Hannah Pettit, Associate in the Technology Sector team at Ashfords looks at the issues surrounding the fine issued at the start of this year by the Irish Data Protection Commission (the “DPC”) to WhatsApp Ireland Limited a €5.5 million fine for: incorrectly seeking to rely on performance of a contract with its users in order to process their personal data for the purposes of service improvements and security (the “lawful basis infringement”); and infringing the GDPR fairness principle (the “fairness principle infringement”). This might not seem like a particularly high value fine when you take into account the significant turnover…
Author: sme-admin
Creative Nature, one of the UK’s leading top-14 allergen free snack brands, based in Surrey, has appointed Lance Hayward as their new non-executive director. Lance has over 30 years of industry experience with a focus on organisations of all sizes to succeed. He’s the MD and founder of The Hayward Partnership which launched in June 2014. The Hayward Partnership is a group of independent industry experts from around the world providing a range of services including global consultancy, recruitment and interim management services to the travel catering and retail sectors. Lance said about his appointment: “‘I was delighted to be…
A rise in demand for bespoke, handcrafted shepherd huts has led to the expansion of Somerset based company Greendown Shepherds Huts. The team of 15 – led by founders Richard Hodges, Harry Long and his brother-in-law, director Jordan Franklin – have seen such a rise in demand for their luxurious products that they’ve had to move their operation to larger premises. Now they are based at Zeal Green Business Park near Keynsham, giving them the space to expand and grow their brand. Greendown Shepherd Huts are in their seventh year and production is projected to increase to two huts per…
The past three years have forced a re-think for many manufacturing businesses in the UK, as supply chain networks have faltered. Luke Smoothy, Founder and Director of manufacturing specialist Get It Made, looks at how SMEs can boost their resilience through harnessing technology and other key strategies. Improve supply chain monitoring A recent report by Make UK shows that 93% of manufacturing businesses agreed that supply chains will remain under pressure through 2024 at least. While businesses have evolved their supply chains by necessity, they can seize further opportunity through further improving strategies and harnessing technology. While 82% of manufacturers…
SME leaders from across the country are benefitting from the 90% funded business growth course, Help to Grow: Management. Delivered in collaboration with industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs, the course enhances leadership and management skills, helping to drive economic growth nationwide. Launched in 2021, the Help to Grow: Management course has been created to provide the management tools needed to help talented business leaders innovate and grow their business. Designed to be manageable alongside full-time work, the 12-week blended learning course includes modules that cover financial management, digital adoption, leading high-performance teams, and responsible business practices. Having held the Small…
Your business’s brand lets you speak directly to your target audience and be seen and thought of in exactly the way you wish – it is the personality of your company and vital for business success. To create a positive image, collaboration is key. By working with your employees to define and build your brand, you can create a strong and impactful approach for your organisation both internally and externally. Why Is Collaboration Key For Building A Brand? Working together as a team means improving how the team works – how it achieves deadlines and delivers to a high standard,…
Now, perhaps more than ever, looking after your mental health at work is crucial. It’s been a really tricky few years with many challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic, political instability, and now the cost-of-living crisis. The truth is, our mental health is impacted by all parts of our life. And as we spend more than a third of our time working (for small businesses owners that time is likely to be higher) taking care of your wellbeing at work has never been more important. And the good news is, it doesn’t have to be difficult. Making small changes can have…
The IPO is launching a questionnaire for SME, small-cap and mid-cap businesses on Standard Essential Patents.The Government wants to hear views from SME, small-cap and mid-cap businesses on the current Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) framework. This will help the Government ensure that the ecosystem around SEPs is functioning effectively and striking the right balance for entities involved.They particularly want to hear from those involved with the development or production of interoperable products or services that use technical standards. This will inform on issues such as: Do you have sufficient information on how your innovation relates to SEPs? Is the current system fair…
New research finds half of UK homeowners don’t have enough internal space. The new study conducted by self storage provider, Ready Steady Store, surveyed over 1,000 homeowners to understand their storage habits and needs. The results showed that despite a fifth of respondents refusing to sell any items second-hand to declutter their homes, 50% still believed they needed additional space. This research comes as the Bank of England debates further increases in its base rate, which have forced interest and resulting mortgage rates to a 15-year high. As such, increasing numbers of homeowners are unlikely to be able to upscale their properties…
Dr Andres Perez Ruiz at The University of Law Business School shares his watch outs for the 2023/24 tax year The total number of SMEs in the UK fell in 2022 by around 1.4%, following a 6.5% drop the previous year. As SMEs continue to face the backlash from Covid and cost of living crisis, many will be carefully planning for the 2023/24 tax year to ensure they can prosper. The Chancellor’s latest budget included several measures aimed at boosting the economy by providing support to SMEs and small business owners. With the right guidance and advice, there are opportunities…