and making things simple and easy and organised.

Great experience! Not only does FSB offer a wealth of support, but it has also put together some great networking events. If you have a small business, I highly recommend checking out FSB.