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Emma Jones CBE
Emma Jones CBE

Small Business Commissioner


Following a degree in Law and Japanese, Emma joined international accounting firm Arthur Andersen, where she worked in London, Leeds and Manchester offices and set up the firm’s Inward Investment practice that attracted overseas companies to locate in the UK.

In 2000, bitten by the dot.com bug, Emma left the firm to start her first business, Techlocate. After 15 months, the company was successfully sold to Tenon plc when Emma was 27. The experience of starting, growing and selling a business from a home base gave Emma the idea for Enterprise Nation which was launched in 2005 to support the flourishing number of start-ups and SMEs.

Enterprise Nation expanded to become an active small business membership community, reaching more than 800,000 businesses each year with its powerful digital business support platform. Whilst leading Enterprise Nation, Emma presented a positive campaigning voice to government and the media on behalf of partners and members.

In 2011, Emma co-founded enterprise campaign, StartUp Britain, that she ran until 2014. During that time, StartUp Britain facilitated mentoring, hosted Industry Weeks, toured the UK with entrepreneurs and experts, launched special projects such as PopUp Britain and had a critical role to play in record results of people becoming their own boss.

Emma served as SME Representative for Crown Commercial Service from July 2016, working to encourage more small businesses to sell to the public sector and its major suppliers.

In June 2012 Emma was awarded an MBE for Services to Enterprise. Emma was awarded the rank Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2021.

Emma started as the Small Business Commissioner in June 2025.

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
Emma Jones CBE, the UK Small Business Commissioner, explains how late payments cost small businesses far more than money - affecting decisions, wellbeing and supply chains.

The hidden price of getting paid late

Emma Jones CBE
Sep 16 '26
Emma Jones CBE, the UK Small Business Commissioner, explains how late payments cost small businesses far more than money – affecting decisions, wellbeing and supply chains
Emma Jones, the small business commissioner, reviews a year of progress, ongoing pressures and future priorities for fair payment practices.

A year as small business commissioner: progress, pressure points and priorities

Emma Jones CBE
Aug 19 '26
Emma Jones, the small business commissioner, reviews a year of progress, ongoing pressures and future priorities for fair payment practices
The King's Speech confirmed landmark late payment legislation that could transform life for the UK's small businesses. Here is what is coming and when

A big month for small business

Emma Jones CBE
Jun 26 '26
The King’s Speech confirmed landmark late payment legislation that could transform life for the UK’s small businesses. Here is what is coming and when
Cutting regulation to free up founders

Cutting regulation to free up founders

Emma Jones CBE
Jun 18 '26
The Small Business Commissioner on why reducing the regulatory burden is one of the most powerful things government can do for entrepreneurs
Discover how AI tools for small business paperwork can streamline your document processes and save you time and money.

Take the pain out of paperwork

Emma Jones CBE
May 11 '26
Let’s be honest – when you started your business, you didn’t dream about reading contracts or completing procurement documents. You had a vision, a passion, and probably a very long to-do list
Small businesses just want to be paid on time and so they should. That’s the clear message from the UK Government last month as it cracks down on late payments with the largest set of reforms in over 25 years.

Time to pay up

Emma Jones CBE
Apr 16 '26
Small businesses just want to be paid on time and so they should. That’s the clear message from the UK Government last month as it cracks down on late payments with the largest set of reforms in over 25 years
At the start of the new year, many of us will be setting resolutions and goals, both in our personal lives and for business, here are some of my top tips for getting paid quickly.

Focus on the fundamentals

Emma Jones CBE
Jan 23 '26
At the start of the new year, many of us will be setting resolutions and goals, both in our personal lives and for business, here are some of my top tips for getting paid quickly
I often say to the businesses and organisations that I meet, government at its best has an incredible power to convene, to bring people together to achieve positive outcomes.

Ensuring small businesses are heard at the heart of government

Emma Jones CBE
Dec 24 '25
I often say to the businesses and organisations that I meet, government at its best has an incredible power to convene, to bring people together to achieve positive outcomes
Free the founder

Free the founder

Emma Jones CBE
Nov 11 '25
This was the name of the event we hosted last month with generous support from Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and Starling Bank
One year of the fair payment code

One year of the fair payment code

Emma Jones CBE
Oct 22 '25
When I started in the role of Small Business Commissioner back in June, I came with one simple goal – to make life easier for small businesses
Office of the Small Business Commissioner - update

Office of the Small Business Commissioner – update

Emma Jones CBE
Sep 9 '25
Since our initial interview last month with newly appointed Small Business Commissioner, Emma Jones, a Small Business Plan has been launched setting out commitments, funding pledges, and programmes to boost UK start-ups and growth