The Specialist Business Advice programme helps small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Fife that are looking to develop. It provides up to 3 days of fully-funded consultancy support.

The programme opened for applications on 1 April 2023. New applications will be accepted until 31 December 2024.

Tailored, expert advice is available from specialists across a range of topics, including:

• business development, including:
  • business strategy
  • sales and market development
  • marketing, communications and PR
  • brand development
  • quality assurance and accreditations
  • product and process development
  • innovation
  • procurement (public and private sector) and supply chain opportunities
  • business continuity and resilience
• finance, including:
  • management accounts
  • financial analysis
  • purchasing a business, premises or asset (including mergers and acquisitions)
  • financial business planning
  • funding application support and preparing for and securing investment
  • business valuation
  • pricing products and services
• social media and online presence, including:
  • website development and review, including search engine optimisation (SEO)
  • ecommerce
  • social media
  • digital and video content creation
• information solutions and technology, including:
  • connectivity
  • security
  • infrastructure (hardware and software)
  • communications technology and solutions
  • data driven solutions
  • performance information management
• legal and property, including:
  • contracts
  • intellectual property
  • export and import regulations
  • land and property law, including right to buy
  • conveyancing
  • surveying and property consultancy
  • planning application support
  • data protection and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
  • health and safety
• environmental, including:
  • energy efficiency audits and advice
  • environmental strategies and plans
  • waste minimisation, recovery and reprocessing
  • resource efficiency
  • utilities
  • environmental and noise impact assessments
• human resources and employee development and wellbeing, including:
  • recruitment and employment law
  • employee engagement and development
  • management and leadership development
  • employee and owner wellbeing
  • mindfulness and mental health
  • fair work

Your application will be completed by a Business Gateway adviser, then checked, signed and submitted by you. Therefore, you must be working with Business Gateway Fife to be considered.

The Specialist Business Advice programme is delivered by Business Gateway Fife on behalf of Fife Council's Economic Development Team. It is fully funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Your business must be working with Business Gateway Fife to be considered for this programme. Your adviser will work with you to determine whether this support is suitable for your business.

Your business must be located in Fife to register with Business Gateway Fife.

This is a free service.

Small-to-medium sized businesses (SMEs) located in Fife.

The Specialist Business Advice programme opens for applications on 1 April 2023. New applications will be accepted until 31 December 2024.

Your application will be completed by your Business Gateway adviser, then checked, signed and submitted by you. You will receive a decision within 5 working days after you submit the application.

The approved consultancy support must be completed within 3 months after you accept the offer.

The Specialist Business Advice programme opened for applications on 1 April 2023. New applications will be accepted until 31 December 2024.

Submit an enquiry and an adviser will be in touch to discuss your needs.