More than 1 in every 5 UK business owners are unsure how to reduce energy bills. With this in mind, business energy experts, Utility Bidder, have shared 8 tips businesses can implement to help this year. Mark Gamble, Head of Supplier Relations at Utility Bidder comments: “The new year brings a new start for some businesses, while others will be optimising new money-saving strategies to be in place for the new financial year starting in April. Already in 2026, we’ve been treated to country-wide cold snaps and storms, and it is a vital time to be utilising energy and heating effectively, whilst also…
Author: sme-admin
Small businesses such as cafes, shops and hairdressers are facing three years of business rates misery with an average 52 per cent hike in bills being piled on in three instalments, new analysis from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has revealed. The controversial slashing of relief for 230,000 small firms across the retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) sectors in England, combined with other business rates changes being introduced by the Government from this April, leaves many having to pay thousands of pounds extra. In a letter to the Government, FSB has urged ministers to deploy the full relief available to them for small…
2026 will bring the biggest employment law changes in a generation. With the 2016 “golden era” trending on social media right now, the leading HR and employment law experts at Peninsula are participating in the #throwback, taking stock of just how much has changed in the HR landscape over the past decade. Alan Price, Peninsula Group Global Chief Operations Officer, who has worked at Peninsula since 2003, says: “2016 was a challenging year for UK employers with the main headline being the Brexit referendum. Although the changes weren’t formalised for some time after, many of our clients told us that…
By Emily Coltman FCA, Chief Accountant at FreeAgent Starting from April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax will begin to replace Self Assessment for most self-employed individuals and unincorporated landlords in stages. Instead of filing a tax return on paper or online once a year, affected taxpayers will need to keep digital records and send updates to HMRC every quarter, as well as complete an annual final declaration. While it may seem daunting at first, understanding what’s required and preparing early will help make the transition as smooth as possible. What’s changing from 2026? If you’re a sole trader or landlord with…
Washroom technician John ‘Badger’ Heritage from Carlisle Support Services has been recognised on the national stage after winning Individual Technician of the Year at the 2025 Loo of the Year Awards. John collected the trophy at the annual awards ceremony, held at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull. John cleans and maintains public toilets in the City of Westminster in London. His bosses nominated him saying: “John’s work ethic is exceptional. He consistently delivers immaculate, safe, and welcoming washroom environments, demonstrating meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment. In the fast-paced and high-demand setting of Westminster, his reliability and consistency…
Marcin Pichur, Regional Vice President, Sales of Docuware comments on the critical role of invoice reconciliation for SME finance teams here in the UK. UK SMEs are under more pressure than ever. Rising costs, tighter margins and increasing regulatory scrutiny mean finance teams are expected not only to keep the business running, but to provide clarity, control and strategic insight. Yet one of the most important levers for achieving that, invoice reconciliation, is still treated by many organisations as a routine administrative task. It’s time to rethink that. Reconciliation shouldn’t just be seen as an end‑of‑month tick‑box exercise, but as…
Trent Scanlen, CEO and co-founder of KURK, on why backing homegrown entrepreneurs matters more than ever KURK is one of the UK’s fastest growing UK pharma-wellness ventures, on a mission to redefine conventional approaches to pain management, inflammation and recovery. Founded in Twickenham in 2022 by Trent Scanlen and Dr Harrison “Harry” Weisinger – two long-time friends and cancer survivors – KURK has since grown well beyond its London beginnings. For co-founder Trent, KURK’s success story is proof of a how growing interest in plant-based wellness and preventative health is fuelling demand, and why supporting UK startups is crucial for…
The latest annual State of Prospecting Report has just been released, revealing a host of must-know insights and trends that will define the B2B sales and marketing landscape this year. The report, created by the lead generation and sales engagement experts at Sopro – a global multi-channel prospecting service for B2B businesses – dives into the developments and challenges shaping industry strategies. The fifth annual report features insights from more than 400 senior B2B decision-makers, analysis of 126 million emails, and more than 25 million multi-channel touchpoints and intent signals, paired with strategies from today’s leading outreach experts. You can view the full State of…
The Level Up Leadership podcast has been awarded Gold in the Leadership Coaching category at the 2026 AVA Digital Awards. This international competition recognises excellence in digital communication, highlighting the most effective and creative work in the industry. Level Up Leadership was established to provide grounded, practical advice for managers and executives navigating organisational change. Since its launch, the program has focused on human-centred tools rather than abstract theory, addressing topics such as team resilience and leading through disruption. ‘Winning this award is a significant milestone for the show,’ says Lee Whitmore. ‘The podcast began as a space for honest…
Recent changes to Capital Gains Tax on Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) sales have prompted concern among business owners. However, the reality is proving far less disruptive than first feared, according to expert Chris Maslin, founder of Go EO. When the November 2025 Budget confirmed the capital gains tax exemption on qualifying EOT sales would be reduced, some questioned whether this would undermine employee ownership as a viable exit route. Several months on, experience suggests otherwise, with EOTs continuing to attract founders who value long-term stewardship and the future of their business and staff once they have left ‘the room’. “In…