What is your business actually worth?
Your business may be the most valuable asset you own. But unless you understand what drives that value, you may be making important decisions with an incomplete picture. Knowing what your business is worth is not just about preparing for sale. It is about understanding what you have built, protecting that value, and making better decisions about what comes next.
What is the right age to start thinking about selling your business?
If you're over 50, this message is especially urgent. Life circumstances, whether health, family needs, or simple burnout can change quickly. Waiting too long might force you into a rushed sale, which usually means accepting a lower price or less favourable terms. By planning ahead, you give yourself more options. You can wait for the right buyer and time the market selling when your business is on its way up and not when you’re ready to give up.
Employment law changes are coming fast: 8 things every small business should be doing now
The changes being introduced throughout 2026 and into 2027 represent some of the biggest shifts to employment rights in over a decade. While many employers are aware that legislation is changing, fewer have considered what these changes mean in practical terms for their business, their managers, and their day-to-day processes. The good news is that there is still time to prepare and ensure compliance with the employment law changes.
What happens when shareholders have different retirement timelines?
In an ideal world, business partners would reach retirement readiness at the same time, exit together, and move on with perfect symmetry. In our experience, that rarely happens. Misaligned retirement plans are far more common than most business owners realise. But there are ways to deal with the situation constructively.
Funding Options for Small Businesses in 2026
In recent months, access to finance has improved for small and medium-sized businesses. High street bank lending to SMEs reached £4.6 billion in the first quarter of 2025 — the highest level since mid-2022 — with lending to the smallest businesses up nearly 30% year-on-year
10 tips for business owners heading into the new financial year
Before anything else, give yourself permission to step away. Easter offers a natural pause. Or one of the May Bank Holiday weekends.
What Business Owners Are Really Thinking Right Now
Richard Murray reviews how business owners are feeling right now, based on our conversations with a wide range of SME leaders in recent weeks:
Salary v Dividends – How should you pay yourself in 2026?
Now that the self‑assessment deadline has passed, many directors are taking a fresh look at how they take profits from their companies. The choice between salary and dividends isn’t just about “what saves the most tax.” It also affects pensions, state benefits, borrowing ability, and long‑term financial planning.
Five Years On: Helping business owners to grow and succeed in challenging conditions
Kevin Petley reflects on five years with elephants child, and the many challenges business owners have had to tackle during that time. He’s worked with over 50 businesses during those five years on Business Growth Plans and providing board advisory support.