MAJOR changes to pension rules that require every employer to enrol their staff in a scheme will be explained at a free seminar.

Financial experts at Hayward Wright Chartered Accountants, which has offices in Worcester and Redditch, are hosting the pension auto enrolment event at Bromsgrove Golf Club on Wednesday, July 16 from 9am to 11am. The firm has organised the two-hour session to update business owners so they stay on the right side of the radical pensions changes which can see hefty fines levied on those failing to correctly enrol employees into a pension scheme.

The seminar, the first in a series of three planned for this year, will feature expert speakers on the legislation and employers’ responsibilities under the new laws. They are Gareth Rees Smith, director at JPM Pensions Ltd, and Michelle Chamberlain, partner at law firmThursfields.

Alistair Hayward-Wright, managing director of Hayward Wright, said: “The new rules mean employees have a pension set up that their employer contributes to, as will the government through tax breaks. But the employer has to take the lead and set the scheme up for them. There are various processes to go through and we have been recommending that employers give themselves a good six months to get everything set up. It’s a complex process and there can be disastrous financial consequences for any business failing to tick all the boxes. That’s exactly why we’re hosting this seminar so we can take as many employers through it as we can. With expert speakers it’s going to be a great source of information and guidance.”

The two other seminars being organised by Hayward Wright include ‘protecting your business’ which will take place in September and ‘access to finance’ in November. To book or for more information e-mail alistaird@haywardwright.co.uk or telephone 01527 69321.