As the UK braces for the Autumn Statement tomorrow, 3 industry leaders have shared their pre-budget insights, offering targeted recommendations for key reforms. The collective call is for reforms that extend beyond immediate fiscal relief, laying the groundwork for a resilient and thriving economic landscape. Following extensive conversations with customers and recent research, Mike Randall, CEO at Simply Asset Finance pinpoints four pivotal initiatives he urges the Chancellor to prioritise to enhance the business landscape for SMEs who have faced some of the most difficult months on record: Extend the Full Expensing scheme and make it permanent. “The implementation of the full expensing…
Author: sme-admin
As winter approaches, the likelihood of indoor fires surges within businesses. This heightened risk stems from various factors, including the increase in the use of central heating systems, the installation of festive decorations in workplaces and end-of-year fatigue. The Detailed Analysis of Fires Attended by Fire and Rescue Services Report published by the government in September has revealed that between 2022-23: A staggering 29% of fires stem from mishandled equipment or appliances Misuse of appliances caused 13% of fires in 2023 Flames sparked by flammable items and coming into contact with heat accounted for more than 15% of last year’s blazes Worryingly, 43% of fires go unnoticed by smoke detectors across…
As the business landscape in the UK continues to evolve, office search agency, Sketch Labs reveals a 100% increase in searches for ‘coworking space’ in the last five years. This data underscores the rise in remote and hybrid working models and indicates that employees are more than ever, seeking flexible environments to create a balance in their professional and personal lives. The data, compiled by Sketch Labs discovered that from 2018 to 2023, UK searches for ‘coworking space’ have doubled, reflecting a noticeable shift in how individuals and businesses alike are reimagining the concept of workspaces. Further statistics reveal that by 2024,…
In the last few weeks and months, a steady wave of business leaders has written to the government calling on them to scrap the inflation-linked increase in Business Rates expected. With the 2023 autumn budget right around the corner (22nd November), this only becomes more relevant for commercial property owners and tenants. Molly Jackson-Holm, from RVA Surveyors, provides some insight. Anthony Hughes, Managing Director at RVA Surveyors, expressed his concerns for the upcoming autumn budget. “This is something everyone in the rating industry has been following for a while,” Hughes said, “It could quite easily spell disaster for many. Spending…
Sick building syndrome is an elusive health condition – we have a limited understanding of it, other than its core symptoms and that it’s most commonly developed by poor office environments. Workspaces that are dirty, unorganised, lacking in natural light and using outdated equipment can cause employees to feel intense symptoms of sickness, including nausea, headaches, eye strain, dry skin and others that have now been officially recognised by the NHS as a result of a poor working environment. But with hybrid working becoming more common, what does sick building syndrome mean for home workers? How can we craft our…
Women Around the World Recognised at Event in New York Community Interest Company, Cherishers, has been named the winner of a Bronze and Silver Stevie® Award in the “Achievement in equal pay and nonprofit organisation of the year for 10 employees plus” category in the 20th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honour the worldwide achievements of female executives, entrepreneurs, employees, and the companies they run. The award is widely acclaimed as the foremost business award worldwide. Dubbed the “Stevie,” derived from the Greek word for “crowned,” these awards were presented to…
Deloitte has announced, Friday 17 November 2023, the winners of the 2023 UK Technology Fast 50 awards. The awards recognise and rank the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in the UK, based on average revenue growth over a four-year period, and are sponsored by Multiverse, Oracle NetSuite, BGF and HSBC Innovation Banking. The 2023 Fast 50 winners have a collective average four-year growth rate of 5,473%, total revenues of £801 million in 2022/23, and employ almost 15,000 people in the UK. Allica Bank named overall winner Fintech company Allica Bank is the overall winner of the 2023 UK Technology Fast 50…
Founded in 2018 in Greater Manchester by Managing Director Paul James and Technical Director Paul Bate, Red Rock Communications has become a beacon of inspiration in the telecommunications industry. As the company celebrates its 5th anniversary, it reflects on its significant growth, both in team size and client base, solidifying its position as a trusted partner for businesses seeking seamless connectivity solutions. Our journey: Red Rock boasts a fully-fledged workforce spanning sales, support, marketing, finance, and operations. Over theyears, the company has played a pivotal role in keeping businesses like COP UK, Williams BMW, Brook Sexual Health, Tameside College, Harvey’s,…
On average, 36 shops close their doors across British high streets every week. However, many small business owners still bet on traditional retail, with an 18 per cent rise in pop-up shop openings in the past year. These outlets are often deemed high street saviours, but they come with technology challenges. Here, Kristian Torode, director and co-founder of small business broadband provider Crystaline, explores the best connectivity options for short-term retail sites. The impact of increasing rents, changing shopping habits and pandemic lockdowns means many traditional retailers are shutting up shop for good. This year has already seen the permanent…
Julie Taylor, Partner from Fenton Elliott Solicitors, set up this new business book club in September 2023 to explore her growing interest in business management topics with local professionals. Working in employment law, she regularly experiences how individual personalities can have a huge impact on how disputes in the workplace both originate and find resolution, dealing with the employment tribunal claims where these escalate. With a long-standing passion for all sorts of literature, she found that many of the books on her reading list explored topics that could help managers lead and get the best from their employees or provide…