Liz Barclay, Author at Elite Business Magazine

Liz Barclay

Liz Barclay has co-founded Business111.com, the navigation tool to help small and micro businesses get the support they need for the stage the business is at. She is also the IoD’s Small and Micro Business and Entrepreneurship lead, a presentation and communication skills coach, chairs and speaks at national and international conferences, is a NED and trustee, and is a member of the advisory board for the International Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation. She works with Boards and businesses on governance, partnering, trust and culture, inclusivity, employee engagement, and understanding customer behaviour.

Liz has a background in broadcasting and journalism specialising in small business, personal finance and consumer affairs, has run broadcast production companies and is author of several business books. She was the Small Business Commissioner for the UK until June 2025, has been a Financial Inclusion Commissioner, an Ambassador for Business Debtline, a member of the Fundraising Regulator Standards Board, a NED of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Codes of conduct are redefining leadership

Liz Barclay

Jun 3 '26

Why the IoD’s director code of conduct matters for UK business, and how better governance creates better businesses and a stronger economy

Can business be a force for good?

Liz Barclay

May 21 '26

Dive into the concept of business as a force for good and the collective responsibility of UK enterprises to drive positive change

Effective small business support

Liz Barclay

Apr 14 '26

Pressures on the “everyday economy” (cost of living, energy, rents, labour costs) are reshaping the support small firms need

Time to remodel networking and build real relationships

Liz Barclay

Mar 23 '26

If you’re a dedicated fan of networking and have already taken umbridge at the title, I don’t blame you

UK Hospitality sector faces perfect storm as business rate relief ends

Liz Barclay

Feb 18 '26

Pubs, restaurants and hotels – already grappling with rising costs and post-pandemic recovery – are facing further pressure, according to Liz Barclay, the UK’s Small Business Commissioner (SBC) from 2021-2025

Once upon a time…

Liz Barclay

Feb 2 '26

It was a dark and stormy night, but I was thrilled to be judging again for the Elite 100 Business Awards, so I hunkered down and snuggled up

Small firms need real-world support

Liz Barclay

Jan 7 '26

With pressures rising after the Budget, co-founder Liz Barclay explains how Business111.com gives small firms clarity, confidence and practical guidance they cannot get elsewhere

Budget fallout

Liz Barclay

Dec 3 '25

What do the measure announced on 26th November say about how UK government sees small and micro businesses and entrepreneurs?

Hurdling the entrepreneurship barriers

Liz Barclay

Nov 24 '25

Entrepreneurs face internal and external barriers that can stall or derail their determination to build successful businesses

The legal responsibilities and duties that come with entrepreneurship

Liz Barclay

Oct 24 '25

Entrepreneurs are creative and innovative, but in the excitement of doing their own thing many forget, or don’t fully realise the extent of, the legal responsibilities that come with being a director of your own company

Seen but rarely heard

Liz Barclay

Sep 19 '25

People often run businesses along the tried and tested methods of those that have gone before. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, disrupt and add something new to the mix, according to Liz Barclay

Yes: You are an Entrepreneur

Liz Barclay

Aug 8 '25

Millions of people in the UK run their own businesses. Does that mean they can call themselves entrepreneurs? I’ve been mulling this over since joining the IoD (Institute of Directors)