By Lars Rensing, CEO of Protokol, DPP Solution Provider The European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation entered into force in 2024, and over the course of the year, many SMEs became aware of the impact heading their way. The regulation – which aims to make ‘sustainable products the new norm in the EU’ –  puts a real focus on product longevity, energy efficiency, ease of repair, and recycling, relying on access to data on product lifecycles across the supply chain to support this. Core to the regulation are Digital Product Passports (DPPs) which have been mandated for compliance. DPPs…

Public procurement is one of the largest areas of government spending in the UK, with approximately £300 billion of taxpayers’ money being used to purchase goods and services across sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, and more. In 2021/22, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) secured around £21 billion in direct government contracts, and this figure nearly doubled in 2022/23, reaching £39.7 billion. As part of broader reforms aimed at lowering barriers to SMEs obtaining public sector contracts, the UK government will introduce the Procurement Act (the Act) from 24th February 2025. Rob Rees, Divisional Director of Markel Direct, the specialist insurer of small businesses, explains what the new…

The Black Farmer Ltd, the multi-award-winning food brand, has secured a £1 million funding line and specialist FX services from independent SME funder, Bibby Financial Services (BFS).   The additional capital supports the brand’s expansion into high street retail premises, and furthers the company’s overarching mission to offer premium quality, affordable British products. Founded by Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE, The Black Farmer Ltd is the result of a life-long love of British Farming and a personal dream to own a farm in Devon.  After becoming known to his neighbours as ‘The Black Farmer’, Emmanuel-Jones applied the sobriquet to his brand. He has…

Thinking Hat Media, in collaboration with A City Law Firm and Asiarath, has announced an exclusive three-day scale-up programme designed for ambitious founders eager to establish a presence in the UAE’s vibrant and dynamic business ecosystem. The programme, set to take place in Dubai from 19-21 February 2025, offers an unparalleled opportunity for entrepreneurs to fast-track their expansion into the MENA region. This immersive scale-up expedition is a gateway to the UAE’s thriving innovation hubs and entrepreneurial networks. Highlights of the programme include: Exclusive site visits to the Dubai Silicon Oasis and the DIFC Innovation Hub, providing insights into the region’s…

Jonathon Hand, founder of  The Lease Negotiator, shares essential advice for business owners navigating the complexities of commercial leases. From hidden costs and restrictive clauses to unclear repair obligations and tricky break conditions, Jonathon highlights the key red flags to watch for and offers practical tips to protect your business. Before signing on the dotted line, this guide is a must-read for ensuring your lease works for, not against, your success.  A commercial lease agreement is likely to be one of the most crucial documents you ever sign as a business owner, but rushing the process or signing on the…

Cuboid, a spin out of leading property giant FI Real Estate Management (FIREM), has announced the pilot launch of a new product, Business in a Box, offering startups and SMEs the opportunity to have their own self-contained business unit. The Business in a Box product is a 160 sq ft two-storey container, with an office space on top, fitted out with electricity, heating, power points, lighting, windows, flooring and insulation, ready for businesses to get up and running from the off. The product aims to offer companies a more cost-effective, flexible solution to standard office space. A recent study by Area found that after…

Over two third (69%) of UK decision-makers surveyed say sustainability is important for their business, while 61% consider the circular economy important. Nearly 9 in 10 (89%) consider waste management important in becoming a sustainable business. But, despite these good intentions, only 53% of UK businesses have their recycling collected. The main barrier to being more sustainable is ‘cost’ say over a third (36%) of SME business decision makers surveyed in recent research from sustainable waste management firm Biffa with a survey conducted by the YouGov analysis institute. At a time when SMEs and larger businesses may be looking to save money, improving recycling strategies amid other sustainable practices goes a long…

Rachel Woolford, the 2024 winner of the BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’, has revealed plans to launch her first joint initiative with Lord Sugar, in her home city of Leeds. The project will see Rachel expand her hugely successful fitness space, North Studio, to offer a dedicated Reformer Pilates studio – right next door. Lord Sugar has partnered with Rachel to purchase the commercial premises which will be part of an expansion of the existing Leeds studio and will further enhance North Studio’s Pilates offering with an extra 120 classes a month. Former economic and business management student turned fitness entrepreneur Rachel,…

With Dry January sparking conversations across workplaces, homes, and communities, the topic of alcohol use—and its challenges—feels particularly relevant. While many focus on taking a break from alcohol for health and well-being, it also opens the door to a much-needed discussion about problem drinking and its impact, especially in the workplace. In this insightful article, Professor Marcantonio Spada, Chief Clinical Officer at Onebright, provides practical steps employers can take to support their teams. Drawing on his extensive expertise in mental health, addictive behaviours, and workplace well-being, Professor Spada sheds light on an issue that affects millions across the UK. Although,…

 The Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ Awards are open for SMEs to enter until 9 March, with the addition of two new categories and an expanded prize package to honour exceptional accomplishments in global trading. The awards celebrate the international sales success of SMEs across the UK and provide a stepping stone for further growth and opportunity. This year, two new categories have been added: Digital & Technology and Export Services – the latter aiming to recognise the contribution of businesses that facilitate UK exports. The other categories cover Advanced Manufacturing…

Tariq Peters, Freelance PR Consultant & Personal Branding Coach, discusses why personal branding is an important asset for any entrepreneur and looks at how it has evolved into a vital component to achieve personal and professional success. Personal branding is the intentional process of defining and communicating your unique value to others. It encompasses your skills, experiences, and qualities, all of which help distinguish you in your industry or field. Whether you’re a startup founder, a small business owner, or a creative professional, investing in your personal brand can significantly impact your business growth and career trajectory. Here are five…

In a recent webinar, Jon Burt, Head of Enterprise Architecture at Manchester City Council, and Rick Goud, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Zivver, discussed what is meant by “right-sizing”, how it impacts the risks of data loss, and how to build a security-conscious culture across the entire organisation As any security leader will be all too aware, safeguarding data can be something of a tightrope walk. It isn’t necessarily about having the “best” or most robust cybersecurity strategy in place; it’s about striking a balance between data protection, cost-effectiveness, usability, and discovering an approach to cybersecurity that works for…

Laura Leslie, corporate partner at DSG Chartered Accountants in Liverpool, discusses how businesses can best prepare for the audit process and spot potential complications early. An audit is an independent examination of a company’s financial records by a qualified auditor. This examination assesses the accuracy and reliability of the company’s financial statements, ensuring it complies with accounting standards and provides a true and fair representation of the company’s financial position. Audits are crucial for small businesses as they enhance credibility and trust among stakeholders, including investors, lenders, and customers. An audit can also help to detect errors in financial reporting,…

Workers planning for their retirement across the UK could be at risk of significantly downplaying the possibility of needing later-in-life care, research from independent consultancy Barnett Waddingham finds. The findings, taken from Barnett Waddingham’s latest report “The At Retirement Reckoning”, reveal that more than a third (36%) of people expect their health and care costs to increase substantially well into their retirement. Despite this expectation, fewer than one in five (17%) have fully factored having to go into care into their retirement plan. The cost of care: expectations In the research, workers were asked to what extent they anticipated their…

Employees are calling for increased employer pension contributions this year, as new research from employee benefits technology provider, Zest, reveals the most sought-after benefits for 2025.   The most desired benefits are as follows:  Rank All employees 1. Increased pension contributions (30%) 2. Private medical insurance (29%) 3. Employer contribution to energy costs at home (23%) / discounts/vouchers for high street shops/brands (23%) 4. Wellbeing allowance to spend on spend on what you choose (19%) 5. Paid mental health leave (16%) / workplace savings scheme (16%) Three in ten (30%) employees want employers to contribute a greater amount to their pension pots over the…

As we move forward into 2025, many individuals may be looking to start a new venture in the form of a business. Whether you are a coveted business connoisseur or a fresh-faced entrepreneur, it is important to take several steps to ensure you hit the ground running. Helen Steel from Steamlion Consulting, a Berkshire-based firm specialising in SME funding and growth strategies, knows just how important it is to set your business up for success. Having helped over 700 business owners secure over £14 million for their start-up funding and growth plans, she has seen the strengths and weaknesses of…