1977

The Forum of Private Business is founded. The basic philosophy of "the safeguard of individual choice, the encouragement of free competitive enterprise and a sense of social obligation" is set into action. The FPB gives members the vote through the first Referendum ballot.

1978

Margaret Thatcher becomes Britain's first female prime minister.

1979

1980

Competition Law is introduced.

IBM launches its first personal computer.

1981

Argentina invades the Falklands.

1982

Victory! The Government accepts the FPB's proposals surrounding payment of sick pay. Referendum responses are vital in convincing the Government.

1983

Start of miners' strike.

1984

Mikhail Gorbachev becomes Soviet leader.

1985

National campaign success. The Government's White Paper 'Burdens in Business' covers no fewer than EIGHT important topics raised by the FPB.

1986

1987

The FPB's lobbying results in the Department of Employment launching a simplified statement of main terms and conditions of employment (‘contract of employment'), saving private businesses time and money.

1988

Concerted pressure from the FPB wins an agreement to a maximum annual increase in rates for all businesses, with smaller firms paying 5% less than big businesses, and an extension to a five-year phasing-in process, as necessary.

Berlin Wall falls.

1989

Tim Berners-Lee invents ‘The World Wide Web'.

1990

1991

Evidence from the FPB sparks a government enquiry into banks' relationships with smaller businesses.

1992

The FPB receives praise from the then Prime Minister, John Major: "The FPB's research is always of immense value in gauging the things that matter to small businesses. I hope the FPB will continue its excellent work in promoting and protecting small business profitability."

1993

A survey of the FPB's members into crime reveals that nearly half of the 2,670 respondents had been affected by crime in the last 12 months. The FPB meets police chiefs and secures widespread coverage to highlight this important issue.

Sunday trading legalised.

1994

Breakthrough on Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). Proposed changes to the SSP system could have resulted in suffering by smaller firms. The FPB steps into action and single-handedly persuades the Government to give more financial protection to those firms that suffer from abnormal sickness.

1995

First GM food goes on sale in UK.

1996

As a result of FPB-led research, the Government agrees to review the Uniform Business Rate (UBR) to reduce its impact on smaller firms.

1997

The FPB receives praise from the Prime Minister, Tony Blair: "The Government's relationship with the business community is a vital ingredient in ensuring the future prosperity of our economy … I look to the FPB as a key representative organisation … to report to Government its views on current and future policy."

1998

Victory! After 15 years of the FPB campaigning for an effective redress against late payers, the Government introduces a statutory right to interest (SRI), with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act.

Britain gets first minimum wage.

1999

2000

An investigation by the Government (led by Don Cruickshank) castigates banks for overcharging. Having considered the FPB's research and having visited members of the FPB, Mr Cruickshank heeds their views and tells the Chancellor that the banks overcharged smaller businesses by £0.5billion.

2001

The FPB supports members through the horror of the crisis of Foot and Mouth Disease.

2002

Congestion Charge introduced in London.

2003

2004

The FPB thwarts attempts by the European Commission to introduce wholesale amendments to the Working Time Directive.

Pubs open 24 hours.

2005

The FPB's Bank Report celebrates 20 years of research.

2006

The FPB's first-ever national Small Firms' Summit is a resounding success. The one-day conference, sponsored by Barclays Bank, and with the Rt Hon David Cameron MP as keynote speaker, brings together owner-managers and directors of smaller companies.

2007