By Tokunbo Ajasa-Oluwa, CEO, Career Ready For many young people, it is still the case that their career prospects will be determined not by their potential but by their background. As several recent reports have demonstrated, as a nation we are making little progress in terms of social mobility. This matters for our younger generations; it also matters for the economy. If young people continue to face unfair and unnecessary barriers into education and employment, employers will continue to miss out on a vibrant and diverse talent pool. At a time when many companies are grappling with skills shortages and…
Author: sme-admin
UK Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are looking forward to a promising 2024, as they expect to hit an average of 15% year-on-year revenue growth, bringing overall SME turnover from £2trillion (tn) in 2023 to £2.3tn next year1. New research outlined in the Ambition Index from Three Business – the B2B arm of the Mobile network Three – has revealed SMEs are still looking ahead to a promising 2024 with a renewed sense of optimism and ambition, following the post-pandemic years. Contrary to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) gloomy outlook, that Britain’s economy will be the slowest growing among G7…
In the Firm (The Forum for In-house Recruiters) Awards this year, eSift were delighted to be awarded the Best Supplier Partnership award for their work with Pilgrim’s Food Masters, adding to the award they had previously achieved for their Recruitment on Demand service. These awards demonstrate that companies should always appreciate the power of a boutique business to lead the way and provide a flexible and agile service to its partners. In 2021 Kerry Foods sold its meat and ready meals division to Pilgrim’s, and part of the process involved setting up a Recruitment function to manage the new division.…
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…
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…