As the Prime Minister calls for a General Election, the focus on small businesses becomes more critical than ever. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) emphasises the importance of these enterprises in the UK economy, highlighting their significant role in job creation, innovation, and economic stability. With 5.5 million small firms and an additional 16 million individuals employed by them, small business owners and their employees form a substantial and motivated segment of the electorate. As political parties vie for their support, they must present robust, pro-growth policies to address the unique challenges faced by small businesses and promote an…
Author: Greg Robinson
Since launching the UK’s first bamboo tissue brand, The Cheeky Panda in 2016, I’ve been really fortunate to have received mentoring support by a number of industry veterans and it’s been integral to increasing my professional growth. It’s been invaluable to work closely with ex Vita Coco CEO, Giles Brook and Simon Duffy, Founder of Bulldog Skincare, who have generously shared their expertise and counsel along my journey to help me grow the brand to where it is today. I strongly believe that everyone should have access to mentors at all stages of their careers, to support them on a…
One in five people across the UK live with a disability or impairment, but what do we actually know about them? says Dr Carol Sargent, a specialist in dementia-friendly tourism. In an initiative to explore the accessible market within Scottish tourism, dementia specialist Dr. Carol Sargent has joined forces with a leading market research firm 56 Degree Insight to shed light on this particular market and highlight what the tourism industry can do to welcome them. Jim Ecclestone of 56 Degree Insight said, “We poll the Scottish adult population on a quarterly basis to understand their holiday taking views and…
Data from HCML, the leading corporate health and wellbeing specialist, shows that the number of mental health assessments carried out in the last year was up 38% when compared to 2022/23. With Mental Health Awareness Week upon us, HCML’s research shows that for all these individuals, 95% did not meet the recommended activity guidelines, highlighting the need to get people moving more. The data shows that in nearly half (49%) of those assessments, the main symptom reported was anxiety and depression. Just over a third (35%) of assessments were related to stress, and 8% were for bereavement. Pamala Gellatly, Strategic Development Director,…
Apprentices at leading engineering training centre Oxfordshire Advanced Skills, based at the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s Culham Campus, have come up with innovative design concepts to help people with disabilities in the final of the Emma Wiggs Challenge 2024. Double paralympic champion Emma Wiggs MBE, who launched the competition for a second time following the success of last year’s event, was one of the judges assessing the entries which showcased how design engineering can be used to improve life for people with disabilities. Since her mobility was impaired overnight by a virus at the age of 18, Emma has dedicated…
In today’s fast-paced business world, being an effective executive leadership isn’t just about making decisions from the top down. It’s about connecting with people, embracing innovation, and adapting to constant change. It’s a journey that requires more than just a title—it demands a deep understanding of what it means to lead with integrity, empathy, and vision. It all comes down to three key pillars that form the cornerstone of success – being brave, bold and brilliant. These pillars aren’t just abstract concepts, they’re the practical tools and mindset shifts that can empower leaders to navigate the complexities of their roles…
A specialist water engineering company in Scotland has spoken of the “transformative” affect the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board’s (ECITB) e-learning platform has on small businesses. A & L Mechanical, which has 53 employees, started using the Learning Experience Platform (LXP) at the start of the year after the ECITB created a bespoke online digital learning academy for the business based in Kilmaurs, Ayrshire. The LXP provides free-to-access online learning for all levy-paying employers from recognised e-learning providers. The platform has helped provide better access to training for all parts of the engineering construction industry, including small and micro companies,…
In May 2024 HM The King and HM The Queen granted their first Royal Warrants of Appointment of the new reign. The grants were made to companies drawn from those previously holding a Royal Warrant of Appointment to His Majesty as Prince of Wales, who began granting Warrants in 1980. Companies were reviewed and 145 were granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment to HM The King. Of these, seven companies were also granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment to HM The Queen. The Made In Britain members below granted the honour of a Royal Warrant this year reflect some of…
An estimated nine in ten UK adults have experienced high or extreme stress in the last year with one in five needing to take time off work due to poor mental health. While it’s common for people to feel worried or anxious, it can spiral and impact an individual’s mental health which could lead to burnout. With a record 2.8m people in the UK currently off work as a result of ill health employers must be equipped with the right policies and benefits to support their employees. Adrian Matthews, Head of Employee Benefits at MetLife UK, shares his three top…
Rockinghorse Children’s Charity is fundraising to create a new Wellbeing Service to support thousands of children and families who currently access support through the Royal Alex. This dedicated service, developed with the help of an expert steering group, will expand on many of the wellbeing projects that the charity has funded over the last few years, such as sea swimming courses, art therapy, music therapy and woodland wellbeing days. But the crucial difference is that it will bring them all in-house and be able to offer them to a much wider group of children across more paediatric departments within the…