FORMER city council leader Jason Kitcat has been unveiled in his new role as an ambassador for freelancers, entrepreneurs and small businesses.

The former Green leader is working for Hove-based Crunch Accounting, the fastest growing accountancy firm in the UK.

He will use his experience in business and government to influence policy on behalf of the micro-businesses which make up Crunch’s client base.

Darren Fell, chief executive of Crunch Accounting, said: “We are delighted to be working with Jason to finally give the UK’s freelancers and small business owners a powerful voice in government.

“Having previously run tech businesses, he’s the natural choice to help create truly meaningful changes for the nation’s army of small business owners.”

Mr Kitcat founded and ran a number of technology businesses prior to his career in local politics and believes there is a “policy vacuum” around micro businesses’ agenda.

He said: “There are only 7000 corporate-scale businesses in the UK, of 250 or more staff, but 5 million micro-business with fewer than nine staff.

“Most of the political debate is over larger companies but they make up a tiny fraction of the economic community.”

He pointed out that while corporations are the largest employer group, with 10m staff, micro-businesses run them a close second with 8.25m.

Mr Kitcat will be working for Crunch several days a week for an undisclosed sum.

He said he believed he could bring his experience to bear on behalf of clients, explaining: “I understand the policy process having been a leader in city government, where I spent a lot of my time championing investment for the city.

“And I understand about business having started my own businesses.”

Mr Kitcat has identified the first causes to take up on behalf of Crunch’s 45,000-strong community as fighting new rules which make it easier to transform property from commercial to residential use, and changing proposals which will increase taxes on dividends for small business owners.

Crunch employs 160 staff in its Hove headquarters, formerly the Dubarry perfume factory.

The accountants cater specifically for freelancers, contractors and small businesses, and has 8,000 customers and a broader community of 45,000 who have access to some of their services.