
From 1st October 2023 new fire safety legislation comes into effect. This will mean that many businesses and building owners need to check if and how this affects them to ensure they are complying with the regulations. The main changes are:
- All businesses will need to record a fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements in full – regardless of the number of employees, and size or type of business;
- There are increased requirements for cooperation and coordination between Responsible Persons in multi occupied buildings or those where the occupier and owner are not the same person; and
- In residential buildings with two or more domestic premises, residents must be provided with information on the risks from fire and the fire safety measures provided to keep them safe. See: [New fire safety guidance comes into force on 1 October 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-fire-safety-guidance-comes-into-force-on-1-october-2023)

Becoming a company director comes with a fair bit of responsibility - and not just when things are going well. Whether you're the hands-on type, more of a silent partner, or even directing behind the scenes, all company directors have legal duties under the Companies Act 2006.

If your business ever runs into financial difficulties, how you handle the situation can have serious and lasting consequences. That’s the message behind a recent case involving a Staffordshire director who’s just been banned from running a company until 2031.