Charlie O’Brien, Head of People at Breathe HR, brings over 15 years of HR expertise helping SMEs manage teams effectively. In this article, she explores the timing of staff holidays, why spreading leave across the year benefits both employees and businesses, and practical strategies for making time off a routine part of workplace wellbeing. We’re all familiar with the holiday squeeze: when colleagues are off, tasks can pile up and projects can stall. During popular holiday periods like Christmas and summer, the pressure put on teams by holiday absences intensifies. It can feel like we’re running an out-of-office relay, with…
Author: sme-admin
By Dr Chris Mann, Co-founder and CTO at Bennamann My journey to agricultural innovation began in polluted waters off the Welsh coast. As a surfer since the mid-1980s, I regularly braved the toxic brown waters of Porthcawl, near Port Talbot, where industrial waste and raw sewage created conditions so hazardous that ear and nose infections were routine consequences of pursuing my passion. The water there was genuinely toxic. Despite the obvious health risks, the draw of surfing proved irresistible, leading me to become an early member of Surfers Against Sewage, an organisation that successfully campaigns for cleaner coastal waters. As…
October marks ADHD Awareness Month, a crucial opportunity to raise awareness about the experiences of neurodiverse employees in the workplace. Across the UK, various reports highlight that between 15-20% of people are neurodivergent. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affects millions of adults, and its impact on work life can be profound if not properly recognised and supported. Instant Offices, understand that fostering inclusive workplaces goes beyond policy. It is about creating environments where employees with ADHD can thrive, contribute their creativity and energy, and avoid the risk of burnout. ADHD burnout, often characterised by extreme exhaustion, reduced productivity, and heightened anxiety, is a real concern.…
The Harrogate Group, one of the UK’s fastest-growing private real estate lenders, has announced the £10 million funding of Lombard House in Birmingham, marking the launch of its innovative new funding product, Lend to Share. Located on Great Charles Street, a key gateway that connects the city of Birmingham together, Lombard House is one of the area’s most recognisable commercial buildings. The property has permitted planning consent for residential development, paving the way for its transformation into much-needed homes for first-time buyers and city professionals. The development will help meet the growing demand for quality housing in central Birmingham, while also…
By Kerri Mee, Clinical Lead, Onebright Despite more conversations being held publicly about the impact of menopause and the requirements for support, many women still feel alone in their struggles, especially the physical and mental health effects on their work and career. It is encouraging to see steps being taken by the Government to address gender equality and improve women’s experiences through the introduction of menopause action plans, as part of the Employment Rights Bill, which will require businesses with more than 250 employees to have a menopause action plan in place by 2027. When putting action plans like this together,…
Drawing on decades of experience advising global enterprises, Tim Grieveson, Chief Information Security Officer at ThingsRecon, explores how the rapid digitisation of supply chains has reshaped security — and why Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are becoming central to safeguarding this new ecosystem. It may sound surprising, but no organisation truly owns its supply chain anymore. What was once a neat list of vendors now looks more like a tangled web of SaaS providers, cloud platforms, open-source dependencies, logistics partners, and fourth-party suppliers you’ve never even heard of. Each of those links is both an enabler of your business and a…
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), average electricity prices for UK non-domestic users were a huge 75 per cent higher at the end of 2024 compared to the start of 2021, while average gas prices had more than doubled. To help SMEs manage the challenging costs, connectivity expert Crystaline has launched a new service to find the best energy deals for businesses. Partnering with Fidelity Energy, Crystaline’s new service involves comparing rates from over 25 of the UK’s leading energy suppliers to find the most competitive deals for customers. Included in the offer is a report from Fidelity that outlines…
Working Families has announced its annual list of the top flexible and family-friendly employers in the UK. Organisations from across the finance, energy, education and public sector have earned their place on the charity’s list of Top Employers, demonstrating that sectors across the spectrum are seeing the value in putting people first. Now in its sixteenth year, many have fended off competition to stay in the top for a number of years, including Pinsent Masons, the Welsh Parliament and Independent Living Fund Scotland. Newcomer Unilever also joins the ranks of Top 30 for the first time. This year, organisations taking…
Richard Hanscott, CEO of Esendex takes a look at what WhatsApp’s decision to introduce ads means for brands as social media and messaging platforms continue to converge. As the line between personal messaging and public engagement starts to blur, what does this shift mean for brands looking to tap into this audience? A shift towards more authentic interactions While WhatsApp’s decision to allow advertisers into the private messaging space came as a surprise to some, the change has been on the way for a while. Historically, the divide between advertisements and user-generated content has been quite clear on social media. But,…
Elite Business Magazine has announced that nominations are now open for the Elite Business 100 (EB100) Top 100 Businesses 2026. This prestigious ceremony honours the most innovative and successful SMEs across the UK, celebrating their remarkable achievements and contributions to the business landscape. Recognising the driving force of the UK economy, the EB100 Awards, which is in its fourth year, offers an exceptional platform for businesses to gain nationwide recognition and raise their profile. The ranking will be unveiled in February 2026, with an annual digital guide showcasing the top 100 businesses to audiences across the UK. The celebration culminates…