An events business and a speakers’ platform have teamed up to bring added value to corporate events at venues across the UK. Glasgow-based Glasgow-based Eventsplus, which supports independent venues to promote and develop their corporate bookings, is collaborating with Scott Media Speakers, which supports independent venues to promote and develop their corporate bookings, is collaborating with Scott Media Speakers, part of the PR company Scott Media. Under the arrangement, Glasgow-based Eventsplus will promote the speakers alongside its portfolio of venues and clients allowing them to book high quality speakers for their own clients. “Eventsplus was founded to support independent venues…

96 per cent of leading UK retail executives expect another retail technology transformation by 2030 – with 43 per cent saying their industry is changing more rapidly today than they have ever witnessed in their careers.  A crisis of consumer trust in brands is a major catalyst according to consumer expert and retail strategist Kate Hardcastle MBE. It comes as 89 per cent of retail executives agree consumers are less loyal to brands than they were 10 years ago. This is reinforced by the fact that under half (48 per cent) of the UK population express some level of trust…

The grant landscape has come on leaps and bounds in the last decade. Not only has the UK broadened its horizon to include societal innovation, but it has strengthened its regional focus to help communities and industries across the country. While it is no secret that grants are hard to come by, a recent transition to a digital grant management system is just one of the ways the process has been streamlined, with detailed requirements and guidance for applicants. Helen Steel from Steamlion Consulting, a Berkshire-based firm specialising in SME funding and growth strategies, has watched the grant space change…

Well known Wiltshire entrepreneur James Phipps has joined South West-based managed service provider WestSpring IT as their Executive Chairman. James was previously Executive Chairman of Excalibur Communications, leaving the board of the company in 2020 after completing a management buy-out. He has since focused his time on sitting on numerous charitable boards and investing in multiple businesses. Now he is stepping in to help run this high growth business and is also making a significant personal investment as there are plans for rapid recruitment and additional office openings. James said: “When I came out of this sector many years ago…

As we approach the end of 2024, charities across Great Britain have received a total of £53,500 in donations from Great British Expos. These contributions will help fund end-of-life hospice care, first response services, youth programs, and create pathways to meaningful employment for individuals living with disabilities. Great British Expos are not just commercial events; they also provide opportunities to give back to the community. Through their regional events, they make substantial economic contributions to both businesses and charitable organizations. Their commitment is reflected in active investment in communities and a charitable giving program that supports numerous local charities across…

Christmas markets are an amazing resource for small businesses to increase exposure and sales, the festive period is a great way to further grow your business, whatever its size! However, if your business isn’t insured, festive mishaps at markets could lead to costly consequences, potentially leaving you out of pocket. Business Comparison Expert, Les Roberts at Bionic, has offered his top tips to ensure that your business remains merry throughout the Christmas season. “Over the festive seasons, thousands of Brits visit festive fates or Christmas markets, whether they’re picking up a bespoke ornament, shopping independently for last-minute gifts, or simply wanting…

James Hilton, founder of Jim’s Gym and a specialist in biomechanics and injury recovery, recently met Gareth Thomas MP, the Minister for Services, Small Business & Exports, at the House of Lords in the run-up to Small Business Saturday. (Dec 7) Small Business Saturday is a UK wide campaign to encourage people to buy from local small and independent businesses and suppliers especially at Christmas. James was one of 100 small business owners who were selected as one of the 2024 SmallBiz100 which showcases the diversity and power of the small business sector as part of the annual campaign which…

Dane Whitehurst is the creative director of packaging design company Burgopak where he’s been working in packaging for the last 17 years. Burgopak is a small business with a staff of 25 based in London. HOW DID YOU GET INTO PACKAGING? I’d done a degree in product design and followed that with a master’s degree in industrial design and I was very interested in designing furniture and lighting. I briefly went into teaching but was quite keen to get back into design. I went to visit a friend who is also in design and his housemate had just got a…

Berkshire-based document management specialist Filestream is celebrating a win at this year’s Document Management Awards, taking home the trophy for the best Low Code/No Code project. The award recognises Filestream’s innovative, user-friendly approach to managing documents, making it simpler and more efficient for businesses of all sizes. The 2024 DM Awards, now in their 19th year, shine a spotlight on the top products, services, and companies in the UK’s document and content management industry. With technology playing an ever-increasing role in how businesses operate, Filestream’s achievement highlights their commitment to providing straightforward and secure solutions for managing documents in an…

Free-from food company Creative Nature has seen its Magibles Christmas Cracker win gold in the Stocking Filler category at the Free From Christmas Awards 2024.  Founded in 2012 by Julianne Ponan MBE, Creative Nature emerged from Julianne’s personal journey with multiple food allergies and anaphylaxis. The company’s dedication to creating delicious, safe, and inclusive food options has propelled it to the forefront of the industry. The Free From Food Awards, established in 2008, are the UK’s premier awards recognising excellence in the free-from food and drink industry. This year, Creative Nature’s Magibles Christmas Cracker was a gold winner in its…

A pioneering ‘surplus with purpose’ café, Charlie’s Angels Kitchen, has been awarded the prestigious Community Contribution Award at the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society Annual Awards 2024. The award recognises the café’s significant impact on the local community by tackling food waste and addressing food insecurity. Charlie’s Angels Kitchen is Royal Tunbridge Wells’ first ‘pay-as-you-feel’ ethical eatery. The café is transforming surplus food destined for landfill into delicious meals, offering a diverse menu inspired by what is available, including vegetarian and vegan stews, casseroles, curries, and freshly baked goods. The visionary behind the café, Charlie Moore, expressed her excitement about…

When managers feel overwhelmed and stressed, their response is often to become the ‘banshee boss’ – shouting at and commanding their teams and in turn creating a fearful culture. With 41% of managers experiencing daily stress, it’s no wonder 36% of leaders unconsciously lead through fear. Fear-based leadership has disastrous effects on organisations. Of those leaders who have a fear-based approach, 90% noticed a decline in employee productivity and 60% acknowledged their staff were unhappy at work. That’s because employees feel afraid to speak up and offer their ideas – the manager is directing and they’re simply carrying out orders.…

Ducking out of your work Christmas party this year? You’re not alone, as new research reveals that almost a quarter (23%) of UK office workers are planning on doing the same. The research suggests that workplace relationships in 2024 leave much to be desired, with top reasons for non-attendance at office Christmas parties including not enjoying them (31%), not wanting to spend any more time with colleagues (24%), and avoiding drunk colleagues (19%). The survey of over 1,000 UK office workers commissioned by team building and corporate events company, Team Tactics, also identified divided camps on the issue of alcohol at work Christmas…

The new Employment Rights Bill is the biggest update to workers’ rights in generations. It will introduce day-one rights to paternity leave, strengthen the day-one right to flexible working; ban exploitative zero-hour contracts and fire and rehire practices, and more.Gareth Burrows, founder of Breathe HR, provides for advice from for SMEToday’s readers on  how time-poor SME HR teams can prepare for them? According to our research at Breathe HR, most SME bosses believe it will be a positive step forward for staff, and boost productivity and retention. However, this doesn’t mean that already stretched SMEs aren’t daunted by the prospect of seeing through all…

As a long-standing vet and accomplished canine nutritionist who advises countless pet producers about the nutritional make-up of their mass-market dog foods, Dr Veneta is only too aware how the festive season can unintentionally wreak havoc on a dog’s delicate stomach on account of unwise titbits, excessive under the table gifting and shameless carpet hoovering.  Over the years Veneta’s award-winning Kent practice has been littered with tales of overweight dogs in dangerously poor health on account of poor diet choices, excessive treat provision OR a worrying lack of awareness amongst uneducated dog owners with regards what their pet’s ideal weight…

The Prime Minister will use his trip to the G20 in Brazil this week to strengthen ties with the world’s leading economic powers to drive growth and deliver for the British people at home. He will say that building pragmatic partnerships with other countries, even where our values differ, is crucial in order to advance the UK’s national interests and galvanise proper progress on the global challenges we face. This year’s G20 summit takes place in an increasingly volatile context, with Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine entering its 1,000th day this week, and ongoing conflict in the Middle East and beyond.…