Last year’s rainy summer dealt a major blow to pubs and bars. But some London hospitality firms  will soon be warmed by the “Summer Streets Fund”, a new scheme designed to boost summer spending as the hot weather continues.

Run by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, the fund will be used to transform streets in selected areas into open-air food and drink hotspots, in order to support local hospitality businesses. Since COVID, data shows that over 3,000 pubs and bars have closed in the city.

Commenting on the announcement, Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UK Hospitality, said: “These initiatives can provide a real boost for hospitality businesses. I’m looking forward to seeing the impact of this investment and even more Boroughs getting involved.”

What is the Summer Streets Fund?

Outdoor spaces, such as beer gardens and alleyway seating, can be a huge moneymaker in summer. As temperatures rise, customers are looking for more places to go out, grab some food and drinks, and soak up the sunshine, ‘European-style’. 

First announced by Khan in May, the Summer Streets Fund is a pilot fund that will be used to help restaurants, cafes, pubs, and live music venues meet this new demand from customers.

The £300,000 fund is essentially a placemaking strategy to reimagine how Londoners use their streets. It builds on lessons learned during COVID, when outdoor dining became a lifeline for hospitality businesses and a beloved feature of city life.

By turning select areas into traffic-free zones, and granting special licences for extended outdoor service, the fund is designed to help businesses increase their seating capacity, draw larger crowds, and improve revenues during the peak summer months.

Councillor Marcia Cameron, Cabinet Member for Economic Inclusion at Lambeth Council, said: “By expanding our evening dining and entertainment options, we’re creating more vibrant, welcoming spaces for the community to enjoy during those wonderful months.”

Will my business get funding?

The first four London councils to benefit from the scheme have now been confirmed. They are: Westminster, Shoreditch, Hackney, and Lambeth. 

Westminster Council (£50,000)

Food and drink businesses on St Martin’s Lane in the West End will be made car free from 11am-11pm, and al fresco licences will also be available for up to 34 businesses.

Hackney Council (£100,000)

Bars and restaurants on Rivington Street and Redchurch Street will be able to offer outdoor dining and drinking until midnight, and both streets will be car free on Fridays and Saturdays. As well, businesses will be able to apply for free licences for the first three months.

Lambeth Council (£100,000)

Throughout August, Brixton’s first “Brixton Summer Zone” will be available on Saturday evenings, offering open-access outdoor seating for customers.

Waltham Forest (£50,000)

Francis Road in Leyton will extend its car free hours, also making it a hub for street trading. There will be further outdoor dining in the Leyton Midland Road as part of a summer event.  

Summer Streets fund “just the beginning”, says Khan

Protecting the capital’s eateries and drinks businesses seems to be a key priority for the Mayor this year. Data shows that London’s hospitality, leisure, and tourism businesses generate more than £46 billion every year and account for 10% of all jobs in the city.

Rising costs and changing customer spending habits, though, have sadly put many many small and independent businesses in danger of closure. 

Earlier this year, the government announced it would give Khan new powers to help pubs and clubs stay open later to protect jobs and support the city’s struggling nightlife economy. 

Khan said, “With new licensing powers granted by Government being developed, I’m looking forward to doing even more – working with boroughs, businesses and the police to drive forward more initiatives like these. 

“The schemes announced today are just the beginning and we’re looking to build on their success across London in the years ahead.”

With scorching days and humid nights, the UK is currently feeling the full force of a heatwave. And as more people head outdoors, plan getaways, and soak up the sun, shoppers are also flocking online to snap up seasonal essentials.

With more hot weather on the way, it’s time for dropshipping businesses to shine, by stocking up on the hottest products that are in demand among customers.

Using internet search data and analysis of the current market trends, below are seven products from top dropshipping suppliers that are ones to look out for this month.

Whether it’s the FIFA Club World Cup or the Ashes, summer in the UK means a great sporting event to drive Brits into the pubs and bars. During last year’s Euros, drink sales grew by an average of 8.5% during England’s home games.

That’s why many businesses are looking forward to the start of Wimbledon next Monday. The tennis tournament could bring a much-needed boost in custom to local boozers, particularly if British favourites like Emma Raducanu can make it through qualification.

It’s not just taprooms that can cash in on Wimbledon-mania. Restaurants and cafes might also choose to show matches. But if you’re thinking of turning your business into Henman Hill this year, there are rules on showing sport in licensed premises you need to be aware of.

Is it legal to broadcast live sports in my pub?

In short, probably. For virtually every major TV channel in the UK, you will need a TV license to broadcast shows or live sports in your hospitality venue. That includes watching Wimbledon on the BBC. With a TV license, you’ll be covered for:

• All live TV channels including the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4
• Pay TV services, like Sky, Virgin Media, and EE TV
• Live TV on streaming services, like Amazon Prime Video
• Everything on BBC iPlayer

As well as a valid TV license, you’ll of course also need the correct commercial licence for subscription services. For example, if you wanted to show the British Grand Prix on July 6, you’d need a Sky Sports subscription to do so.

How much does a hospitality TV Licence cost?

The cost may vary based on how your business is set up – such as how many locations or viewing areas you have. You can find more information here.

Who will know if I don’t have the right licence?

It might be tempting to flout the rules for broadcasting Wimbledon weeks one and two (after all, it’s only a fortnight) to save a bit of cash. But the penalties for being caught out will be considerably more than the cost of the initial licence.

Local police frequently visit venues to check that they have the correct permissions in place, and, if they don’t, to dish out penalties. To do this, they work closely with the anti-piracy organisation Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).

FACT can prosecute pubs and operators for showing sports without the correct licence or authorised commercial subscription, which has resulted in heavy fines of up to £1,000.

Should your venue show Wimbledon this year?

At a time when profit margins have never been tighter for hospitality firms, and many pubs are becoming unprofitable, sporting events are an opportunity to attract new customers.

Of course, it’s not as simple as hanging a couple of big-screen televisions on the wall. Other practical considerations include having the right seating plan, as well as decent sound quality. 

For popular events, you’ll also need robust booking software (something your POS system can help with) and exceptional customer service, so be sure you have enough staff on hand.

Finally, remember that broadcasting live sports or other entertainment is, at its heart, a marketing activity. So make sure you get the word out with some promotional activity. And it wouldn’t hurt to have some strawberries and cream on hand, too.

Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, has this week been appointed as the UK’s new Small Business Commissioner.

The Office of the Small Business Commissioner (SBC) was first established in 2016. It was set up to tackle the issue of late and unfair payments for SMEs, and its impact on cash flow. 

Jones will start the role next week. She takes over from Liz Barclay, who has completed her four-year term as the current Commissioner. Barclay was Startups 100 judge in 2023.

Small business minister Gareth Thomas described Jones as “someone who has long championed small firms and entrepreneurs across the UK. I am confident that her passion and expertise will ensure small firms have a powerful advocate fighting in their corner.”

Who is Emma Jones CBE?

Startups may already be familiar with Jones’ work. After successfully exiting her first business called Techlocate.com, a resource for investors, she went on to found Enterprise Nation, a support community of small businesses and advisors, in 2005.

Over the past two decades, she has led various initiatives designed to kickstart UK innovation. She joined the government’s entrepreneur collective, StartUp Britain, in 2011, as well as the SME Digital Adoption Taskforce last year. 

Last month, Jones announced she would step down as CEO of Enterprise Nation, presumably in preparation for her new role as SBC. The former CEO of Saga Media Aaron Asadi, has since been confirmed as her successor.

Commenting on her appointment, Jones said she understood the challenges facing the UK’s 5.5 million SMEs, having experienced them herself firsthand.

“I know the commitment it takes to start and grow a successful business. Founders tell me they are time poor and spending too many precious hours on non-productive work like chasing debt. This is limiting their capacity to focus on growth”, she said.

“Through the Office of the Small Business Commissioner, we will make life easier for small business owners by leveraging technology to speed up payments and access to support.”

What does the small business commissioner do?

Since it was created nine years ago, the SBC has aimed to tackle late payments and unfair payment practices. Intuit Quickbooks research found that, on average, SMEs are currently owed around £21,400 in late payments.

It’s a particular issue for small businesses. This group tends to have smaller cash reserves to keep them afloat. If a partner doesn’t pay them within the typical 30-day window, this can have a knock-on effect in terms of covering overheads, such as employee wages.

The previous SBC, Liz Barclay, set up the Fair Payment Code, a tiered award system for firms that exhibit fair payment practices. Companies that pay at least 95% of all invoices within 30 days are certified Gold. So far, 300 businesses have signed up to the code.

Later this year, Whitehall will publish the results of a public consultation on additional legislative measures to address long payment terms.

Meta has announced the rollout of three new marketing features on the popular messaging app WhatsApp this week. The change will allow WhatsApp for Business users to advertise to customers in-app.

Companies will be able to advertise through the app’s “Update” and “Status” sections and subscription models, meaning private chats will not be disrupted.

With WhatsApp quickly becoming a top platform for business-customer interaction, this latest development will give sole traders and small businesses alike the opportunity to advertise to customers through a new medium, without compromising on user privacy.

How will WhatsApp’s business ads work?

Announcing the move on Monday, WhatsApp confirmed that it would start showing ads to users for the first time. It stated that the messages will not be displayed on users’ private chats, nor will the content of its encrypted messages be used for personalised marketing.

Instead, businesses will be able to post advertisements on the “Updates” section of the app. Here, they can promote themselves through status messages that users can interact with to start a chat.

The platform’s parent company, Meta, has said that users who primarily use the app for messaging would not see the ads. 

The move brings WhatsApp more in-line with other Meta-owned social media campaigns such as Facebook ads. Those who have chosen to connect their WhatsApp account to their Facebook or Instagram profiles will see more personalised ads.

WhatsApp will also provide businesses with a subscription model feature, where customers pay to access exclusive content. From there, it will charge a 10% commission on that fee. 

Finally, the new “Status” feature within the app, similar to Instagram’s story function, will allow ads to be displayed for 24 hours. 

New WhatsApp features mean business

Even before these new features were announced, WhatsApp was already becoming a go-to platform for many small businesses. According to a study by Vodafone, 80% of firms use WhatsApp for their business operations.

Specifically, it’s become a preference for customer service interactions. Call Centre Helper reveals that WhatsApp’s usage among contact centres grew by 2% between 2023 and 2024.

But even in marketing, WhatsApp is proving to be effective. While businesses can only send marketing messages through personal chats if the customer opts in for them, the platform was reported to have a 45-60% click-through rate.

With this, WhatsApp’s new features are likely to precipitate newfound marketing strategies, giving businesses the opportunity to reach their target audience through a new medium.

Should your business use WhatsApp ads?

While these new features will be beneficial for businesses, company owners should be aware of the risk of backlash among customers. 

Personal WhatsApp users may take time to get used to reading promotional messages in what has previously been touted as an ad-free platform. 

“Any perception that WhatsApp is becoming noisy or Facebook-ified will spark backlash,” Matt Navarra, social media expert, told the BBC. “If [Meta] moves too fast or it starts to feel like another ad network, people might disengage or maybe worse, distrust the app.”

However, WhatsApp boss Will Cathcart argues in the BBC report that the move is a “natural extension of messaging services”, with similarities to rival apps like Snapchat and Telegram.

“We have stories on Instagram and stories on WhatsApp, and now we have a way for businesses to promote themselves in both, and we think it’s a good thing.”

Love it or hate it, Dubai chocolate has been taking the internet by storm. The viral sweet treat has been making rounds on social media, particularly on TikTok, attracting consumers worldwide for its unique look and taste.

But while online sellers and dropshipping businesses alike are jumping on the bandwagon to meet the demand, the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned that some products are missing important allergen information, which may put consumers at risk.

This means that online businesses could face a legal and reputational risk if unapproved products are sold, and must take cautionary measures when selling some food items online.

What is Dubai chocolate, and why is everyone talking about it?

Much like the Little Moons hype — one of many brands to gain viral fame on TikTok — the Dubai chocolate craze has seen thousands of consumers eager to try out its exotic flavour.

And while the demand may seem sudden, the origin of this sweet sensation actually goes back to 2021, first being imagined by Sarah Hamouda. 

While pregnant at the time, Hamouda had a craving for chocolate, pistachio, tahini and knafen (a traditional Arab dessert) all together. Seeing a business opportunity in her appetite, Hamouda, along with her husband Yezen Alani, developed the chocolate bar together and began selling them through their FIX Dessert Chocolatier business.

A few years on, and consumers around the world have caught on to Hamouda’s tastes. Supermarkets across the UK — including Lidl, Aldi, Marks & Spencer and Home Bargains — now sell various brands of the product. 

It scores highly for SEO too. On TikTok, keyword search volume for “dubai chocolate” is at 192,00 and trending by +1,256+.

The demand is so high that the trend has allegedly sparked an international shortage and price hike of pistachios, according to The Independent. 

Lessons for dropshippers

Dropshipping is now somewhat of a craze itself, with the UK market expected to reach $78m by 2030. And as any dropshipper will tell you, good profitability relies on selling what’s in demand. But trending products or not, selling unsafe items could land you in hot water.

Last week, the FSA issued a warning over the risk of selling imported Dubai chocolate. The watchdog says that it found some products didn’t list the full ingredients, nor state any allergen information, which is a legal requirement. It also added that some products may have additives and colours that aren’t allowed on the UK market.

As well, an article by the BBC found that other sweets and snacks listed on the TikTok Shop also failed to include this information. TikTok says that it has since removed those products.

For dropshippers and online sellers, you are legally required to declare whether food items contain any of the UK’s 14 major food allergens (like peanuts, sesame, soy, and eggs). 

If your products don’t include this information, you will be fully liable if a customer becomes ill, particularly if you’re a sole trader without the protections of a limited company.

Is it still safe to sell Dubai chocolate?

This isn’t to say that you can’t sell Dubai chocolate at all. While the FSA found that “most” imported goods were safe, shoppers should buy them from trusted retailers. They have also advised buyers to report concerns to their local authority if they believe an item is unsafe.

For online sellers, this means using a trusted supplier that can provide FSA-approved goods. You should ensure that allergen information is included in your products and that a full list of ingredients is visible to customers.

“Wherever people buy food, it needs to be safe and what it says it is,” Dr James Cooper, deputy director of food policy at the FSA, said in the BBC’s report.

“Food businesses in the UK must be registered with their local authority and follow food law. All businesses have a legal responsibility to sell safe food and provide allergen information.”

Hospitality has had a tough few years with rising costs and tightened consumer spending limiting footfall. In the midst of this pressure, some pubs have taken a controversial step to encourage custom: banning small children.

The move has divided public opinion. Supporters say it helps create a relaxed, more adult-appropriate atmosphere, while critics argue it’s exclusionary, or even “anti-family.” 

For pub owners, it raises a larger question: how do you manage your venue’s vibe without alienating your customer base or inviting legal trouble?

In this article, we’ll explore whether banning children from pubs is legal, ethical, and, perhaps most crucially, good for business.

Why are pubs banning kids—and what are the risks?

Some pubs have gone child-free to create a calmer or more high-end atmosphere, without risking customers’ experience being disrupted by a tantrum on the next table. 

Talking of bad behaviour, The Dam Bar and Grill in St Helens banned children after 7pm after reports of kids digging holes and climbing on furniture in the pub’s beer garden. 

Staff from the venue said, “Following last night’s events where my staff had to change their job role from bar staff to childcare staff, we will now be putting a restriction on children on the premises, and asking them to leave at 7pm,” as reported by the Liverpool Echo. 

Similarly, A Kent pub, The Anglers Rest, introduced a ban on kids under 14. Landlords Mandy Keefe and John Forge called the move an ‘an ode to the glory days of the boozer’. 

Last October, Forge told KentOnline, “Customers have said it’s brilliant because they don’t have to watch exactly what they’re saying.”

For The Anglers Rest, it seems that a ban is less anti-child, and more adults-first. With a lack of adult-only spaces in the UK, drinkers can feel that they need to keep things PG, which can lead to a watered-down atmosphere. 

That said, others have taken to social media, calling the ban ‘archaic’. Pubs considering a child ban should consider the risk of attracting negative attention or bad press. Even if it’s legally allowed, families may feel unwelcome and take to review sites to air their grievances. 

To mitigate the risk of reputational damage, some pubs have opted for a happy medium. You could explore family-free hours, or designated child-friendly zones, to keep everyone happy. 

Is it legal to ban children from pubs?

In short, yes, pubs can legally ban children from their premises or apply age restrictions. This is down to the landlord’s discretion, unless their alcohol license says otherwise. 

Before 1995, children under 14 were not allowed in pubs. The Licensing Act 2003 removed many of the restrictions on children in pubs, and now, it’s up to the landlord. 

Many larger chains already have lighter age restrictions in place, such as requiring children to leave by 6pm. 

The official government guidance states that: “A commercial service provider like a restaurateur or pub landlord is entitled to refuse to serve someone. 

In exercising that right, the service provider must consider the obligations placed on them by legislation outlawing discrimination on grounds of disability or race. However, there is no law that would cover alleged “discrimination” against children.”

While it’s fair enough that parents may feel a sense of exclusion from child-free pubs, anti-discrimination laws only apply to protected characteristics like race or disability, but not age, when it comes to children. Landlords are well within their legal rights to go child-free. 

Should your venue go child-free?

Before enforcing a no-kids policy in your pub, the first step is understanding who your target market is. This will help you to understand the impact on customers. 

Are you attracting families during the day and weekend lunches, or is your main crowd adults looking for a chilled pint? A blanket ban may be welcome at more grown-up venues, while it could alienate your loyal daytime clientele and affect your bottom line. As hospitality navigates a challenging climate, this is the last thing you need.

It’s worth settling on a middle-ground. Child-free evenings, family zones, and clear behaviour policies help set boundaries and remind parents what’s expected. 

Whatever you decide, it’s important to make sure your rules are clearly communicated on your website, menus, and signage to avoid confusion or confrontation. We’d also recommend training staff to deal with sensitive situations tactfully and professionally. 

Ultimately, with hospitality already facing tough economic conditions, it’s best to balance customer experience with commercial sense. Child-free or not, creating a welcoming, well-managed atmosphere that fits your community is the safest bet.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) has, for a while, been considered a key ingredient to success for online stores. And smaller ecommerce businesses have spent years perfecting SEO strategies to compete with big players.

However, as artificial intelligence (AI) infiltrates every facet of technology, a new strategy being termed ‘Generative Engine Optimisation’ or GEO, is set to overtake SEO.

GEO measures how well online content can be summarised by AI platforms. And it seems to be the new gold standard, as top rankings on search engines become less relevant.

Google’s AI Overviews and ChatGPT have already transformed how people find products online. Now, it’s up to businesses to respond to the changing face of online sales. 

What is GEO — and how is it different from SEO?

GEO refers to the strategy of making content more appealing and more easily discoverable by AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s SGE. It’s being popularised because AI search is becoming the dominant route of online shoppers searching for products online. 

GEO and SEO share many similarities, such as the use of keyword strategy, an emphasis on high-quality, helpful content that represents E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust), and a goal to enhance the visibility of content online and build site authority.

The main differences of GEO, compared to SEO, is that it prioritises clear, structured, and conversational content that can be easily parsed by LLMs, not just human eyes. 

Instead of keyword stuffing to score top ranks, GEO favours content that is written in a natural tone, with question-based, long-tail keywords that genuinely satisfy a user’s intent. 

Traditional SEO is by no means redundant, but generative tools are on the rise, and they ‘read’ and summarise pages differently. To succeed amid the changing face of search, ecommerce businesses need to adapt their approach accordingly.

Why ecommerce businesses can’t afford to ignore GEO

If you have an online store, you might have noticed a drop in visibility as AI search tools are on the rise. This is because tools like Google’s SQE prioritise content summaries, instead of direct links. While this is great for users getting a balanced answer to their query, it means sites may experience a decrease in clicks. 

However, AI search doesn’t have to mean goodbye traffic. By writing product descriptions, FAQs, and reviews in a style that AI algorithms can easily understand and extract value from, your site can still be picked up by search engines. 

If you’re still relying on keyword-rich, jargon-heavy, sales-oriented copy that previously scored top rankings, you may want to simplify your approach. AI tools often skip over this type of writing, since it’s less conversational and more difficult for algorithms to parse. 

How to build a GEO strategy for your website

To summarise, the key difference between SEO and GEO is that SEO’s focus is to achieve page-one search rankings, while GEO aims to score a spot in AI-generated summaries.

But how does that translate to actually setting up your online store? Here are some helpful tips for building a GEO-first strategy for your ecommerce business:

• Write conversationally: AI search tools prioritise content that is clear, conversational, and direct. So, opt for keywords that use natural phrasing that your customers would actually say. And no more keyword stuffing.
  
• Structure your content as a Q&A: a good way to seamlessly adapt your content for GEO is to reformat existing posts into FAQs or simple Q&A. This way, you naturally lean into a more conversational tone and use those question-based, long-tail keywords that AI search loves
  
• Embrace images, videos and infographics: you may have noticed that Google likes to spotlight video content at the top of its search rankings where available. It’s because it’s often a quicker and more user-friendly way to digest information
  
• Use schema markup: schema, AKA structured data, helps AI and search engines understand your content contextually. You can manually insert schema into your HTML

Sellers need content that is scannable, human-first, and multi-modal to remain relevant as GEO ripples across the ecommerce world. By embracing both SEO and GEO as part of your approach, you can continue to promote your business successfully on search.

Following reforms to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), it will soon be compulsory for company directors to confirm their identity with Companies House. 

The ECCTA represents one of the most significant changes to UK company law in recent years. It aims to tackle fraudulent business registrations and improve corporate transparency.

New filing rules will roll out in phases, affecting all UK-registered companies. Companies House has now announced that from Tuesday 18 November 2025, legal requirements for directors to verify their identities will begin.

These include mandatory ID checks for directors and people with significant control (PSCs), stricter filing restrictions, and financial penalties for non-compliance. 

What’s changing at Companies House?

Identity verification is a key step in improving trust in the company register for both new and existing businesses. As part of the ECCTA reforms, identity verification will soon become mandatory for directors, PSCs, and presenters of documents to Companies House. 

Requiring ID upon registration will make it harder for fraudsters to set up UK firms. All new directors and PSCs will need to provide ID upon registration, while existing directors and PSCs will have 12 months to verify their identity. 

The new rules apply to all UK companies, including sole directors and PSCs with no corporate support. It’s important to comply as failure to do so could result in your filings being rejected, which could leave your business unable to legally trade in the UK.

Compulsory ID verification is just one element of wider reforms. Since last March, Companies House has been able to reject suspicious filings, query company names, remove inaccurate information from the register, and reject disqualified company directors.

Last October, Companies House also gained the power to issue financial penalties for non-compliance. And, this March, it was able to expedite the process of striking off companies formed with false information. Further changes are due in Autumn 2025. 

How to verify your identity (and why you should do it early)

As of April 8, 2025, voluntary ID verification is already available. By doing it now, you’ll steer clear of delays or issues when you’re actually due to confirm your identity. 

There are two ways you can verify your identity with Companies House.

1. Firstly, you can contact Companies House directly, either online or via the Post Office. This is a quick and easy route, which is suitable for most UK-based directors or PSCs.
2. Alternatively, you can verify your identity via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), like an accountant, lawyer, or secretary. 

This may be an easier option for non-UK-based directors or PSCs, who may not have access to the online portal or have British ID documents. 

Key deadlines and compliance timeline for SMEs

Here are some of the key deadlines you should be aware of to stay compliant with reforms to ECCTA as a business director or PSC. 

• On November 18 2025, it will become mandatory for all new directors to provide ID. Existing directors and PSCs will have 12 months to update their information. ID verification will be requested as part of the annual confirmation statement filing.
• By Spring 2026, ID verification from document presenters will also be mandatory. Only registered ACSPs will be permitted to file documents on behalf of companies, and documents submitted by disqualified directors will be rejected.
• By the end of 2026, all limited partnerships will have to submit more information, and the transition period will end for all individuals on the register requiring ID verification. Anyone who hasn’t verified their identity will face compliance activity. 

To stay compliant and avoid penalties, we recommend verifying your ID sooner rather than later. In doing so, you’ll also avoid administrative headaches and potential reputational damage from non-compliance later down the line. 

Social media is brimming with advice. But while they were once limited to lifestyle hacks, it seems influencers are now giving out business finance tips. And not all of it is golden.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently clamped down on illegal financial promotions by so-called “finfluencers”, or finance influencers, following repeated warnings and growing concerns around the spread of misinformation online.

When navigating the world of self-employment, sole traders and freelancers are increasingly turning to TikTok and Instagram for advice on taxes, cash flow, and investing. But in blindly taking financial advice from strangers on the internet, many risk getting burned.

What’s happening with finfluencers?

The FCA’s latest action is tackling the phenomenon of ‘finfluencing’. It refers to social media influencers who position themselves as financial experts and offer money advice, or promote products, without proper accreditation.

Regulators across Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Italy, the UAE and the UK took part in the action, which began on June 2. Following the investigation, the FCA has:

• Made arrests and authorised criminal proceedings against three individuals
• Interviewed four additional finfluencers
• Sent seven cease and desist letters
• Issued 50 warnings

One previous case highlighted by the FCA features Emmanuel Nwanze and Holly Thompson, who used Instagram to provide advice on buying and selling contracts for difference (CFDs) without the proper authorisation to do so. Mr Nwanze and Ms Thomspon are facing trial, along with a further seven finfluencers, for their involvement in promoting the scheme.

The group is being charged with unauthorised communications of financial promotions under Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Why small business owners should be cautious

It can feel like an easy fix, and even empowering, to manage your own finances with tips from TikTok. Many sole traders are already doing so, due to financial constraints and the widespread accessibility of social media advice.

That said, many influencers are not qualified accountants or financial advisers. They’re also unvetted and unmonitored by any official bodies, leaving them free to promote whatever they like online. And that could be a high-risk investment scheme or questionable tax strategies.

In the pursuit of financial wellness, many sole traders may be tempted by quick hacks, like dodgy expense write-offs or crypto investment. One wrong move could lead to fines or legal action, so it’s important to approach financial advice with shrewd judgment.

Better yet, leave it to the professionals. Business finance, especially as you grow, requires tailored advice. One-size-fits-all money hacks are often nothing more than bids for engagement, and HMRC won’t accept “I saw it on TikTok” as an excuse if things go south.

How to spot bad financial advice online

In the middle of an unrelenting cost-of-living crisis, it’s understandable that sole traders look for affordable advice. But social media can often be risky terrain.

It’s not to say every ‘financial expert’ on social media is bogus. But you should always remain critical when taking money advice from an unverified source.

Red flags to watch out for include influencers who promise guaranteed returns, push products without disclaimers, or avoid regulatory terms like “financial adviser”.

Personal finance content has its place. It offers general information and tips about managing money. But regulated financial advice is personalised and specific to your circumstances and goals, provided by a professional. Only the latter should be used for business advice.

If you don’t want to say bye to your favourite finfluencer, you can cross-check any tips with trusted sources, such as Gov.uk, or a licensed accountant to be safe.

You can also find tips on how to find a small business accountant in our expert guide.

For startups looking to scale operations, venture capital is often the golden ticket to successful expansion. 

That’s why growth-ready founders will be pleased to hear the government has relaunched its Office for Investment (OfI) initiative to attract high-profile foreign investment to the UK. 

Tech, AI, and green energy are among the fast-growing, innovative sectors that will be targeted by the program. Amid the current funding drought, the government’s attention towards investment should help create a more startup-friendly climate in the UK.

What is the new Office for Investment — and why does it matter?

The Office for Investment (OfI) is a joint venture between No.10 and the Department for Business and Trade, designed to support “transformational” investment in the UK. 

It aims to facilitate inward investment by providing professional investor relations, commercial support, and tailored opportunities for investors interested in the UK market. 

The revamped program will focus on “high-impact” foreign direct investment (FDI), especially in industries that align with the UK’s tech and innovation agenda, like AI and green energy.

Since taking office, the current government has welcomed around £100bn in investment into the UK. This includes a £10bn partnership with OCBC, Singapore’s second largest bank, to encourage investment from the Asia Pacific region in energy, infrastructure, and real estate, as well as £500 million from JLR to support the production of electric vehicles.

Regarding the relaunch of the OfI, CEO of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Karim Fatehi, OBE, commented, “Setting a new course for the Investment Office has the potential to drive greater investment in London and the rest of the UK, creating jobs, building businesses, and supporting economic growth.

“To remain relevant in a competitive market, we must create the best conditions for international investors to succeed and prosper in the UK.”

Government scales up innovation amid LSE chaos

While the UK was ranked the second-most attractive place in the world for investment in PwC’s annual survey of business leaders, it still trails behind the US. 

With UK-born household names, Wise and Deliveroo going stateside, Britain could be in danger of falling behind if it doesn’t attract more foreign investment. 

In its efforts to kickstart economic growth, the government has already announced several programs and initiatives. Namely, the AI Opportunities Action Plan, a £250m program to support AI development, offering funding, skills training, and access to tech for AI startups. 

Additionally, reforms to UK pension policies have this year seen seventeen major pension funds sign an agreement to invest in high-growth companies and VC-backed scaleups. The move could unlock up to £50bn for UK businesses and projects.

Lastly, the government’s recent push to cut red tape for foreign investors and help international scaleups to launch UK offices shows a clear determination to support the UK’s flourishing startup scene and create more jobs.

What should scaling startups take away from this?

It’s good news for UK startups, as it signals that more capital will be flowing into the UK, meaning more funding opportunities from international backers looking for credible UK deals. 

Importantly, the OfI is prioritising tech and innovation sectors for investment opportunities. Think AI, clean tech, and health innovation. If your startup operates in these spaces, it’s smart to spotlight this when defining your position and narrative for funding pitches. 

Since the government is finally trying to make the UK startup-friendly, now is the opportune moment to get noticed in investable sectors.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has wrapped up a four-year investigation into fake reviews on the world’s largest online marketplace, Amazon. The results reveal widespread issues with manipulated and incentivised customer feedback.

In response, Amazon has committed to stronger measures to tackle misleading reviews on its UK platform. This move could signal the beginning of a wider industry crackdown, as the CMA is now actively sweeping review platforms to identify breaches of consumer law. 

With stricter oversight, new visibility rules, and an increased risk of enforcement, ecommerce sellers must steer clear of fake reviews or risk earning a fine, especially if selling on Amazon.

What’s changing on Amazon following the CMA review?

Ecommerce behemoth Amazon has now committed to tackling its fake review problem following the CMA’s probe, which first began in 2021. 

Amazon has agreed to fix issues of ‘catalogue abuse’, which is where sellers pluck reviews from high-performing products to add on separate listings to falsely improve star ratings. Customers could be misled into thinking they’ve found a five-star vacuum cleaner, when in reality, the reviews discuss a toaster. 

As part of the crackdown, Amazon will also sanction businesses that are found to engage in fake reviews or catalogue abuse on their site. Businesses found guilty may lose the ability to post reviews at all or be banned from selling on the site. 

Other undertakings include improving Amazon’s systems around detecting and removing fake reviews and allowing consumers and businesses to report them when they spot them. This will make it easier for the site to take necessary action.

The CMA will monitor Amazon’s compliance with the undertakings over the next year.

Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said, “Star ratings and reviews have a huge impact on [consumer] choices. That’s why these new commitments matter. 

“They mean people can make decisions with greater confidence, knowing that those who seek to pull the wool over their eyes will be swiftly dealt with.”

What does this mean for online sellers?

If you’re an Amazon seller with only genuine reviews, you don’t need to worry. You may notice closer scrutiny around customer feedback, but sanctions will only apply to sellers found guilty of manipulating ratings or reviews.

Sudden spikes in 5-star ratings, incentivised feedback, or suspicious reviewer behaviour are likely to raise alarm bells as Amazon steps up its efforts to remove fake reviews. 

If any shady activity is flagged, sellers could see their listings lose visibility, especially as trust metrics become a bigger part of the algorithm.

That said, honest sellers are more likely to benefit. If Amazon successfully eliminates fake reviews from its site, it will level the playing field and rebuild consumer trust, rewarding sellers with real positive feedback with a greater share of sales.

Why customer feedback matters more than ever

Online reviews are highly influential when it comes to deciding which product to buy. A huge 90% of consumers check reviews when making a purchase, showing that customer feedback has a clear impact on conversions, SEO, and seller credibility. 

Reviews have a strong impact on customers’ opinions and are goldmines of data, so sellers should still embrace them while ensuring they are handled ethically.

For example, encourage sellers to leave reviews based on a genuine positive experience, not rewards. You can also remind buyers to leave reviews organically by using follow-up emails or physical inserts in your product packaging. It’s also good practice to monitor and respond to reviews, signalling that you’re engaged in your customers’ experiences.

As well, in November 2023, Amazon launched a Customer Review Insights tool for sellers to actively improve products and services in line with actual customer experiences. The tool offers sellers insights like review trends, customer sentiment overviews, star rating comparisons, and commonly mentioned keywords or phrases.

As regulators clamp down on fraudulent reviews, having a trusted brand, real feedback, and high customer service standards will become a truly competitive edge.

Consultants are the latest target of online satire by TikTok’s HR commentators. Poking fun at vague LinkedIn job titles and cryptic social posts from the Big Four, the internet is wondering: what do business consultants actually do?

The scrutiny may also be due to recent controversy over the combination of high fees and rather unclear deliverables, which is typical of the profession, particularly in the public sector.

Despite the criticism, small, independent consultants play a valuable role for many small businesses. For sole traders in particular, they can be a source of guidance which helps them scale with confidence.

Why do consultants get a bad rap?

Following reports of spending on private consultants by public bodies amounting to a ‘scandalous’ £3.9bn in 2023-24, a 60% increase on pre-pandemic rates, consultants have ended up under the microscope.

People are, naturally, wondering what value consultants really bring to justify their high day rates and whether the rise in public sector spending indicates an over-reliance on consultancy. 

Since consultants are by no means cheap, many sole traders are hesitant to spend the money on them when it’s unclear what they’d be paying for. 

While the bigger firms, like McKinsey, Deloitte, and PwC, are the most well-known to the public, there’s another side to the world of consultancy. In addition to the major players, there are independent and SME-specialist consultants that are cost-effective, practical, and can offer invaluable lived experience to newer businesses.  

When choosing to work with a consultant, sole traders and SMEs should prioritise those who have direct experience in their field and can offer clear objectives and key results; not just a prestigious title, employer, or buzzwords. 

What does a business consultant actually do?

“Consultant” is a broad title that covers a wide range of specialists who can provide expert guidance in specific areas. Common types include:

• Strategy consultants, who help shape long-term plans for growth or market positioning
• Marketing consultants, who focus on brand development, customer acquisition, and digital channels
• Operations or process consultants, who streamline internal workflows or supply chains
• Financial consultants, who offer insights on budgeting, forecasting, or securing funding

What they are not is employees or personal coaches. Consultants are typically brought in for short, fixed-term contracts to overcome specific challenges or identify opportunities. Their value lies in offering specialist knowledge and objective insight that’s tailored to your business, and that you otherwise wouldn’t have access to within your existing team.

A good consultant won’t talk in jargon or drop a slide deck and ghost. Instead, they should be capable of delivering tangible, concrete outcomes, like more efficient systems, actionable growth strategies, or clearly defined KPIs.

Should you hire a consultant?

It can be a smart move for sole traders to bring in a consultant, but only if the time is right. Here are some situations in which it may be wise to seek out expert guidance:

• You’re too busy with day-to-day operations to plan a long-term strategy
• You’re breaking into a new market and need guidance
• You’re struggling to build scalable systems as your business grows

Once you’ve identified the need, the next crucial step is choosing the right consultant for your business. By asking for case studies and references, you can confirm they’re capable of delivering real results. You should also clarify the scope and deliverables before starting any partnership and set measurable goals to track progress along the way. 

Just because you’re new to an industry, it doesn’t mean you need to learn by trial and error. Hiring a consultant with real experience in your target markets can be a cost-effective way to access high-level expertise without the commitment and expense of a full-time hire. 

Especially for those looking to scale their startup while maintaining a lean business model, consultants can be a key ingredient to success.

Shein, the Chinese fast fashion giant, is in hot water this week over its alleged use of manipulative marketing tactics.

The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), made up of 25 members across 21 countries, has accused Shein of using “dark marketing” techniques which it says are designed to pressure shoppers into impulsive purchases.

But what exactly is dark marketing, and how can small ecommerce brands ensure they’re not inadvertently using it in their own marketing plans?

What is dark marketing, and why does it matter for ecommerce?

While most shoppers won’t have heard the term “dark marketing” before, you may be more familiar with the concept if you’re marketing an online store.

The phrase dark marketing, or dark patterns, refers to techniques which aim to trick or pressure customers into purchases by toying with emotions. 

The BEUC has criticised Shein specifically for allegedly using tactics such as fake countdown timers and low-stock messages, nagging customers, creating ‘FOMO’ or a fear of missing out, and forcing registration on the site with pre-ticked sign-up boxes.

The retailer has also been accused of “confirm shaming,” which attempts to coerce the user into opting into something, like buying a product or signing up for an account. 

For example, using manipulative copy like: “No thanks, I hate saving money,” to close a pop-up offering a discount if users sign up for a newsletter would count as confirm shaming.

Commenting on the complaint, BEUC Director General, Agustín Reyna said: “This ultra-fast fashion model is fuelled by manipulative practices that pressure consumers into buying ever more. SHEIN is designed to be addictive: it is driven by powerful algorithms to maximise consumer engagement and overspending.”

The BEUC has now submitted a 29-page dossier to the European Commission with examples of these alleged dark patterns. Shein claims that the group has not accepted a request for a meeting to discuss the filing further.

How can you spot dark patterns in your own site or marketing?

As more large retailers use dark patterns in their marketing approach, smaller ecommerce companies may have unintentionally adopted this style, without knowing the risks.

Common examples of dark patterns include:

• Pre-ticked boxes: These automatically opt users into extra charges, subscriptions, or newsletters unless manually unchecked, tricking them into paying more or handing over personal data.
• Confusing checkout flows: Complex or misleading navigation during checkout makes it hard to review or change purchases, often leading to accidental buys.
• Guilt-tripping language: Sentiments like “Don’t miss out,” or “We will be sad if you leave”, pressure users emotionally into completing purchases.
• False scarcity: Lying about stock levels, e.g. “Only 2 left!” or using fake countdown timer, creates a false sense of urgency, pushing users into impulse buys.

In terms of EU law, dark patterns break the Digital Services Act (DSA), specifically Articles 25 and 31, which prohibit practices that distort or impair users’ ability to make autonomous and informed choices.

As Shein and other large retailers grow their presence in the EU, regulation is tightening up. It’s a smart time for smaller sellers to review their website or app UX and ensure their marketing practices are in line with the law.

There are also new UK consumer protection laws that sellers must be aware of, as they are increasingly targeting these issues to protect shoppers. 

From April 6, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), will be able to investigate online sellers and those found in breach of the law could be fined up to 10% of their global turnover.

How to build trust, not pressure

In a competitive market, it’s tempting for online sellers to lean on urgency to drive sales. But as consumer attitudes shift toward mindful shopping, ethical marketing isn’t just the moral choice. It can actually see better results.

Highlighting low stock is still allowed, just ensure it’s genuine and not a sales tactic. Falsely claiming scarcity will only damage trust when customers eventually catch on that the items they rush to buy are still available weeks later.

Instead, focus on building credibility with clear CTAs, easy opt-outs, and streamlined checkouts. There are plenty of tools and plugins that help you do this transparently, without resorting to manipulation.

While giants like Shein might be able to absorb the fallout from the BEUC’s accusations, the success of smaller businesses rests on long-term customer retention and trust. 

And, in an era of savvier shoppers and stricter regulation, it’s a great time for independent sellers to embrace integrity.

Independent cafes and restaurants, heads up, there’s a new government scheme to help hospitality businesses reduce energy bills 

In 2025, utility bills remain one of the biggest pressures facing small hospitality businesses.

By adopting energy-efficient measures, pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants can reduce their overall energy bill – this is what the scheme sets out to assist with. 

The government estimates a £3m total saving across the industry, which won’t be a huge windfall. That said, support in the form of free audits and advice can be a potentially useful scheme to help businesses when margins are especially tight.

What is the new energy efficiency scheme?

As part of the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to make the UK “a clean energy superpower”, over 600 small and medium-sized hospitality businesses will be offered free expert advice and audits.

Via recommendations on how to cut both costs and carbon emissions, the scheme aims to save the sector £3m on energy bills and reduce carbon emissions by 2,700 tonnes.

The emissions-cutting scheme is funded by the government but delivered by Zero Carbon Services, one of the top net-zero advisers for the hospitality industry. 

Being more energy-efficient is both better for the planet and your pocket. By switching to alternatives like induction hobs, LED lighting, or smart refrigeration systems, hospitality businesses can save on energy bills. 

Regarding the scheme, Zero Carbon Services CEO, Mark Chapman, said “Most venues have opportunities to save energy, food and money without realising it. 

“By combining smart data with one-to-one coaching, we help operators take simple, practical steps to reduce waste, lower emissions, and improve day-to-day efficiency. It’s about making small changes that add up.”

Why does this matter for small F&B brands?

Although energy bills have fallen since their peak during the energy crisis in 2022 and 2023, they remain volatile and unaffordable for many. 

Official data shows that small restaurants and cafes faced average annual energy costs of £1,881 in late 2024; a drop from £2,307 in 2023, but still a sharp rise from £1,167 in 2020. 

The government’s energy price cap has offered some relief, but current rates remain significantly higher than pre-energy crisis levels, leaving hospitality companies feeling pessimistic about the future. 

Beyond bill trouble, hospitality businesses have also faced various other challenges in the past five years. Following rising business rates and employer NICs, staff shortages, and a drop in late-night footfall, some relief on energy costs will offer a much-needed boost.

Although £3m on a national scale doesn’t sound like it would spread far, the impact can be significant. Additionally, switching to energy-efficient measures can mean businesses become eligible for other energy-saving incentives, providing extra savings. 

How can businesses access the scheme?

While energy efficiency is one way to reduce energy bills, many independent venues simply don’t have the time, expertise, or money to spare on investing in it. The government’s new scheme aims to remove some of these barriers. 

The scheme will run from May 2025 to March 2026, on a trial basis involving 615 firms. Businesses will be selected at random to be involved in the trial phase of the scheme. 

Since the government has partnered with UK Hospitality and the Hospitality Sector Council to roll this out, further details will be shared via trade bodies and councils. 

Selected businesses will be contacted this month, and must already have a smart meter installed to be eligible. It’s also helpful to keep energy usage records handy in preparation for audits. They will receive a free tailored carbon reduction plan from Zero Carbon Services and ongoing support from their dedicated ‘carbon coach’ for three months.

Aside from the carbon-reduction scheme, there are several funding opportunities out there to ease pressure on small businesses. Check out our recommendations for the best small business grants in case you’re looking for additional financial support. 

Finally, after continued low optimism, some good news for hospitality businesses. Barclays’ most recent Consumer Spend Report has found that spending growth on eating and drinking out reached 6.7% in April, a 16-month high.

Continuing a trend away from nights out in favour of early bedtimes, the data shows that Brits prioritised their spending in restaurants, cafes, and bakeries.

The news provides a bit of breathing room for the sector. Declining disposable income has curbed spending appetites for many Brits. But businesses are facing numerous other challenges in today’s trading landscape, including staff shortages and rising overheads.

Hospitality spending up

For the first time since it began analysing spending data in 2019, the latest Barclay report shows that all hospitality and leisure subcategories saw growth in April.

Julien Lafargue, Chief Market Strategist, Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management, described economic sentiment as “surprisingly positive, supported by a resilient consumer”.

Eating businesses triumphed over drinking. Spend growth at restaurants, cafes, and bakeries was 8.8%, compared to 6.6% at pubs, bars, and clubs.

The figures may reflect a growing trend away from boozy nights out as a ‘sober shift’ sees consumers replace the hangover with Insta-famous bakeries and dessert spots.

According to the most recent January 2025 data collected by YouGov, 50% of Brits now say they visit restaurants at least once a fortnight, a decline of 4% over the last 12 months.

This is significantly higher than the 37% who say they visit the pub once every two weeks. And, tellingly, 49% of Brits now say they never go to the pub.

Spending shifts towards experiences

As well as April’s card data, Barclays’ has this month released its ‘10 years of Spend’ report, to reveal how spending patterns have changed over the last decade.

Not surprisingly given the cost of living crisis, budget is a top concern for consumers. 66% say they pay more attention to their budget than they did in 2015, and 49% plan to reduce discretionary spending this year.

That said, a desire for meaningful moments remains. 13% of Brits say they feel less guilty about spending money on experiences. Analyst William Higham says this is because, in uncertain times, consumers may spend more to cope with financial stress.

“Functional purchases often take a back seat in favour of fun, joy, and the things and people that matter most to us, a trend set to continue for some time”, says Higham.

Known as “retail therapy” to most, Barclays has its own term for this trend. ‘Doom spending’ is the act of buying short-term treats, rather than saving money, to cope with economic stress. It’s a play on ‘doomscrolling’, the habit of constantly scrolling online news headlines.

The practice is apparently most popular among younger customers. 30% of those aged 18-34 admit to ‘doom spending’ – significantly higher than the 21% national average.

Employers brace for impact of NI rise

Barclay’s spend data suggests that consumers are still loyal to their local eateries. However, the data doesn’t yet reflect the impact of the recent increase in employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) which has severely reduced profit margins for many businesses.

As a result of the policy change, which came into force at the start of April, one industry body warned that over 80% of UK pubs could become unprofitable.

It’s a plausible outcome, especially considering UKHospitality survey results from May 6, where one-third of hospitality operators reported operating at a loss.

While the modest rise in consumer spending offers some hope of revenue stability, without support to offset recent tax rises, more hospitality businesses are likely to fall into the red.

Stuart Machin, the boss of retailer Marks & Spencer, has bagged a £7.1m pay packet as he becomes the latest CEO to enjoy a substantial pay rise.

Machin’s pay was up by 39% for the last financial year. The bump in earnings came weeks before M&S fell victim to a cyberattack over Easter, which halted online orders and compromised customer data.

In comparison, the retailer’s previous leader, Steve Rowe earned a total of £2.6m in his last year at the helm.

It may seem surprising for the boss to take home such a sizable increase while crisis comms are still ongoing. But Machin has been praised for his handling of the situation. His latest pay reward highlights the important role that leaders play in business continuity planning.

M&S CEO’s pay packet, explained

Deciding how much to pay yourself as an employer can be a difficult task. Unlike employee salaries and wages, CEO pay almost wholly reflects the performance of the business.

Alongside a base salary of £894,000, Machin (who became CEO in 2022) reportedly earned £1.6m in bonuses linked to M&S’ performance in the last year, and £4.6m in long-term bonuses based on future performance, which he will be able to access in two years.

CEO pay has been rising steadily over the past two decades. Machin’s payday jackpot will seem astronomical to the average UK worker, who currently earns around £40k a year.

That said, it’s far from the largest in the FTSE 100. Last year, the boss of HSBC made headlines when he was awarded a 600% bonus despite company-wide cost-cutting.

Why M&S gave its CEO a pay rise amid a cyber crisis

Ransomware group DragonForce claimed responsibility for the recent M&S hack. Large retailers Harrods and Co-op were also hit, forcing both to shut down parts of their IT systems. The fallout for all three victims will likely continue for several months.

As a result, it may seem an odd time to raise the boss’ pay. On the one hand, Machin’s pay deal was confirmed weeks before the attack took place.

But the chief executive is also set to receive a 2% pay rise from July (just short of the 5% pay rise that M&S workers received at the start of April) taking his annual salary to £865,700.

So what’s behind the decision to reward your leader while the business is in crisis?

In answer, look at Marks & Spencer’s trading history. Machin has overseen an impressive financial turnaround for the firm, which had been flailing. Under his tenure, the firm’s share price climbed from 127p in January ‘23 to an impressive 224p by August.

Smart marketing efforts have also seen the 120-year-old retailer pivot from a ‘Granny-ish’ reputation to attract younger Gen Z shoppers, boosting its market share and profits. On Monday, M&S confirmed that group profits before EBITDA had grown by 22% in FY24-25.

In its annual report, it also said that it will delay setting performance targets for its 2025 pay awards until the end of the year, “as a result of the recent cyber incident.”

The decision appears to recognise the extraordinary nature of the latest cyber incident, and the work that Machin has done to mitigate its impact on the business behind-the-scenes.

Leadership lessons

It’s all well and good being a strong, successful leader during a company’s heyday. It’s far harder to do it when the going gets tough.

Machin’s response to the M&S cybersecurity crisis has earned him high praise. He has ensured regular communications to customers and investors.

The ICAEW also reports that under Machin’s leadership, M&S had run a cyberattack simulation last year, demonstrating the importance of contingency planning.

Machin says the test run meant the business knew how to respond “quickly and take the right actions immediately” in order to “put the business continuity plan into action”.

In contrast, CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz faced criticism for a statement that, according to critics, avoided taking responsibility and failed to include an apology — after a faulty security update from the company crashed 8.5 million Windows devices last year.

We might expect CEOs to be rewarded for a smooth year of steady, uninterrupted growth. But in fact, true leadership is often revealed in times of turmoil.

CEOs who steer through crises with resilience, foresight, and accountability are rewarded not just for their successes, but for their ability to safeguard the business when it matters.

Read our guide to designing an effective business continuity plan for more tips on how to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.