With the EU parliament’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) coming into force earlier this year ( 18th July), many businesses placing products in the market will now need to take steps to ensure they are compliant, some as early as 2027. Lars Rensing, CEO of Web3 specialist Protokol, provides SMEToday’s readers an outline of the regulation, the reasons why it is being put in place, and crucially, how businesses can prepare. According to current estimates, ‘a massive 2.12 billion tons of waste’ is disposed of every year, and an estimated 99% of what is bought is disposed of within…
Author: Greg Robinson
The Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has today announced a package of proposals as part of the Basel 3.1 implementation process. The SME Supporting Factor, which allowed banks to hold a lower rate of capital to counterbalance loans to small and medium-sized enterprises, is to be removed, but the PRA will in its place introduce a new SME lending adjustment which it believes will have a comparable effect in terms of supporting lending to SMEs. Responding to the announcement, Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “Small firms will greet the PRA’s announcement with cautious optimism, and…
The University of Strathclyde’s Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Innovation has a new name and a newly appointed Director. Formerly The Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, the addition of Strategy and Innovation to the name reflects its expanded focus, scope and alignment with the University’s successful and distinctive strategy. The Centre also has a new Director, Professor Niall MacKenzie. The family name of Sir Tom Hunter, the Centre’s principal benefactor, remains front and centre and The Hunter Foundation remains closely involved in the department, which encompasses scholarship, knowledge exchange and teaching activities around entrepreneurship, strategy, and innovation. Professor MacKenzie, who joined Strathclyde…
New research from BrightHR highlights uncertainty among business owners in the UK about how they will need to prepare for Labour’s extensive agenda for employment law reform. The leading HR and health & safety software provider surveyed business owners across the UK about their awareness, understanding, and preparedness for Labour’s incoming employment law reforms, including the introduction of new day-one rights, the expansion of flexible working, and reforms to statutory sick pay (SSP). The survey was sent to business owners in all major industries in the UK, including construction, education, retail, healthcare, financial services, and transportation. The majority of respondents…
Funding Circle launches market-leading Cashback Business Credit Card, rewarding SMEs on everyday transactions Funding Circle, the UK’s leading SME lending platform, has launched its latest product, the Funding Circle Cashback Business Credit Card to support small businesses with everyday business transactions, as its next step in backing more SMEs with the finance they need. The Cashback card offers market-leading benefits with 2% cashback on all business spending for the first six months – earning up to £2,000 – and 1% unlimited cashback after that. The product allows customers to repay in full or through part-payments, and earn cashback on every…
What is TISE and TISE Private Markets? TheCEO of the International Stock Exchange (TISE) and operator of TISE Private Markets, Cees Vermaas explains. The International Stock Exchange (TISE) is an established operator of public markets, and we are best known as a leading European bond market but last year we diversified with the launch of a private markets offering, TISE Private Markets. We spent two years speaking to private companies and other interested parties to develop and refine our proposition in private markets. Private companies told us that they wanted a system that is simple and convenient but not like…
The information age has brought many small and medium businesses (SMBs) closer to their customers than ever before, with email, social media and SMS allowing for immediate, low-cost communication. But this access has come alongside constantly evolving consumer expectations. SMBs may not have the resources of their larger competitors, but consumers still expect any contact to be relevant, informative and – most of all – pleasant. Antony Paul, Global Product Head at Quadient, explains how, with year-on-year complaints around nuisance calls increasing by 31%, businesses need to make sure they don’t cross the line from helpful communications into pestering. Worse,…
Astroscale Ltd. (“Astroscale UK”), the UK subsidiary of Astroscale Holdings Inc. (“Astroscale”), the market leader in satellite servicing and long-term orbital sustainability across all orbits, has been awarded a GBP £1.95 million contract by the UK Space Agency to continue development of its Cleaning Outer Space Mission through Innovative Capture (COSMIC) spacecraft. COSMIC is Astroscale’s solution for a UK national active debris removal (ADR) mission to remove two inactive British satellites from space. This next mission phase will focus on maturing and de-risking key technologies identified in the previous UK ADR phases, such as the robotic capture system and debris…
Havas Media Network Launches 2024 Havas Boost Programme to support entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds in the North-West of England. £150k of funding, advertising and resource support is up for grabs for one budding entrepreneur from less advantaged backgrounds outside of London thanks to an entrepreneurship programme Havas Boost launched by Havas Media Network UK. Ten applicants will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas in a Dragon’s Den-style event during Global Entrepreneurship Week (18-25 November). Applicants must come from less advantaged backgrounds and own a business (2-3 years) demonstrating a purpose beyond profit. Following the Dragon’s Den-style pitch in…
His journey to Paris 2024 was marked by a series of achievements, including maintaining the World No. 1 ranking for a significant part of 2023. Chris’s rigorous training and participation in prestigious events such as the European and World Championships, as well as the Grand Prix judo tournament in Georgia, secured his place at the Paralympics. Chris’ aim was to achieve a rare feat in judo history – medalling in two Paralympic Games across different weight categories. Despite the challenges posed by the new weight category, Chris remained dedicated in his pursuit of excellence. “When I stepped onto the mat…