For the UK to become net zero by 2050, every business and organisation must play its part. However, a combination of regulations and having the resources available mean large enterprises have taken the lead in transitioning to net zero. This may have helped enable the UK to improve its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), but it has also led to downstream consequences for UK SMEs. Already, SMEs are feeling the effect of the switch to net zero, despite not having clear regulations in place. According to the 2024 UK Net Zero Business Census, around 37% of SMEs have been asked to…
Author: sme-admin
Matt Bailey, workplace analytics specialist at Matrix Booking explores how data-driven insights can help organisations balance occupancy levels and adapt to changing work patterns. Facilities and workplace managers have been at the forefront of addressing and navigating evolving challenges, from sustainability demands to the rapid adoption of hybrid work. It’s a role that requires agile and adaptable workspace strategies – something that only continues to gain momentum. In fact, the push for flexible work arrangements presents both opportunities and challenges for facilities and workplace managers. Initiatives like the four-day workweek, backed by Labour’s push to grant full-time workers the right…
Grant funding is one of the most powerful, yet underutilised, tools for business growth. It provides non-dilutive capital – allowing businesses to innovate, scale, and drive economic impact. However, the competition can be fierce, and success depends on far more than just meeting the eligibility criteria. The most successful applications look at a grant as an investment – funders want to see a return, whether in innovation, job creation, or industry advancement. Streamlion Consulting have supported over 775 businesses with expert guidance on funding, growth strategies, and business development—helping them secure more than £14.5 million in direct funding and driving over…
Leading UK technology consultancy expert highlights the necessity for a constantly evolving target operating model (TOM) curated to specific organisational needs. Across all industries, IT leaders are ramping up AI adoption plans in the year ahead alongside cybersecurity, cloud and privacy needs. According to ITPro’s 2025 Future Focus report, over three-quarters (78%) of surveyed IT leaders state that AI will be one of their top three focuses in 2025. Additionally, nearly a quarter (24%) intend to spend between 21% and 31% of their IT budget on AI alone this year. Notably, however, this report highlighted that IT leaders currently have difficulties with AI adoption and deployment,…
93% of finance decision makers in the UK believe that their company’s pension scheme is posing a risk to their business’ balance sheet, according to new research from LawDeb. This comes despite the fact that 86% of DB schemes currently have a surplus. The findings reveal that 7% of respondents believe their pension scheme presents a significant risk, while 57% categorise it as a moderate risk. A further 29% agree that their scheme brings limited risk, leaving only 6% of decision-makers who see no risk at all from their pension scheme. Among the top drivers of risk, cyber threats -…
Leading business transformation consultancy, Explic8, has announced the launch of its innovative ‘Customer eXperience Maturity Test’, designed to help organisations assess and enhance their CX strategies. The test provides a detailed analysis of businesses’ current CX models and evaluates their approach under the three dimensions of customer service: Ease, Effectiveness and Emotion. By undergoing the assessment, businesses can identify their current position within the CX maturity continuum and uncover gaps and opportunities in their CX strategies. They can then leverage these insights to develop tailored action plans to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction. Ian Nicholls, founder of Explic8, said: “For businesses…
Pistachio Design, a leading creative agency known for its bold, innovative design solutions, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025. Founded by two creative leaders in 2005, Pistachio started as a small, ambitious creative agency with big dreams. Fast forward to today, and you’re looking at an established, forward-thinking agency that’s made its mark across branding, design, animation and digital communications. A journey of ingenuity and collaboration Pistachio was created to fill a gap in the market for brands wanting agile, creative support. From the very start, the agency focused on delivering more than just great creative — it sought…
Creative Nature, a leading top 14 allergen-free food brand, has expanded into SuperValu in Ireland. Founded in 2012, Creative Nature has gone from strength to strength with their top 14-allergen free challenger brand founded by Julianne Ponan MBE who is also well known as an advocate for those living with allergies or food intolerance. Julianne has severe allergies herself and is at constant risk of anaphylaxis. Recently the team collaborated with SuperValu in Ireland, where their range of baking mixes are now available across the country. Julianne said: “When we got this confirmed I had to pinch myself – our…
By Professor Marcantonio Spada, Chief Clinical Officer, Onebright Technology is a great enabler in the workplace, but it can also become a significant burden if its use becomes problematic. Problematic technology use, sometimes termed ‘technology addiction’, refers to excessive and compulsive engagement with technology which is associated with negative consequences in various aspects of an individual’s life, including social, academic and work performance. It also impacts cognitive function and mood. Examples of problematic technology use include excessive social media use, repetitive and frequent engagement in gaming, compulsive online shopping, pervasive online pornography viewing, ‘doom scrolling’, and keeping poor boundaries relating to…
A significant number of property developers surveyed within the UK are confident that the UK can meet the housebuilding targets set by the Government, finds new research from Shawbrook. In the last year the Government has introduced several measures to accelerate housebuilding. These include planning reforms such as mandatory housebuilding targets for councils, grey belt policies, the recruitment of 300 new planning officers, and golden rules for development. According to Shawbrook’s findings, these initiatives are boosting confidence among property developers. Analysis of the data reveals that two-thirds (64%) of developers expect housebuilding to increase in the short term (within 12…