Sharing Economy UK (‘SEUK’), a new trade body set up to represent and champion the UK’s sharing economy businesses, is launched today by Matthew Hancock, the Business, Enterprise and Energy Minister. The body has 21 founding members from across all sharing sectors, including ZipCar, Osborne Clarke, Airbnb and Tech City.
Unlocking the UK’s Sharing Economy
The launch of SEUK follows last year’s independent review, commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, ‘Unlocking the UK’s Sharing Economy’, which assessed how the UK could, and should, become a global centre for the sharing economy.
The launch follows the report’s recommendation that UK sharing economy businesses come together to form a trade body to act as a single voice and set a kitemark for industry best practice. Debbie Wosskow, founder of Love Home Swap and author of the independent review, will Chair the body for the first year, in a role that will change hands annually.
Representing ‘sharing’ businesses
SEUK is a trade body set up to represent these ‘sharing’ businesses, which encourage consumers and businesses to share and utilise their assets, such as cars and homes. It is a voluntary member group that will seek to champion the sector, ensure best practice and act as a single voice for the industry.
As well as signing up to a Code of Conduct – and working together to develop a kitemark for responsible sharing practice – an annual conference will be arranged, and research will be published into matters around sharing economy businesses, corporates and consumers.
The SEUK Board is made up of: Debbie Wosskow (Love Home Swap), Andrew Saul (Osborne Clarke), Patrick Robinson (Airbnb), Matthew McStravick (Echo) and Alex Depledge (Hassle.com).
UK: global home to sharing economy businesses
Debbie Wosskow, founder of Love Home Swap and Chair of Sharing Economy UK, said: “It was clear following the launch of the report that sharing economy businesses were overwhelmingly supportive of the idea of a trade body. The UK has all the tools to become the global home to sharing economy businesses, but to date our industry has been missing that one body to champion the sector. Today’s launch is an important step and I look forward to working with all members over the next twelve months, and beyond.”
Legal and regulatory issues
Andrew Saul, Senior Partner, Osborne Clarke and Deputy Chair of Sharing Economy UK, commented: “While connected consumers have been quick to see the benefits of home sharing or car-pooling, matters of insurance, regulation and tax continue to be a challenge for sharing economy businesses. Osborne Clarke has long supported the sharing economy community across Europe and the US and is currently advising many businesses on how to match their innovative business models with existing regulation. We’re excited to be supporting SEUK, tackling legal and regulatory issues to work on practical solutions for this booming industry.”
The founding members
Airbnb, Appear Here, Bla Bla Car, Compare and Share, easyCar Club, Echo, Hassle.com, Liftshare, Love Home Swap, Nimber, One Fine Stay, Task Rabbit, ZipCar.
The members will be advised by organisations looking to understand, work with and support the sector: Coadec, Institute of Directors, Nesta, Osborne Clarke, OuiShare, PwC, Tech City and Tech UK
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