Why is networking so important to SMEs? David: When I first started in the investing world my new boss told me his story about when he started the business. He came from a large bank and when he opened his own company, he was initially surprised that his phone never rang and he realised that unless he did something his phone would never ring again! So, he had to get out and make things happen – which he did very successfully.  Whilst business has gone increasingly online and great companies can be built using technology there is still a place for networking with humans. There is something ..read more

The latest NatWest Sustainable Business Tracker shows that UK small businesses are seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and become eco-friendlier, with a particular emphasis on green energy. 46% of SMEs in the UK have already switched their supplier due to sustainability concerns, with a further 20% looking to reshore at least part of their supply chain to boost sustainability throughout the rest of the year. Out of the five sustainability priorities in the Sustainable Business Tracker, three have increased since March 2022. 51% of SMEs identify green energy as a high priority for the year ..read more

Research by the Resolution Foundation found that the government’s plans to level up cities around the UK will cost billions more than originally thought, with the think tank stating that the ‘levelling up’ agenda will require investment that goes ‘far beyond anything currently being contemplated’ by the government. In 2019, a pledge to ‘level up’ the nation was made, providing people, communities and businesses with a fair chance of being equal economically. The agenda aims to address the disparity in employment rates, pay, health, productivity and formal education between regions across the U ..read more

IW Capital has announced that a landmark £8.7m will be invested in Rockwater – a leading chain of high-quality lifestyle and hospitality destinations. IW has now invested over £120m in UK SMEs, helping to drive business growth across the country whilst amassing a highly impressive and sector-agnostic portfolio. Rockwater is a leading chain of lifestyle and hospitality destinations providing everything from restaurants and live music to wellness activities and even festivals. Rockwater’s locations aim to become key hubs in their communities, attracting local and international visitors. With one ..read more

The risk of small business failure has fallen over the past year as more people turn to SMEs, providing an optimistic outlook for the UK’s small business landscape. ONS figures analysed by the London School of Economics (LSE) reveal that just 5.7% of small businesses are at risk of failure, compared to 15% at the beginning of 2021. The figures also showed that the risk of closure among companies with less than ten employees dropped below 5%, whilst it stood at 15% at the start of the year. UK SMEs have battled various obstacles over the past few years to register impressive growth throughout 2 ..read more

Recent data from Mastercard shows that two in five SMEs in EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) are being driven by digital growth and international sales to earn more money than before the pandemic. The report found that 46% of small and medium-sized businesses are now making more revenue and profit than they did before the pandemic thanks to international trade, with 71% recording above global-average growth in online sales. The pandemic caused small businesses to re-evaluate their strategies and many businesses realigned their regional and global markets. The report found that 77% of S ..read more

Research from Aldermore shows that 53% of small businesses made an investment in sustainability within the past 12 months, with the average spend being £61,250. SMEs are leading the way in sustainable practices, with 55% of them providing initiatives to reduce the emissions of commuting and business trips – compared to less than one-quarter of big businesses who have done the same. The survey also revealed that most business plans for SMEs include either maintaining or increasing spend on environmental sustainability this financial year, despite rising inflation and interest rates. It is estim ..read more

Small businesses are receiving vital support from their customer base, with a study from Opinium on behalf of American Express, reporting that more than half (55%) of small businesses reported seeing a rise in new customers purchasing from their business over the past six months. The study showed that 52% of small businesses believe customers are choosing to shop with them to support them through the challenging trading period that is driven by ongoing cost and supply chain pressures. Similarly, a study from IW Capital found that 58% of Brits plan to shop more at their local high str ..read more

Due to external factors affecting the business environment, the FTSE 100 saw the worst week of losses since June 2020 in May. This has caused Brits to change their investment habits, with a study from IW Capital showing that 29% of the population are actively looking for new investment opportunities outside of stocks and shares. Combined with rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, the importance of financial stability has been highlighted to Brits. It, therefore, comes as no surprise to see them searching for ways to supplement their salaries. However, the pandemic brought the issue o ..read more

IW Capital is proud to announce a £2m investment in Location Live – the UK’s premier locations planning specialist for the Live Marketing sector. This injection of capital will aid the group’s expansion into international markets, whilst focusing on the development of its proprietary digital marketplace and platform LO:LIVE, which saw exponential growth during the Covid-19 pandemic. Driven by innovation and its unique insights into consumer behaviour in this sector, The Location Live Group helps brands connect physically with audiences in real life and the rapidly evolving Metaverse ..read more