Insurance renewal season is fast approaching and for many property owners, this means one crucial question: does your current sum insured still reflect today’s rebuild cost? According to research by RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com, the short answer in 2026, is NO. With rebuild costs still rising and insurers tightening their focus on valuation accuracy, renewal reviews are now essential for avoiding both underinsurance and unnecessary premium spending. Research by the company demonstrates the extent of the problem, with a staggering 93% of UK properties being insured for the wrong amount.* “Renewals shouldn’t be a box-ticking exercise,” says Sharon Masters AIIRSM MARLA, Technical Lead…
Author: sme-admin
Public-sector organisations risk contract delays and compliance failures as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across their supply chains remain unprepared for the government’s impending Employment Rights Act, new findings from Commercial Services Group suggest. The Group’s research reveals fewer than two-thirds (64%) of employees in small and medium-sized businesses say they are aware of the Act. However, one in three (36%) report experience of zero-hours contracts, highlighting the scale of change many smaller employers will need to undertake to meet the new requirements. The findings come as contracting authorities are under clear instruction through the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS)…
1N is a pioneering nicotine brand, launching in the UK in 2026, with its first products (soft and hard lozenges), designed to bring greater clarity and integrity to the category long shaped by its association with smoking. By focusing on transparent ingredients, intentional formulation, and non-combustible delivery, the brand aims to offer consumers a more considered alternative. 1N was founded in Berlin by Terry Seal, a biohacker herself, whose journey was driven by personal health challenges and frustration with existing options available on the market. “Living with conditions like perimenopause and endometriosis pushed me to look beyond conventional approaches…
Gen Z and Alpha will make up almost half (49%) of the global workforce by 2034 – a significant demographic shift that will redefine the business landscape. A new Booking.com for Business report has revealed what this shift will mean for businesses and their travel policies, with statistics showing that younger generations are key drivers of corporate travel. You can view the full report here. Gen Z leads the way With Gen Z set to make up 34% of the global workforce by 2034 – the dominant portion – this group is having an impact on the workplace that can’t…
The South West Business & Community Awards 2026 have announced their shortlisted nominees after a record-breaking year, having received over 1,578 nominations from across the region. The awards celebrate outstanding achievement, leadership, innovation and community impact across businesses, charities and individuals operating throughout the South West. This year’s nominations reflected the strength, diversity and resilience of the regional economy, with entries spanning sectors including professional services, construction, security, technology, healthcare, hospitality and social enterprise. Judges commented on the exceptional quality of submissions, noting that the volume and standard of nominations made the shortlisting process highly competitive across all categories. Alec…
As the deadline for the tax year approaches (5th April), ISA users looking to max out their allowance should make preparations as soon as possible. In this article, Rob Morgan, Chief Investment Analyst at Charles Stanley—part of Raymond James Wealth Management—offers guidance on using your ISA allowance. ISAs are one of the simplest ways to invest and save tax. The current tax year ends on 5th April 2026 so anyone considering using this year’s ISA allowance should not delay. 1. Leave your ISA in cash for now if you can’t decide This tax year (2025/26), you can add up to…
In 2026, skills are at the top of everyone’s agenda. The way we work and the skills we need to stay ahead are changing faster than most organisations can train for. Remote and hybrid working, developments in AI and changing business needs mean that six in ten workers will need upskilling or reskilling by 2027 (World Economic Forum). However, many businesses are still struggling to reach all these employees effectively. So, what are forward-thinking SMEs doing differently to overcome this challenge? The skills gap is affecting all sectors While upskilling has always been a key part of driving performance, the…
Michelle Reece, Director at ABS Limited, shares her insights about why many B2B companies are sitting on a goldmine they don’t even realise. While they struggle with duplicate data entry, inventory chaos and orders falling through the cracks, their ERP system already contains everything needed for seamless online commerce. Yet, this disconnect between websites and back-office systems is avoidable. The conversation always starts the same way. Business owners want to sell online, but they’re concerned about it creating chaos in their back office. Working with companies like drinks wholesaler AFT Drinks and others, we’ve seen how ERP and business-to-business (B2B)…
When setting out the UK government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan last summer, Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State for Industry, stated ambitions for the UK to be recognised as the best place to start, grow and invest in advanced manufacturing anywhere across the globe by 2035. There are plenty of steps being put in place which should help to make this vision a reality, with Portakabin, the UK’s leading modular building provider, on hand to explain how modular buildings can also help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt advanced manufacturing practices quickly. A recap of the UK’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan Published last…
Emsco Partners announces the launch of its fund to address the UK’s growing SME succession gap. Tens of thousands of profitable small and medium-sized businesses are owned by ageing founders, many without clear succession plans. Research indicates that around 41% of UK business owners plan to step away from their companies within the next ten years*. Emsco Partners is a long-term investment firm that seeks to acquire and actively manage high-quality UK businesses, providing thoughtful ownership transitions for retiring owners. Founded by tech entrepreneurs Emma Margetts and Scott Winship, Emsco Partners provides sellers with an alternative to private equity and trade buyers through long term, operator-led ownership in the UK’s lower mid-market. The fund attracted strong investor interest and reached almost three times oversubscribed within three weeks. The…