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,…
Author: Greg Robinson
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…
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…