Virtual Office

The BCA Virtual Office Focus Group (VO)

The Virtual Office Focus Group was formed in 2011 to represent organisations that provide virtual, mail forwarding and accommodation address services to businesses. The initiative’s main aim is to act as a collective voice and to set high standards of business excellence and compliance within the sector.

The VO objectives include:

• To encourage compliance and best practice guidelines
• To define the rigorous ethical and business standards required to operate in the sector
• To create a strong collaborative network of companies and organisations.
• To promote cross industry information sharing
• To lobby on issues affecting the sector

VO Members

VO members are both major players and independent operators whose activities include:

• Providing accommodation and mail forwarding addresses
• Providing virtual office and telephone answering services

The BCA, whose membership represents a large number of operators in this sector, was a founding member of the forum. Non industry members include:

• The Metropolitan Police’s Operation Sterling (a special unit dedicated to combating economic crime)
• Westminster Trading Standards
• Companies House
• Other official bodies who promote industry standards and business ethics

To view Virtual Office Industry Representatives, click here...

London Local Authorities Act 2007

Local Authorities in London who have Adopted the Regulations

The VO and the BCA

The VO has now become an integral part of the BCA. Our members are committed to helping set industry standards.

BCA members have signed the BCA Compliance document which includes a Code of Conduct 
and a Consumer Charter

As well as defining best practice, the document demonstrates a commitment to professional and ethical conduct. It includes compliance with relevant Legislation. This is essential for industry and our customers.

The BCA broadcasts to an extensive audience, ensuring the ideals and issues of both the BCA and the VO are widely known and understood by Government, HMRC, the police and, most importantly, the wider business community and consumers.

The BCA has many functions:

• To represent the industry, lobby Government and statutory bodies
• To initiate PR and publicise the benefits and effectiveness of the VO to the consumer
• To provide consumers with professional services that are compliant with legislation, and the transparency to identify and use member locations with confidence
• To lead, support, educate and guide members in particular with updates relating to Legislation and HMRC Money Laundering Regulations.
• To set standards encouraging a network of excellence and regulate the members through BCA membership compliance
• To provide members with advisory contacts/services
• To provide and facilitate a forum platform for discussion on collective issues affecting the sector – valuable networking opportunities.
• To foster growth and best practice
• To facilitate the sharing of information
• To work with the appropriate authorities on fraud prevention

        Simon Cowie                                                                                     Peter Radcliffe   peter@officefront.co.uk
        Inaugural Chair BCA Virtual Office Focus Group                               Chairman BCA Virtual Office Focus Group 2012                                       
        Chairman Mail Boxes Etc (UK) Ltd                                                    Managing Partner OfficeFront