Sheffield law firm Wake Smith & Tofields is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Business Portal, a service set up to provide free initial legal consultations to the city's creative and digital industries .
The programme was launched by commercial solicitor and partner at Wake Smith & Tofields, Peter Rawlinson. Recognising the potential in the city, Peter set up the scheme in 2000 and forged a relationship with the Workstation and Sheffield Technology Parks in order to establish the clinic and support the growth of creative and digital industries in the area.
Since its inception the Business Portal has advised hundreds of businesses, working in the creative, ICT and ebusiness sectors. The service provides an opportunity at an early stage for business owners and directors to discuss legal and business issues. The initial consultation is free and subjects covered have included: software protection; project contracts or tendering processes; corporate set-up and governance; web design disputes and digital rights licenses; investment agreements; changes in employment terms and branding issues.
The Business Portal is now celebrating its 10th anniversary alongside Peter Wood, Chief Executive of Sheffield Technology Parks.
Peter Rawlinson said: "The creative and digital industry sector is a key economic driver in the South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire region. Sheffield is one of the leading centres of creativity and digital specialism in the country and Wake Smith & Tofields is proud to have helped support this growth, helping regional companies (large and small) to compete successfully on a national and international level.
"However it is a highly skilled area and there is fierce level of competition so it is imperative that businesses plan their next move and take advice as early as possible to understand the legislation and legal issues which may affect them. Our aim in running the Business Portal is to quickly highlight the main issues for consideration by the company. By providing the free consultations we have developed a number of long standing clients including TechnoPhobia and Learning Light Ltd."
TechnoPhobia, web applications developers and user experience agency based at the Workstation, is jointly owned by Pip and Amelia Thorne and boasts national clients including The Technology Strategy Board, The Co-operative Bank and PizzaExpress.
Pip Thorne said: "The early stage support we received from the Business Portal service was invaluable. Many of the businesses based at the Workstation or in the neighbouring area of the digital square mile need services like the Business Portal to help them advance onto the next level of business. Competing with national agencies and working for big brands requires legal expertise and this can often be daunting to a young business."
Peter Wood, Chief Executive of Sheffield Technology Parks said: "We are proud to support the Business Portal and look forward to growing the relationship to help more businesses. The region's reputation in this sector is growing all the time and anything that can be done to support this will help the city's economic progression."
Free consultation appointments are available at the Sheffield Technology Park on the last Thursday of every month between 12 and 2pm.