MAURICE Willis, indirect tax manager with York-based accountants and business advisers Garbutt & Elliott, is the new chairman of the more than 600 member York branch of the Federation of Small Businesses.

And he has begun his term of office with fighting talk about the growing need for small businesses to have their concerns heard as they become more important than ever in North Yorkshire's economy.

To that end, he said, he aimed to help the Federation be heard and recognised as a constructive business force in the county.

He said: "We live in an era of entrepreneurship - innovative individuals who take risks by launching new businesses and creating jobs and wealth.

"Almost all of these enterprises start as small businesses and I see the Federation's role as helping small businesses obtain all the help they require so they can maximise the success their skills and instincts deserve." Other small businesses, he says, are often based in tourism, which is central to the county's economy and rural areas which need to be helped to prosper and thrive.

York branch of the Federation of Small Businesses holds monthly meetings and covers most of North Yorkshire outside Skipton, Harrogate and The Dales. Slightly more than half (52 per cent) of its members have an annual turnover of up to £1million.

Mr Willis, who advises businesses on indirect tax planning issues such as VAT and landfill tax, added: "A recent University of Strathclyde survey found that the main barriers to growth and survival for small businesses and their areas of dissatisfaction include issues such as local authority charges, business rates, fuel costs, road tax and Government administration issues.

"Many of these issues are shared by small businesses in North Yorkshire and I very much hope that those who are not members will consider joining our organisation and making their voices heard in a positive way which benefits the county's economy."