Rob Curtis, digital marketing specialist, founder of The Pursuit Agency, will be appearing as a guest speaker at South West Business Expo at STEAM in Swindon. Rob founded the Swindon-based marketing company in 2022, and will be hosting a talk for attendees at the South West Business Expo to urge ambitious businesses to embrace bold and strategic thinking and abandon the concept of ‘playing it safe’. The business event takes place on Thursday 10th of July. “I can’t wait for the South West Business Expo in Swindon. It’s always a great event, and anyone looking to grow their…
Author: sme-admin
As ransomware continues to pose a serious threat to businesses worldwide, the UK Government has proposed new ransomware incident response rules aimed at reducing payments made by victims and enhancing the government’s ability to respond to these attacks. These proposals are part of a broader effort to reform UK cyber security rules, which was announced last year and is expected to take shape in 2025. What is the Ransomware Reporting Consultation? The UK Government’s Home Office has launched a consultation on new ransomware incident response rules. The main objectives of these proposals are to reduce the amount of money flowing to ransomware…
When putting together a bid strategy or business proposal, it’s crucial to showcase value that extends beyond simply offering the lowest price. Winning new business proposals is no easy feat. And writing them is unfortunately no easier. For new or small businesses, the process of bidding for contracts can be overwhelming, and leave you feeling unsure on what you truly bring to the table, especially in the face of stiff competition. If you’re left wondering what you can really offer a potential customer, the obvious choice might be to undercut on price. After all, better ROI and a lower price…
Joel Stone, founder of marketing agency Codebreak and SME AI and automation consultancy, That AI Guy, dives into the world of generative AI to explore how small business owners can use it to supercharge their products and services. Every man and his dog seems to be generating images with AI these days. You’ve probably seen the action figure trend, with big brands like Aldi and Holland & Barrett jumping on the bandwagon. Tools like Canva, Runway, Chat GPT and Sora are making it easier than ever. But the question is: could generative AI revolutionise marketing and give small businesses a…
Tide, the leading business financial platform in the UK, has been announced as the headline sponsor for 2025’s prestigious everywoman Entrepreneur Awards. The partnership will support female business owners through a year-long high-impact programme aimed at unlocking new opportunities for female founders ready to take their businesses to the next level. The everywoman awards have become a springboard for countless female entrepreneurs since their inception in 2003, providing a gateway to game-changing partnerships, commercial deals and investment opportunities that can dramatically accelerate business growth. The awards shine a spotlight on the UK’s most inspiring female entrepreneurs, from early-stage start-ups to…
In this compelling interview, we hear from Alexandra Palt, one of the foremost voices in sustainability today and widely recognised as the top keynote speaker on sustainable supply chains and the future of ethical supply chains. As the Executive Vice President of the L’Oréal Foundation and Chief Sustainability Officer at L’Oréal, Alexandra has been instrumental in leading the company’s ambitious transformation – redefining what corporate responsibility looks like in the 21st century. Her deep expertise, spanning sustainability leadership, gender equality, and inclusive innovation, places her at the heart of some of the most important conversations shaping global business today. In…
After a powerful appearance on the BBC Panorama documentary, motivational speaker and entrepreneur Brad Burton will headline The South West Expo on Thursday, 10th July 2025 at The Steam Museum, Swindon. Brad’s recent Panorama feature shed light on his harrowing experience as a victim of online stalking, a battle he has faced for the past four years. Despite the trauma, Brad has emerged stronger and more determined than ever—turning adversity into strength and using his voice to inspire others. Having worked with and inspired some of the world’s biggest brands, Brad will share his deeply personal and motivational story during…
The UK’s new Industrial Strategy, launched in June 2025, is a 10-year plan to boost business investment and drive growth in key sectors. It focuses on making it easier and quicker for businesses to invest, providing stability for long-term decisions, and creating 1.1 million new jobs. The strategy identifies eight high-growth sectors and includes tailored plans for each. Responding to the publication of the new Industrial Strategy, Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “Through opening up procurement, helping to tackle late payments, and supporting new sectors adopt new technologies, this document outlines ways to help the UK’s 5.5…
Simon Heath is a Partner of Heligan Group with 20 years of mid-market M&A advisory experience, having previously been a Director at KPMG Corporate Finance. In this article he explains how to sell a business in plain terms, breaking down the process into six key steps: There comes a moment, after years of building something from scratch, when a business owner looks up and wonders: “Is it time to move on?” It’s rarely just about the money. More often, it’s about timing, identity, and legacy. Selling a business isn’t just a transaction. It’s a turning point. For many, it’s the…
Swindon-based health and safety business, Secure Safety Solutions, is issuing a warning for business owners to protect staff as UK temperatures rise. Secure Safety Solutions’ Director and Senior Safety Consultant, Andrew Wilkinson, has been advising businesses on their health and safety since 2019 though he’s been a specialist for many years, previously working at Heathrow Airport. With UK temperatures set to rise exponentially in the summer of 2025, Andrew wants local companies to take care of their staff. “As there is no maximum set in legislation for upper levels of temperature, it can be difficult for employers to know when…