Most business owners start out as operators. But growing a business means learning to wear a different hat entirely, and knowing when to switch
SPONSORED FEATURE

What leadership hat should you be wearing?

Sponsored Feature
Jun 10 '26
Most business owners start out as operators. But growing a business means learning to wear a different hat entirely, and knowing when to switch
Louise McCoy of the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans programme reports on a record summer of lending, with over 3,000 loans and £40 million delivered to UK entrepreneurs, and sets out ambitious targets for autumn.

Summer of lending, autumn of opportunity

Louise McCoy
Oct 9 '26
Louise McCoy of the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme reports on a record summer of lending, with over 3,000 loans and £40 million delivered to UK entrepreneurs, and sets out ambitious targets for autumn
The Chancellor and PM have talked a big game on the self-employed. Josh Toovey of IPSE sets out what the Budget must deliver.

What the self-employed need from the Chancellor’s first Budget

Josh Toovey
Oct 8 '26
The Chancellor and PM have talked a big game on the self-employed. Josh Toovey of IPSE sets out what the Budget must deliver
Trusha Lakhani of Great Business Matters argues that advisory boards are not just for large corporates - and that most growing SMEs are missing a critical source of outside perspective.

The board your business needs but probably does not have yet

Trusha Lakhani
Oct 8 '26
Trusha Lakhani of Great Business Matters argues that advisory boards are not just for large corporates – and that most growing SMEs are missing a critical source of outside perspective
Emma Jones CBE, the UK Small Business Commissioner, explains how small businesses can use AI tools to reduce the 86 hours a year lost to chasing late payments, with practical steps to get started.

Small steps, smart tools: how AI can free up your business

Emma Jones CBE
Oct 8 '26
Emma Jones CBE, the UK Small Business Commissioner, explains how small businesses can use AI tools to reduce the 86 hours a year lost to chasing late payments, with practical steps to get started
Paul Hargreaves of Cotswold Fayre argues that discovering your personal purpose - and aligning your work to it - is not just a philosophical exercise but a practical route to a more fulfilled life and business.

Finding your purpose is the key to happiness and fulfilment

Paul Hargreaves
Oct 7 '26
Paul Hargreaves of Cotswold Fayre argues that discovering your personal purpose – and aligning your work to it – is not just a philosophical exercise but a practical route to a more fulfilled life and business
Businesses become valuable when responsibility moves beyond the founder. Succession begins with delegation, not ownership.

Succession starts long before you hand over the keys

Pavlo Phitidis
Oct 6 '26
Businesses become valuable when responsibility moves beyond the founder. Succession begins with delegation, not ownership
Entrepreneur Andrew Scott, CEO of The Ascot Group, shares the lessons he learned from hitting rock bottom and starting again.

Sometimes, you have to lose hard to win big

Andrew Scott
Oct 5 '26
Entrepreneur Andrew Scott, CEO of The Ascot Group, shares the lessons he learned from hitting rock bottom and starting again
Dr Alka Patel explains why passing your annual health check is not the same as being healthy, and what business leaders should be asking instead.

Your annual medical tells you if you are sick. But does it tell you how healthy you are?

Dr Alka Patel
Oct 5 '26
Dr Alka Patel explains why passing your annual health check is not the same as being healthy, and what business leaders should be asking instead
Decide which decisions to stop making.

Decide which decisions to stop making

Andreas Adamides
Oct 2 '26
Andreas Adamides explains how founders can identify low‑impact decisions to stop making, delegate authority effectively, and shift focus to strategic choices that drive scale and leadership leverage
Michael Hunter of Welbeck Cambridge argues that the information advantage businesses once held over customers has disappeared - and that the firms embracing transparency are now winning trust, reducing friction and standing out in crowded markets.

Why transparency is becoming a competitive advantage

Michael Hunter
Oct 2 '26
Michael Hunter of Welbeck Cambridge argues that the information advantage businesses once held over customers has disappeared – and that the firms embracing transparency are now winning trust, reducing friction and standing out in crowded markets
Data from People Management reveals that around 46% of UK HR professionals have identified burnout as one of the biggest business risks in 2026.

Burnout in the workplace: how businesses can recognise it and provide support

Dr Evelyn Oginni
Oct 1 '26
Data from People Management reveals that around 46% of UK HR professionals have identified burnout as one of the biggest business risks in 2026