Insights
As a highly successful Business Advisor, Elephants Child is a well-placed to be a valuable source of news, information and thought leadership of relevance to UK SMEs, with articles created by our experienced advisors and our key partners.
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.
Elephants Child featured in Your Business magazine
Elephants Child has officially landed a feature in the latest Your Business magazine – and this edition was guest-edited by none other than iconic Dragon’s Den investor and all-round business pioneer, Deborah Meaden.
Five resolutions business owners should make for 2026
The New Year is more than a symbolic reset; it’s an inflection point. Resist the temptation to get straight back into the day-to-day execution of running your business and make some resolutions to see you through the next 12 months and beyond.
What Could the Autumn Budget Mean for Growing SMEs? Thinking Ahead with Head, Heart and Hand
For SMEs in growth mode thinking about expansion, this month's Budget from the Chancellor could be more than a policy update—it may be a moment to pause, reflect, and prepare for what’s next.
Planning an Exit? The Right Timing Could Leave You Better Off
Tax rates are changing. If you are thinking about selling your business, the timing can significantly impact the net proceeds shareholders receive.
Purpose-driven business growth advice
Elephants Child is a holistic, purpose-driven business growth advisor dedicated to supporting business owners, leaders and their senior management teams achieve their business ambitions.
Whether you’re looking for valuable growth, tackling challenges or focusing on strategic exit planning, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
We’ll create a clear line of sight and strategy that maximises the value of your company, optimises operations, energises your people, and places corporate governance and social responsibility at the core of your business growth journey.
Curiosity is the key to unlocking new abilities, ideas, knowledge and focus. We’ll ask the right questions, drawing on the ‘six wise men’ of Rudyard Kipling’s The Elephants Child story – focussing on solving the ‘who, what, why, how, where and when’ to gain clarity, develop a workable plan, and deliver success.
More than just an advisor; we’ll be your strategic partner at every phase of your business growth journey.
Our ambition is to inspire a community of purposeful business, where leaders can achieve their personal goals whilst developing businesses that are a force for good.
How we help
Between them, our herd of advisors have experience of owning and selling their own businesses as well as holding senior management level positions in a wide range of sectors and in different sized companies. We know how it feels to tackle many of the issues business owners and senior managers face. As well as the herd’s impressive expertise, we also leverage the skills of a network of trusted partners, so there’s no challenge we can’t take on together.
Whatever your business ambitions, we’ll work in partnership to plan and execute your business growth journey.