Leading national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has described the legal dispute between Jo Malone and Estée Lauder as ‘a cautionary tale’, warning that selling the rights to a founder’s name can carry decades-long consequences. Commercial contracts solicitor, Millie Bradshaw, says the case, brought by Estée Lauder over Malone’s use of her name on a Zara fragrance, highlights the tension between brand rights and personal identity long after a sale. “Founders may underestimate the irreversibility of selling their name,” said Millie. ‘’Once assigned, a personal name can be controlled commercially for decades. In Jo Malone’s case, Estée Lauder has owned and…
Author: sme-admin
SMEs could be wasting thousands each year on unnecessary SaaS tools, as bloated software stacks and rising subscription costs continue to spiral Software-as-a-Service, commonly known as SaaS, has become the backbone of modern business operations. But for many, growing teams and rising subscription costs are quickly draining internal IT budgets. But with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and consequently, AI agents, we are seeing the reliance on software being flipped on its head. AI agents are autonomous or semi-autonomous systems capable of acting on their own accord, working across platforms and automating workflows. When deployed strategically, AI agents can significantly…
IP disputes are on the rise, with a whopping 446 new cases recorded in 2025 by the Business and Property Courts of England and Wales – a 14.9% increase from 388 cases in 2024. In the age of AI and intensifying competition between businesses, protecting your business ideas has never been more crucial. A good idea is the lifeblood of any successful business – so what happens if you suspect that another person or company has copied your concept? Having your intellectual property misappropriated can be both frustrating and damaging, but taking the right steps quickly can help you protect your rights and come out on top. In…
In this interview with SME Today magazine, Jack Mellor, the CEO of Personnel Checks, shares insight into his journey as a second-generation entrepreneur and the path that led him to take the helm of the UK’s top-rated DBS check provider. Can you walk us through your journey into the business and how you came to lead Personnel Checks? I’m a second-generation family business owner. My parents built and sold several businesses over the years, so I grew up in and around entrepreneurship. I spent the summer holidays stuffing sales packs in envelopes. Business was a topic for discussion over family…
By Thom Groot, CEO, The Electric Car Scheme A recent Scottish Widows survey found that 22% of British employees had never heard of salary sacrifice. That is a striking finding for a mechanism that has been part of the UK’s tax and employment framework for decades, and it points to a big problem. The good news is that most of the barriers cited in the survey are more perception than reality. Understanding where these myths come from makes them considerably easier to address. Myth one: Salary sacrifice costs the employer money The most common objection to implementing salary sacrifice in the…
Workplace bullying is a real concern, with the CIPD reporting that 25% of employees experienced conflict or abuse in 2024. Bullying can take many forms ranging from insidious harmful comments that are hard to call out to more overt instances of physical or verbal abuse. Irrespective of the form that it takes, proactive steps should be taken to ensure that workplace bullying is not allowed to thrive in your environment. Here, the experts at leading workplace safety training providers High Speed Training share what constitutes workplace bullying, and tips on how to best handle any incidents. What is Workplace Bullying? Dr Richard…
Author: Sam Lew, Director, Debt Advisory, Heligan Group Do you ever pause to consider how much value is tied up in your business? And, just as importantly, whether you really want to wait until a full sale many years from now to enjoy the rewards of everything you’ve built? For many business owners, there are personal goals that don’t need to wait for an eventual exit, whether that’s travelling more, investing in property, improving quality of life, or simply gaining greater financial security. The question is whether some of the value in the business can be released today, without undermining…
New research has revealed the best countries for British business owners to expand to as the Government plans to make it easier for foreign firms to move to the UK. This recent announcement comes at a time when the UK hopes to build closer ties with the European Union to cut the cost of doing business and reduce border friction, potentially making a better understanding of cultural differences more essential. For organisations aiming to scale internationally, experts at the cultural intelligence platform Country Navigator have analysed factors such as cultural similarities to the UK, corporate tax rates, GDP growth and more, to reveal…
How did you start your business? The truth is, it actually started as a side hustle. I initially had a business partner, I knew I wanted to do this full time, but he wasn’t as enthusiastic so I took it from there. We’re now entering our 10th year, which is cool. How do you evaluate the past ups and downs of your business? It’s definitely a roller coaster. If you think it’s going to be plain sailing, that’s not the case. But when you’ve got a long-term vision and a long-term goal, you know it’s a journey. Some people see…
Expert Market’s latest survey data reveals that 80% of U.S. small and medium-sized businesses say software and technology costs have had a negative impact on profitability in the past month. SMB leaders are re-evaluating tech spend As businesses look to reduce costs and improve efficiency, 73% are reevaluating their technology investments. According to the data, of the 56% of SMBs who switched to a core platform in the past 12 months,13% report ‘significant’ regret. Choosing the right enterprise software is a strategic decision and not always as straightforward as it may seem. 6 tips to avoid tech switch regret: To help businesses make more confident choices, Expert Market has…