On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Great British Expos proudly hosted the vibrant 13th Annual Windsor Expo at Royal Windsor Racecourse. Fifty diverse businesses from across the region came together, showcasing an impressive array of services such as accountancy, innovative marketing strategies, reliable IT support, and expert legal services. Alec Jones-Hall, the passionate Director of Great British Expos and the mastermind behind the event, expressed his excitement, highlighting that this year’s participation level reached an impressive peak not seen since before the disruptions of 2020. The Expo provided an invaluable platform for local businesses to highlight their unique offerings and products…
Author: sme-admin
A Harvard, MIT, and Wharton study revealed that VC pitches voiced by men were more than twice as likely to secure funding as identical pitches voiced by women. For generations, women have been deemed biologically more risk-averse than men – but is that really the case? The myth stems from the outdated notion that risk-taking is inherently masculine, with traditional studies often framing risk through a narrow male-centric lens. To challenge the narrative, experts at VIP Grinders explored how women aren’t less risk-averse – they’re more risk-aware and, in fact, strategic risk-takers. They also teamed up with career experts JobLeads to offer 5 strategies for women to break through the glass ceiling at work. Research from VIP…
Jose Ucar, international communication and influence expert, will deliver a new virtual session titled “The Art of Difficult Conversations”, in collaboration with findcourses, part of Keystone Education Group, on Thursday 26th June at 4 PM (UK time). This interactive webinar is designed for professionals, leaders and teams who want to master the art of handling challenging conversations in a way that strengthens relationships and supports long-term organisational success. Whether it’s resolving tension, sharing feedback, or aligning on goals, difficult conversations are an essential part of working life. Yet many people avoid them—often at the expense of clarity, trust and performance.…
Author: Ravi Sidhu, Subject Matter Expert, Credit Risk, Dun & Bradstreet SME lending is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the increasing availability and sophisticated application of data. For too long, small and medium-sized enterprises have faced persistent hurdles in accessing finance through traditional methods due to strict lending criteria and substantial collateral. The good news, however, is that we have seen an increase in challengers entering the arena. Challenger banks now account for 60% of lending to SMEs, increasing lending options that previously didn’t exist. With this, we’ve seen the rise of new data-driven tools and approaches that are…
Dr Jo Salter MBE is a pioneering force in both aviation and leadership. Best known as the first female fast jet pilot in the Royal Air Force, Jo earned her wings in 1992 and flew the Panavia Tornado with 617 Squadron, rising to prominence in a field historically dominated by men. Her trailblazing career didn’t stop there — she has also been a leader of an all-male squadron, a passionate advocate for women in STEM and defence, and a Trustee of The Royal Air Force Club. Her journey from military service to the world of business is a testament to…
Leading UK technology consultancy identifies the key warning signs that your Target Operating Model isn’t working for you. “Whilst the need for a resilient, forward-looking Target Operating Model (TOM) has never been more urgent,” urges Pete Smyth, CEO at Leading Resolutions, “CIOs must effectively and comprehensively assess their existing TOM or risk costly setbacks in their business operations.” Pete has identified the 3 key signs that indicate your TOM is inefficient, underperforming or even disrupting daily operations. You haven’t changed your model since the last major change in your business. “For SMBs, strategic flexibility is essential to staying responsive and…
By Chaithanya Kumar, CEO and Founder at Incepteo Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the UK’s financial services industry at an astonishing pace. From smarter credit scoring to automated compliance and fraud prevention, AI is unlocking new efficiencies and creating more personalised, responsive customer experiences. The UK AI in finance market is forecast to grow from £1.2 billion in 2024 to £8.5 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.8%. A clear signal of strong momentum and continued investment. Adoption is already widespread: 75% of UK financial firms currently use AI in some form, and another 10%…
Having worked closely with high growth SMEs over the past decade, Todd Davison, MD of Purbeck Insurance Services, the UK’s only provider of personal guarantee insurance, knows more than most, the key ingredients to take a business to the next level: Overall: Have a clear vision – all high growth SMEs have a well-defined mission and long-term goals, which guide decision-making. Dynamism – don’t be afraid to pivot or experiment, using lean startup principles. Data focus – track KPIs religiously and use dashboards to monitor performance in real time. Strong culture – harbour a strong culture to build staff engagement/brand ambassadors.…
Following reports that a third of hospitality businesses are now operating at a loss thanks to recent tax hikes, new research has revealed that the sector also ranks bottom for UK wages. Besides the financial pressure on hospitality firms, UK Hospitality figures show that the sector is also experiencing significant worker shortages, with 48% more vacancies than pre-pandemic levels. Experts warn that low pay is likely contributing to this staff exodus – the business finance experts at money.co.uk business bank accounts have analysed the latest government pay figures to reveal the industries offering the lowest hourly pay: Rank Industry Median weekly paid hours…
By Douglas Grant, Managing Director at Manx Financial Group Ongoing tariff disputes and shifting regulatory landscapes continue to disrupt global trade. For UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), these uncertainties can impact export margins, increase input costs, and complicate growth planning. Yet, in volatility lies opportunity. Businesses that are agile and financially prepared can not only mitigate risks but also gain a competitive edge. Here are five practical ways UK SMEs can adapt their financial strategies in response to global tariff uncertainty: 1. Diversify export markets Rising protectionism, particularly under a renewed “America First” approach, is reshaping global trade dynamics.…