In the complex world of business operations—particularly within public projects or regulated sectors—whistleblowing is often misunderstood. While it can raise red flags and trigger uncomfortable scrutiny, whistleblowing isn’t inherently negative. In fact, when handled correctly, it serves as a powerful tool for transparency and accountability. However, when ignored, mishandled, or punished, the consequences can be severe—legally, financially, and reputationally. The recent £320,000 employment tribunal award to Stephen Cresswell, a former HS2 project risk specialist, highlights just how costly those consequences can be. According to recent reports, Cresswell claimed that his contract with HS2 was not renewed in 2022 after he…

Entrepreneurs Circle, the UK’s largest private organisation dedicated to helping business owners grow, has taken a bold leap forward with the £5 million purchase of a new 15,000 sq ft national headquarters — a significant investment in the future of its business and its membership. Founder and CEO Nigel Botterill had originally been looking for “a slightly larger office” to support the growth of his expanding team…what he found was something else entirely. “As the lease was coming up we were just browsing at first,” said Botterill. “We’d seen a few on our doorstep but nothing was setting the pulses racing. Then, we…

In today’s volatile economic climate, maintaining strong cash flow isn’t just good practice — it’s critical to business survival. For SMEs in particular, the ability to convert invoices into working capital can be the difference between growth and collapse. Uday Patel, Partner at Judge & Priestley LLP, works closely with business owners facing the pressures of late payments and debt recovery. In this article, he highlights why liquidity is essential and how a strategic, legally backed approach to debt collection can help safeguard your business’s future. “Cash flow is the pulse – the key vital sign of a company”, Jack…

It will soon be compulsory for business directors across the UK to verify their identity at Companies House.  The exact date when this will become mandatory is not known at the time of writing but it is expected to be introduced from autumn 2025. Bernadette Young Co-founder and Director of Indigo Independent Governance provides SMEToday’s readers with some guidance. There are around 7.8 million directorships in UK companies, and many others who are PSCs or LLP members. While some people hold multiple appointments and will only need to verify their ID once, an incredibly large number of people are expected to…

Alec Dent, a British-French entrepreneur known for co-founding and exiting VC-backed grocery delivery business Weezy, has launched 1868 Capital, a search fund focused on acquiring and operating a profitable British SME with the support of a committed international group of SME investors. With this venture, Dent’s journey comes full circle. He began his career as MD in France for BBA Reman, a British-based SME remanufacturing automotive electronics across Europe, instilling an appreciation for businesses serving niches to a high standard. “I wanted to return to my roots in SMEs after recently building Weezy from inception to exit, where we pioneered…

Manufacturing and transport sectors are stepping into the Ascot spotlight, as businesses turn to luxury experiences to win deals and deepen relationships. In the race for attention, loyalty, and growth, UK businesses are thinking differently about how they connect with clients and colleagues in 2025 – and Royal Ascot is fast becoming the go-to destination. Forget the days of after-work socials at the mini golf bar opposite the office. Today’s companies are investing in premium, high-energy experiences that don’t just impress, they convert. And this year, a surprising shift is underway at one of Britain’s most iconic events. According to…

For many family businesses, succession planning is easy to ignore. Conversations about ageing, retirement, death, and family dynamics can be uncomfortable. However, ignoring these issues and putting off difficult conversations does not make these problems dissipate. In fact, the cost of doing nothing can be greater than many family business owners realise. Without a formal succession plan, what’s at stake isn’t just control of the business – it’s the emotional wellbeing of the family, the financial stability of the enterprise, and the operational continuity of everything that’s been built. Jeff Simpson, Head of Wealth Management, Hymans Robertson Personal Wealth, provides…

Award-winning free-from brand Creative Nature is celebrating a major milestone with the launch of its very first kids’ snack bar range. The new Berry & Beetroot Oatie Snack Bars are launching in 510 Tesco Free From sections across the UK, bringing a colourful, nutritious and inclusive snack option to families nationwide. Made with a blend of fruit and vegetables, each bar is completely free from the top 14 allergens, including dairy, gluten, nuts, and eggs. Designed with younger snackers in mind, the bars are available both individually and in multipacks of four (4 x 25g), with an RRP of £3.…

Gold Traders UK Ltd, a leading precious metals buyer headquartered in Wiltshire, has opened its newest branch in Bodmin, Cornwall. Located at 3 Fore Street, in the historic former HSBC building, Gold Traders Bodmin welcomes customers from Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. “We are proud to bring our trusted precious metal buying service to Cornwall,” said Jon White, Gold Traders’ founder. “Gold Traders Bodmin reflects our ongoing commitment to providing accessible, face-to-face consultations for those looking to sell their unwanted jewellery, silverware, coins and more for a fair and ethical price.” Established in Wiltshire in 2008, Gold…

Kent-based businessman Chris Maslin, founder of Go EO, is sharing expert advice on what to think about if you are considering passing some of the risks and rewards of passing ownership to your employees. “Two acronyms you’ll hear a lot with regard to employee share ownership are EOT and EMI. Whilst they sound similar, they achieve very different things,” Chris said. EOT stands for Employee Ownership Trust and is a way of exiting your business. You’ll sell a controlling stake (potentially all your shares) to a trust, set up for the benefit of all company employees. The staff don’t put…

International communication and influence expert and author Jose Ucar has been confirmed as a speaker at Leadership Live 2025. Leadership Live is an annual event that welcomes all, especially aspiring managers and leaders as well as those who are already senior leaders or responsible for developing and driving people. The full-day event in London involves networking, inspiration, and practical insights from industry trailblazers. They offer a range of interactive workshops and keynote speakers. Jose’s talk ‘Speak with Impact and Create Change’  will reveal strategies to help leaders speak with impact through the power of simplicity. The session will teach participants…

With a career spanning more than 25 years, Melissa Robertson has shaped some of the UK’s most recognisable creative work and steered agencies through times of transformation and growth. From her early days at Grey London to helping launch Miles Calcraft Briginshaw Duffy and co-founding the independent agency Now, Melissa’s journey reflects not just staying power but also a drive to challenge convention. As CEO of Dark Horses — the sport, fitness and wellbeing agency with creativity in its DNA — Melissa leads a team united by a passion for performance, both on the pitch and in the work they deliver. A champion…

Digital and AI transformation consultancy Daemon today announced the launch of its pioneering AI-First Squad, a specialist team set to challenge and transform the software development lifecycle. This initiative goes beyond integrating AI tools by introducing an evolution in how technology solutions are conceived, built, and deployed, aiming to deliver efficiencies and significant value for clients.  The AI-First Squad addresses the common challenge businesses face: moving beyond incremental gains and navigating AI-related hype. Daemon’s new offering establishes a dedicated expert team combining industry-leading digital engineering practices with generative AI (GenAI) tooling and experimental methodologies. The squad will implement proven “AI-first”…

Meet Tiger Lily Beck and Demi Smith, the founders of Flex and The City, which launched just over a year ago. Both in their mid-twenties and hailing from Hertfordshire, these young entrepreneurs have been lifelong friends who suddenly realised they could create a business together once they understood each other’s professions. Fiona Scott chatted with them about their ‘great idea’ and how it’s going. What is Flex and The City? Tiger Lily: It’s a new digital hub for professionals in the flex industry – so it’s all connected to the flexible workspace sector. We are also a press and media platform…

One rarely meets someone with a remarkable career trajectory—such as starting as a delivery driver and later becoming Managing Director of the same company. Paul Day did just that, beginning his journey at Filestream Ltd as a van driver and, over the course of 25 years, working his way up to become Managing Director. This progression provides Paul with unique insights when engaging with fellow entrepreneurs, business owners, and employees. His experience transitioning from employee to employer has equipped him with valuable knowledge and understanding that resonates with those working in Britain’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Paul’s down-to-earth and…

Rob Boland, Interim-COO, pirkx The world has moved on – employee benefits need to move on too The world of work has fundamentally changed over the past decade. People have more choice in who they work for, how they work and where they work. Most critically, people want to work for a business that looks after them as individuals and shows them they are cared for beyond simply being a ‘cog in the machine’. They want to know that there is support for them as they try to make the best of their lives, in and out of the workplace.…