Gill sets out aims as she takes on FSB role

Mrs Lang, who lives in Ossett, told the Yorkshire Post she wants to tackle the impact of rising energy costs on small businesses, as well as the burden of red tape on small firms, especially those employing only a few people.

Mrs Lang, who originally trained as a teacher, also said she wants to help make it easier for small businesses to engage in public sector procurement. She said: “I am absolutely thrilled that FSB members across the country have elected me as their new national vice-chairman. The FSB is a member-led body and it relies on its members to function and to exert influence with politicians.

“I have always supported local FSB members as far as I can and have put forward the voice of small businesses in West Yorkshire. I am proud that I have been chosen to represent my fellow members from across the UK on the issues that matter most to them.”

Mrs Lang runs two Wakefield-based printing firms with her husband Ian, The Printers and Securi-card. The Printers specialises in sequential bar-coding, while Securi-card makes plastic ID cards.

Mrs Lang has been a member of the FSB since 1990. She has served as Wakefield branch secretary, West Yorkshire regional secretary, a member of the FSB board of directors and FSB executive board. The FSB has approximately 5,200 members in West Yorkshire.

Chris Glen, the regional chairman of FSB West Yorkshire, said: “Small businesses in West Yorkshire had no hesitation in endorsing Gill’s application for national vice-chairman.

“Gill has worked tirelessly for the FSB for the last 14 years. She’s always happy to help other members and has provided invaluable support and advice to numerous people who have taken on roles and duties within the FSB.

“We’re really pleased that Gill has been elected by small business owners across the UK to represent them at a national level. We have no doubt that she will serve UK members with the same dedication and care she has always given to Wakefield and West Yorkshire members.”

Whilst Mrs Lang will hand over her responsibilities as West Yorkshire regional secretary in May, she said she intends to remain active in the Wakefield branch and West Yorkshire region.

Mrs Lang said: “I am a firm believer in the FSB’s branches, and maintaining contact with the local trading community. How else can we gather evidence from the coalface to feed into our very important lobbying activities in Westminster?”