UK specialist rail depot maintenance firm MTMS has been recognised for going beyond the call of duty to support the country’s armed forces by being awarded the highest accolade in a national employers’ scheme. The company, based in Moira, Leicestershire, is one of nearly 200 companies have been given the gold award in the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme this year. The announcement, made yesterday, is the culmination of a years-long initiative at MTMS to support former and serving personnel, as well as supporting local army, sea and air cadets. It specifically targets former service personnel when recruiting and…
Author: Greg Robinson
SMEToday’s features editor Fiona Scott recently had the opportunity to interview former Bath and England Rugby Union player, Dave Attwood. What Value Can The Sport Of Rugby Really Bring To The World Of Business? This was just one of the questions I asked former rugby union player Dave Attwood. I recently met the 37-year-old for the first time and, as I’m not a rugby fan, I had no real clue who he was or what he’d achieved to date in his career. I’m no longer ignorant. Dave is a committed father, partner, sports fan and now businessman and is about…
As we enter a new political chapter for the UK, Clive Hudson, CEO of Programify, stands at the forefront of software development, innovation, and design and is advocating for robust governmental support for innovators and entrepreneurs. The process of innovation is frequently misunderstood and certainly under-supported when it comes to Government backing and financial subsidies. Innovation is rarely linear, measurable or something that can be planned. In fact, it is usually quite the opposite. The route to and process of innovation relies on flexibility, trial and error, and prototyping; an ongoing cyclical pattern until a product or solution is born.…
As a seasoned UK lawyer, I can assure you there are certain legal tasks that SMEs should handle themselves rather than delegating to their external legal advisers. This will not only save you money but also spare your lawyer from rolling their eyes (again). Here Ross Meadows, Partner at Oury Clark highlights nine legal matters you should tackle on your own: Company Name and Trademark Searches Before you dive into registering a company or trademark, you can conduct preliminary searches using online databases to ensure your company and brand name isn’t already in use. This helps you narrow down options and…
In today’s digital landscape, engaging with your audience is more challenging than ever. While podcasting has emerged as a powerful medium, launching a full-scale podcast can be daunting for many UK SMEs. Fortunately, there’s a simpler way to start incorporating audio into your marketing strategy without diving headfirst into podcasting. In this blog, Kath Lord-Green, aka Your Fairy Podmother® of Voice It Podcast Agency, discusses how adding audio to your existing communications—such as newsletters and reports—can introduce your audience to the benefits of audio content and boost engagement. This approach allows you to tentatively try podcasting without the need to…
The President and CEO of Elsewedy Electric, a global provider of integrated energy solutions headquartered in Egypt, and professional engineer will take up the ceremonial role in September. The incoming Chancellor’s passion for education has led to the creation of Elsewedy Technical Academy offering technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and the Elsewedy University of Technology. Eng El Sewedy was also instrumental in the development of Coventry University’s branch campus in Cairo, known as The Knowledge Hub (TKH). He replaces Dr Margaret Casely-Hayford CBE who has stepped down from the role after seven years. El Sewedy said: “I am deeply…
The UK is facing a significant problem of nearly 9 million people (age 16-64) who are ‘economically inactive’ meaning that they do not currently have a job and are not looking for work. Those who are employed are taking more sick days in the last decade than ever before. The CIPD revealed that staff are taking on average 7.8 sick days in the past year compared to 5.8 before the pandemic. This is an urgent problem that the government, education, and businesses need to address by devising and reforming strategies and policies to tackle it head on not just for the…
Greentech Festival’s GTF Connect Returns To London This September. The event will be held at the city’s legendary venue, Ministry of Sound, on September 4th and 5th, with a theme of ‘Turning crisis into opportunity’; setting the stage for change makers, business leaders and innovators to connect and learn about greener technologies, approaches and solutions. GTF Connect will welcome around 600 visitors over the two days with a diverse agenda which focuses on shaping a greener future. Attendees will have the opportunity to listen to an inspiring programme of keynotes and panel discussions as well as green start-up pitch sessions.…
Endurance Vehicle Solutions, a leading provider in specialist vehicle hire and fleet management, is set to significantly expand its operations with a new £5 million asset finance credit line. This funding, secured through a continued partnership with Shawbrook, marks a major milestone in Endurance’s growth journey. Since its inception in 2019, Endurance Vehicle Solutions has experienced substantial growth. Starting with a small team of just five employees, the company has evolved into a robust operation with over 50 staff members and a fleet exceeding 550 specialist waste, recycling, and drainage vehicles. This latest financial boost from Shawbrook will further fuel…
I met Sara Daw in an office building less than a mile from my home in Wiltshire. I really couldn’t believe there was someone so successful in business and I’d not heard of them – yet they were literally in my own backyard! It’s one thing which I love about the business sector, it’s full of surprises, energy, talent and stories which often just pop up and you don’t have to go far to find those stories. Sara is the Group CEO of the CFO Centre group, based in my home town of Swindon. What is the CFO Centre? It’s…