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BBAA was officially launched in January 2005
The British Business Angels Association (BBAA) is the new National Trade Association for the UK’s Business Angel Networks and its Associates and Affiliates. It has evolved from…
The British Business Angels Association (BBAA) is the new National Trade Association for the UK’s Business Angel Networks and its Associates and Affiliates. It has evolved from National Business Angel Network and is backed by the DTI and sponsored by Nesta and Kingston Smith. Its founder full members are London Business Angels and Great Eastern Investment Forum with Nesta as an associate. BBAA is promoting the recognition of Business Angel Networks (BANs) and organised angel groups. BBAA has a number of roles ranging from highlighting the contribution business angels make to the entrepreneurial culture to supporting its members and lobbying government to encouraging the exchange of best practice, experiences and ideas between its members. It specifically does not have a purpose to promote investment opportunities to investors or to advisers.
BBAA is a member led and run Trade Association rather than a bureaucratic structure imposed by the few on the many. In line with this we have now established a new corporate structure for the BBAA, which is straightforward, leaving room for it to be adapted to the specific needs and desires of its future members.
As Chairman Anthony Clarke has appointed an interim board as a governing body whilst the trade association is being established. Additional BBAA board members include John Goodger (GEIF) and Martin Carr (Equity Link) with Mark White (Nesta) and Ken Cooper (DTI) as co-opted board members. John Goodger, Martin Carr and Anthony Clarke will be open to re-election at BBAA’s Annual General Meeting on 7th June 2005. Full BBAA members will then be given the opportunity to appoint their own board. It will be the board’s role to drive the BBAA’s future strategy and direction. The future board of the BBAA will comprise up to 15 directors including nine directors from the full membership and up to 6 co-opted directors (who are not full members).
The first BBAA Annual Conference will be held at
Austin Courtin Birmingham commencing 2.30pm on the 6th June at 2.30 p.m finishing lunchtime on 7th June 2005. The Conference will include high-level experts from UK, Europe and USA and will contain panel sessions to encourage delegate participation. It will be an opportunity for all BBAA members and some of their angel investors to meet together during the breakouts and the reception at the end of the first day.
There will also be an awards dinner on 6 th June. Conference sponsors are Nesta and Kingston Smith. Host sponsors are Advantage West Midlands. Awards sponsors are now being approached; we would welcome to hear from any other potential sponsors. To find out more or to book your place email: Liz@bbaa.org.uk
PARTICIPATING IN BBAA
There are three ways in which organisations can participate in BBAA. I would like to invite your organisation to join the BBAA as an associate. Enclosed are application forms for you to complete and return.
- Full member: For formally structured or constituted business angel groups, networks or syndicates.
- Associates: For organisations that are not the above but have evident interest in the business angel and SME investment market e.g. corporate financiers, accountants, financial advisers, legal practices venture capitalists, academics, and other relevant professionals and intermediaries.
- Affiliates: For individual business angels and informal non-structured groups or investment clubs who have an interest in the market but would not require or be suitable for full membership
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