When Pam Hilling started her sweet treats business during the UK’s second Covid-19 lockdown, she never for a moment thought she would grow her business into the thriving enterprise it is today. Yet Epic Brownies, which is based in Maidenhead, has seen huge growth since its humble beginnings in Pam’s home kitchen in 2020. Now available across mainland UK and beyond, Epic Brownies has already snapped up several Great Taste Awards, as well as being the chosen producer of special Coronation brownies for retail giant John Lewis as part of the celebrations for King Charles III. Pam’s story, like many…
Author: sme-admin
City living and office life in the UK are becoming increasingly dog-friendly, with many companies opening their doors to furry companions. But what are the best dog breeds for navigating the bustling streets of the city and thriving in dog-friendly offices? To answer this question, Barkridges, a company that specialises in unique, innovative and durable dog harnesses, have compiled a list of the top 10 dog breeds for city life and dog-friendly offices in the UK, drawing insights from reputable sources such as The Kennel Club, RSPCA and PDSA, ranked based on their size, energy needs and trainability. Toy Cockapoos…
In today’s turbulent economic landscape, many SME business owners find themselves concerned by the impact of rising interest rates. With inflation at a 40-year high, it’s not surprising that 65% of SME proprietors feel it’s become a more daunting task to sustain their ventures given the rising cost of living. Recent data from the Federation of Small Businesses highlight that while business confidence seems to be on an upward trajectory, growth has been hampered. Factors such as tepid demand, escalating energy and rent expenses, coupled with mounting third-party overheads, are proving to be quite the challenge. Echoing this, Millbrook Business…
As nations and AI experts convene for the first global AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park, the world’s attention is firmly fixed on the critical issue of AI and its implications for the future. The summit, initiated by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is a significant step towards fostering a shared understanding of AI risks and creating a safer AI landscape for all. It brings together leading AI nations, organizations, and experts in an effort to shape the global future of AI. Cecilia Harvey, a prominent executive leader and the founder of Tech Women Today, has emphasized the importance of…
The Bank of England’s decision to maintain its key interest rate at 5.25% has sparked a range of perspectives and reactions from financial experts and industry leaders. George Lagarias, Chief Economist at Mazars, observes the ongoing struggle within the Bank, highlighting the challenges of a stagnant UK economy and the delicate balancing act faced by its board members. Michael McGowan, Managing Director of Foreign Exchange at Bibby Financial Services, notes the impact on businesses, particularly SMEs, and the potential consequences of exchange rate fluctuations. Meanwhile, Mike Randall, CEO of Simply Asset Finance, stresses the resilience of small businesses in the…
More consumers are starting their Christmas shopping earlier in the year, and with eCommerce continuing to drive the shifting shopping landscape, brands and marketers must get one step ahead in their marketing efforts if they wish to proactively respond to a changing shopping landscape this holiday season. In 2022, 78% of people bought one or more items from their Christmas lists online, and over half of UK consumers started shopping before December. So, while Hallowe’en might still be on the horizon, businesses must also begin preparing their Christmas campaigns in advance to ensure they capture consumer consideration early on. With…
Today’s insurance landscape is a complex web of inefficiencies. Currently, brokers are forced to spend far too much time on menial admin and not enough time sourcing the best possible deal for their clients. This has resulted in an epidemic of inaccurate insurance pricing, with research revealing that as much as 80% of SMEs are underinsured in the UK by as much as 45%. The problem exists across large companies too, with reports showing that 40% of all commercial properties are underinsured. Damningly, 80% of businesses affected by a major incident close down with 18 months, partly due to not…
Research has been conducted as part of Remitly and Visa’s The Future of Digital Remittance campaign, which revealed that digital transformation is reshaping the global economy. A Visa survey found that 59% of small businesses are either already employing digital payments or planning to exclusively use such methods. Additionally, over 70% believe that embracing digital payments is crucial to their company’s growth. The number of global merchant outlets accepting card payments is projected to reach 100 million by the end of 2025, growing from 74.5 million in 2019. This rise has been propelled by the surge in contactless payments during the pandemic. The total…
The latest £40 million debt facility will provide funding to support a diverse range of projects, from those at an early stage of development through to those ready to build. Innova develops, builds, and operates a range of innovative, environmentally sustainable, long-term renewable energy solutions. The company holds one of the UK’s largest portfolios of renewable energy generation sites – with over 60 Distribution Network Operators (DNO) and National Grid connected sites under development in the UK that have a combined solar and storage capacity in excess of 24GW. The facility agreed with Triple Point builds on the long-standing partnership between…
SME Today spotlights My Inclusion Hub, the first platform designed specifically for SMEs, which helps organisations successfully integrate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to transform workplace culture and support long term business success. If you’ve come across the concept of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) but find yourself unsure or hesitant about it, you’re not alone. DEI encompasses a set of policies and programs aimed at fostering the representation and participation of diverse groups within the workplace. It strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and harnesses the full spectrum of talent. Some dismiss DEI as an unnecessary burden or…