Wednesday 1st April
Hi, my name is Paul Westcott and I have worked at ICC for 15 years (as of last Monday to be precise!) The views in this blog are not necessarily those shared by ICC or its staff. Now that boring bit is over, what am I trying to achieve with this blog? Well in October the biggest shake up of company law for decades takes place. Now I am no legal eagle but I would put it to my learned colleagues that this change is going to affect every single person within the business information industry.

So, big statement (I like those) - how do I back that up? Well this blog will look at the Companies Act and try to provide a warts and all account of the 'what, whys and wherefores' that organisations like ICC, Companies House et al are doing to implement these changes.

As a layman I will not go on about specific areas of the Act and what they mean to your clients (most of the 'Magic Circle' and 'Big Five' are doing that already and I would recommend some of their websites and webinars if that is your thing.) But, as a layman I know two things. One: it is a lot of work for vendors to deal with in order to make the effect minimal for our clients (violins and donations are willingly accepted.) And secondly: the Act is so full of contradictions it is like a bad soap opera plot at times. Please note, I have nothing against soaps (I am very partial to Home & Away; must be something to do with Sally in my formative years.)

Over the coming weeks (to October and beyond as a well know Pixar character did not say) I will chat, discuss, share my experiences and even sometimes answer questions on all things Companies Act (ish.) I will not claim to be funny, nor correct. However I do hope I can share with you an understanding (in a very 21st century way) of what is happening, why, and when. Although I hazard a guess that when things are not happening it will be far more interesting read. Please feel free to comment on my musings (I am not easily offended unless it is about my musical taste which is unquestionably exceptional.)

Till my next installment - Paul

PS - l am currently listening to Bon Ivor, Fleet Foxes and Brendan Benson (I said I had good taste!)