As Operations Director, Sally will oversee all internal operations, processes, systems, and delivery — with a clear focus on scalability, professionalism to deliver exceptional client experiences. Sally brings over 15 years of business finance experience with businesses such as Metro Bank Asset Finance, InterBay Asset Finance and Shawbrook Bank. Her most recent role was Sales and Operations Director at Love Finance Limited, where she was responsible for 80 sales and admin staff, plus compliance. Sally Chesterton, Operations Director of Millbrook Business Finance said: “I am delighted to join the Millbrook team, and I’m eager to contribute to their continued success…

The UK’s small and medium-sized enterprises are the engine room of the economy, accounting for 99.8% of the business population according to government statistics and generating over £2 trillion in turnover. But that engine is under strain. The recent spike in consumer-price inflation to 3.5% has piled fresh pressure on operating costs, reinforcing the longer-term cost surges that began with Covid-19 and were compounded by geopolitical shocks, supply chain disruption and wage inflation. Now, with over a third of SME leaders citing rising costs and inflation as direct barriers to growth, businesses must rethink their approach to finance. It’s no longer sufficient to treat raising capital as an…

Ben Knight, former trader-turned Wealth Strategy Expert and founder of Hertfordshire-based The Trade Tribe, reveals the six biggest money mistakes he sees business owners most frequently make – and outlines his tips for avoiding them. Running a small business demands focus, resilience and careful financial management. But even the most capable owners can fall into common money traps when it comes to their personal finances. These mistakes don’t come from recklessness, but often from following outdated advice or feeling too overwhelmed to make strategic changes. Since founding The Trade Tribe, I’ve worked with hundreds of business owners across the UK.…

New research from Vistra, reveals that only 28% of UK directors are ready for the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) despite the risk of unlimited fines. The smallest firms are most exposed, with none stating they are ready to meet ECCTA deadlines. While larger firms show greater readiness, just 37% of the largest are very prepared. The ECCTA is the UK’s most significant Companies House reform since 1844. By autumn 2025, all directors, persons of significant control (PSCs), and company filers must verify their identity. Yet, only 250,000 of an estimated 7 million or under 4% have done so. Another…

Workers in the Gen Z age cohort (18-27) are making their mark in the workplace – with many already stepping into leadership roles. In the UK alone, data from last year found that nearly 250,000 company directors are now Gen Z[1], reflecting their growing influence. Earlier this year, American Express partnered with The Conduit members club to survey both Gen Z entrepreneurs and workers across the UK, to build understanding of the key motivations and unique strengths of Gen Z in the world of business. Lee Sullivan, Vice President, American Express provides highlights  some of the key takeaways. Ambition at…

Feature writer Fiona Scott meets Emma Carter, a friend and a client in her PR business, who has recently taken on a new role of CEO of fast-growing managed IT provider WestSpring based in Bristol.  I’ve known Emma Carter for around a decade and we have been both clients and friends over that time – friends all of the time and clients sometimes. I do find that people like Emma are far too rare in business – she’s a woman in a senior position in STEM. So why would I interview a friend and a client, surely that’s a biased…

Craig Rickman crunches some numbers and explores what it may take to amass a seven-figure, tax-efficient pot by the time you reach age 67. Many investors dream of the day that they log in to their online investment account and see a seven-digit sum. Not only is there the fulfilment that comes with having squirrelled away a million quid, but, unless your lifestyle is particularly lavish, it could be your ticket to financial freedom. Reaching this lofty milestone is unlikely to happen overnight – unless you receive a sizeable and unexpected windfall – but it’s certainly not out of reach.…

Across Africa, climate change is reshaping the agricultural landscape, leaving smallholder farmers increasingly vulnerable. These farmers often lack the financial resources needed to adapt, and traditional credit systems, designed and enjoyed by those with far better access, routinely fall short. As a result, vast financial gaps persist, leaving millions without support. According to the World Bank, Africa suffers from one of the world’s largest finance gaps, with some regions seeing shortfalls as high as 88%. The challenge is especially felt by smallholder farmers who are frequently excluded from formal credit systems due to a lack of collateral, limited financial records,…

Once seen as the preserve of multinational giants, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are now quietly—but decisively—transforming how small and mid-sized businesses operate. In an era defined by economic volatility, digital acceleration, and resource constraints, ERP software has become a necessity—not a luxury—for ambitious small firms. This article identifies three small businesses that are entering the new generation of ERP adopters: Penchard, Currencycloud, and Radius Aerospace. 1. Penchard: Manufacturers of handcrafted wooden & metal gates Before ERP Like many growing manufacturers, Penchard—a UK-based company specialising in handcrafted gates and access solutions—was juggling a patchwork of disconnected tools. Spreadsheets for quotes,…

Leading disaster recovery firm, BELFOR UK is delighted to announce the appointment of Yvonne Stokes as National Account Manager. She will be joining the Major & Complex Loss (MCL) team with a dedicated focus on the SME commercial market and development of BELFOR UK’s Red Alert® priority response. As part of the Major Loss team, Stokes will drive the expansion of BELFOR UK’s SME portfolio, collaborating closely with commercial loss adjusters. She will also be responsible for managing current Red Alert® clients while promoting BELFOR UK’s service offerings and exceptional capabilities to commercial clients across the UK, strengthening existing and…

Rock Face, an accessible men’s care brand, is on a mission to shake up the men’s toiletries sector taking on behemoths like Unilever, Proctor & Gamble and L’Oreal. Central to its foundation is a belief that men’s brands should do more to speak to ‘the everyday man’, not just hero the celebrity and do more to amplify positive male role models.         From a product perspective they approach the category differently, working with fragrance houses to create a world class aftershave and infusing the scent into the best formulas on the market. At the helm of the company is James…

The workplace is undergoing a significant transformation. With the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents expected to increase by 327% over the next two years, and Gartner forecasting that 15% of daily work decisions will be automated by 2028, the very nature of leadership is being redefined. But as the world shifts rapidly, agentic AI is not just a tool; it’s a collaborative partner. These systems are reshaping core business functions, from how we communicate to analyse data and make decisions. As AI systems match or surpass human performance in certain areas, the tasks where AI falls short become even…

CleanCo, the world’s leading independent alcohol-free spirits brand1 today announces England Cricket Captain, Ben Stokes OBE as its latest strategic investor, as part of a wider $5 million fundraise. Stokes joins CleanCo as both an investor and brand partner, as the challenger brand is set to realise cash-flow positivity this year. Stokes’ investment in CleanCo was born from his own personal journey re-balancing his relationship with alcohol. His decision to invest stems from a deep alignment to the brand’s ethos: that not drinking doesn’t, and shouldn’t, mean missing out.  Both Stokes’ and CleanCo founder, entrepreneur and Guinness World Record holder,…

Chris Homer and his team at JPA Financial Planning are celebrating the first anniversary of opening their office in Fairford on June 21, 2024. JPA Financial Planning was formerly based in Faringdon but can now be found at 27a London Street, Fairford – just a couple of doors away from Budgens and opposite the Plough Inn. As an experienced financial adviser, Chris has been helping people and businesses with their financial planning for nearly 14 years. JPA Financial Planning is a real local family business run by Chris and his wife, Gemma along with other staff members comprising Gemma’s son,…

This year marks a major personal and professional milestone for Finance Director Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam. As he celebrates turning 50, he’s also marking five successful years at the helm of his business, The FD Consultant based in London yet working all over the UK. With a career spanning global finance, start-ups and FTSE 100 corporations, Romesh reflects on what he’s learnt running his own business over the past five years. “Building this business has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done. It’s pushed me in all the right ways, and reminded me that it’s never too late to keep growing – both personally…

Entrepreneurs Circle (EC) founder Nigel Botterill has revealed how his multi-million-pound business nearly collapsed twice but emerged stronger each time, offering critical lessons for business owners facing adversity. Speaking to SME Today, Botterill detailed how EC survived a £600,000 financial black hole in 2015 and a potentially devastating pandemic crisis in 2020, ultimately doubling in size and recently securing a £4 million property investment to fuel future growth. “The old saying that a smooth sea never made a good sailor also applies to business, explains Botterill. “Every super successful entrepreneur has gone through some storms. 10 years ago, I almost lost…