As the EU prepares to introduce regulation which will require products exported into the EU to have a Digital Product Passport, GS1 UK warns that many UK businesses are not prepared, which could cost them an average of £1.5 million per year in revenue from lost trade with the EU, which remains the UK’s biggest bilateral trading bloc even after Brexit.1 The Digital Product Passport, or DPP, which is set to be first introduced in 2027, is a new regulation from the EU which will require brands and retailers to provide detailed information on products entering the EU, in an…
Author: Greg Robinson
As Operations Director, Sally will oversee all internal operations, processes, systems, and delivery — with a clear focus on scalability, professionalism to deliver exceptional client experiences. Sally brings over 15 years of business finance experience with businesses such as Metro Bank Asset Finance, InterBay Asset Finance and Shawbrook Bank. Her most recent role was Sales and Operations Director at Love Finance Limited, where she was responsible for 80 sales and admin staff, plus compliance. Sally Chesterton, Operations Director of Millbrook Business Finance said: “I am delighted to join the Millbrook team, and I’m eager to contribute to their continued success…
The UK’s small and medium-sized enterprises are the engine room of the economy, accounting for 99.8% of the business population according to government statistics and generating over £2 trillion in turnover. But that engine is under strain. The recent spike in consumer-price inflation to 3.5% has piled fresh pressure on operating costs, reinforcing the longer-term cost surges that began with Covid-19 and were compounded by geopolitical shocks, supply chain disruption and wage inflation. Now, with over a third of SME leaders citing rising costs and inflation as direct barriers to growth, businesses must rethink their approach to finance. It’s no longer sufficient to treat raising capital as an…
Ben Knight, former trader-turned Wealth Strategy Expert and founder of Hertfordshire-based The Trade Tribe, reveals the six biggest money mistakes he sees business owners most frequently make – and outlines his tips for avoiding them. Running a small business demands focus, resilience and careful financial management. But even the most capable owners can fall into common money traps when it comes to their personal finances. These mistakes don’t come from recklessness, but often from following outdated advice or feeling too overwhelmed to make strategic changes. Since founding The Trade Tribe, I’ve worked with hundreds of business owners across the UK.…
New research from Vistra, reveals that only 28% of UK directors are ready for the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) despite the risk of unlimited fines. The smallest firms are most exposed, with none stating they are ready to meet ECCTA deadlines. While larger firms show greater readiness, just 37% of the largest are very prepared. The ECCTA is the UK’s most significant Companies House reform since 1844. By autumn 2025, all directors, persons of significant control (PSCs), and company filers must verify their identity. Yet, only 250,000 of an estimated 7 million or under 4% have done so. Another…
Workers in the Gen Z age cohort (18-27) are making their mark in the workplace – with many already stepping into leadership roles. In the UK alone, data from last year found that nearly 250,000 company directors are now Gen Z[1], reflecting their growing influence. Earlier this year, American Express partnered with The Conduit members club to survey both Gen Z entrepreneurs and workers across the UK, to build understanding of the key motivations and unique strengths of Gen Z in the world of business. Lee Sullivan, Vice President, American Express provides highlights some of the key takeaways. Ambition at…
Feature writer Fiona Scott meets Emma Carter, a friend and a client in her PR business, who has recently taken on a new role of CEO of fast-growing managed IT provider WestSpring based in Bristol. I’ve known Emma Carter for around a decade and we have been both clients and friends over that time – friends all of the time and clients sometimes. I do find that people like Emma are far too rare in business – she’s a woman in a senior position in STEM. So why would I interview a friend and a client, surely that’s a biased…
Craig Rickman crunches some numbers and explores what it may take to amass a seven-figure, tax-efficient pot by the time you reach age 67. Many investors dream of the day that they log in to their online investment account and see a seven-digit sum. Not only is there the fulfilment that comes with having squirrelled away a million quid, but, unless your lifestyle is particularly lavish, it could be your ticket to financial freedom. Reaching this lofty milestone is unlikely to happen overnight – unless you receive a sizeable and unexpected windfall – but it’s certainly not out of reach.…
Across Africa, climate change is reshaping the agricultural landscape, leaving smallholder farmers increasingly vulnerable. These farmers often lack the financial resources needed to adapt, and traditional credit systems, designed and enjoyed by those with far better access, routinely fall short. As a result, vast financial gaps persist, leaving millions without support. According to the World Bank, Africa suffers from one of the world’s largest finance gaps, with some regions seeing shortfalls as high as 88%. The challenge is especially felt by smallholder farmers who are frequently excluded from formal credit systems due to a lack of collateral, limited financial records,…
Once seen as the preserve of multinational giants, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are now quietly—but decisively—transforming how small and mid-sized businesses operate. In an era defined by economic volatility, digital acceleration, and resource constraints, ERP software has become a necessity—not a luxury—for ambitious small firms. This article identifies three small businesses that are entering the new generation of ERP adopters: Penchard, Currencycloud, and Radius Aerospace. 1. Penchard: Manufacturers of handcrafted wooden & metal gates Before ERP Like many growing manufacturers, Penchard—a UK-based company specialising in handcrafted gates and access solutions—was juggling a patchwork of disconnected tools. Spreadsheets for quotes,…