Joel Stone, founder of marketing agency Codebreak and SME AI and automation consultancy, That AI Guy, dives into the world of generative AI to explore how small business owners can use it to supercharge their products and services. Every man and his dog seems to be generating images with AI these days. You’ve probably seen the action figure trend, with big brands like Aldi and Holland & Barrett jumping on the bandwagon. Tools like Canva, Runway, Chat GPT and Sora are making it easier than ever. But the question is: could generative AI revolutionise marketing and give small businesses a…
Author: sme-admin
Tide, the leading business financial platform in the UK, has been announced as the headline sponsor for 2025’s prestigious everywoman Entrepreneur Awards. The partnership will support female business owners through a year-long high-impact programme aimed at unlocking new opportunities for female founders ready to take their businesses to the next level. The everywoman awards have become a springboard for countless female entrepreneurs since their inception in 2003, providing a gateway to game-changing partnerships, commercial deals and investment opportunities that can dramatically accelerate business growth. The awards shine a spotlight on the UK’s most inspiring female entrepreneurs, from early-stage start-ups to…
In this compelling interview, we hear from Alexandra Palt, one of the foremost voices in sustainability today and widely recognised as the top keynote speaker on sustainable supply chains and the future of ethical supply chains. As the Executive Vice President of the L’Oréal Foundation and Chief Sustainability Officer at L’Oréal, Alexandra has been instrumental in leading the company’s ambitious transformation – redefining what corporate responsibility looks like in the 21st century. Her deep expertise, spanning sustainability leadership, gender equality, and inclusive innovation, places her at the heart of some of the most important conversations shaping global business today. In…
After a powerful appearance on the BBC Panorama documentary, motivational speaker and entrepreneur Brad Burton will headline The South West Expo on Thursday, 10th July 2025 at The Steam Museum, Swindon. Brad’s recent Panorama feature shed light on his harrowing experience as a victim of online stalking, a battle he has faced for the past four years. Despite the trauma, Brad has emerged stronger and more determined than ever—turning adversity into strength and using his voice to inspire others. Having worked with and inspired some of the world’s biggest brands, Brad will share his deeply personal and motivational story during…
The UK’s new Industrial Strategy, launched in June 2025, is a 10-year plan to boost business investment and drive growth in key sectors. It focuses on making it easier and quicker for businesses to invest, providing stability for long-term decisions, and creating 1.1 million new jobs. The strategy identifies eight high-growth sectors and includes tailored plans for each. Responding to the publication of the new Industrial Strategy, Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “Through opening up procurement, helping to tackle late payments, and supporting new sectors adopt new technologies, this document outlines ways to help the UK’s 5.5…
Simon Heath is a Partner of Heligan Group with 20 years of mid-market M&A advisory experience, having previously been a Director at KPMG Corporate Finance. In this article he explains how to sell a business in plain terms, breaking down the process into six key steps: There comes a moment, after years of building something from scratch, when a business owner looks up and wonders: “Is it time to move on?” It’s rarely just about the money. More often, it’s about timing, identity, and legacy. Selling a business isn’t just a transaction. It’s a turning point. For many, it’s the…
Swindon-based health and safety business, Secure Safety Solutions, is issuing a warning for business owners to protect staff as UK temperatures rise. Secure Safety Solutions’ Director and Senior Safety Consultant, Andrew Wilkinson, has been advising businesses on their health and safety since 2019 though he’s been a specialist for many years, previously working at Heathrow Airport. With UK temperatures set to rise exponentially in the summer of 2025, Andrew wants local companies to take care of their staff. “As there is no maximum set in legislation for upper levels of temperature, it can be difficult for employers to know when…
To stay competitive, business leaders must align with Managed Service Providers that deliver strategic value, drive innovation, and support to scale. Now firmly into 2025, it’s becoming clear what HY2 has in store for the IT landscape. For SMBs, the message is clear: business growth must be matched with smarter, more scalable managed services. The demand for cyber-resilient, cloud-first and AI-integrated solutions is no longer a forecast – it’s a reality already shaping business priorities. According to leading global technology market analyst firm Canalys’ MSP Trends 2025 report, the MSP model is transforming under growing pressure to deliver more strategic value, tighter cybersecurity integration and…
New research reveals that the government’s decision to cut levy funding of Level 7 apprenticeships for apprentices aged over 21 from January next year, will cost UK employers around £214m* in additional training costs. With 89 percent** of Level 7 apprentices aged over 21, research from the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC), the higher and degree apprenticeship voice for over 80 universities, also reveals the extent to which cuts will widen the skills gap, hinder social inclusion and stifle economic growth. Level 7 apprenticeships, which are the equivalent to a Master’s degree and proven to enable firms to upskill and develop future…
The Manchester Fashion Institute has developed a powerful digital platform to help UK fashion and textile businesses stay compliant, competitive, and future-ready. FASHTRAX, created by the Institute’s Textiles Transparency Team (MFITT) at Manchester Metropolitan University, puts easy-to-follow regulatory guidance at businesses’ fingertips, allowing them to stay ahead of rapidly evolving legal standards, including the upcoming EU Digital Product Passport (DPP). At the heart of the platform is the Compliance Navigator, an intelligent diagnostic tool offering tailored advice based on company size, product type, and supply chain footprint. “FASHTRAX is designed to simplify compliance in a complex world,” said project co-lead…