In a move to empower and advocate for small businesses, the establishment of the Small Business Council marks a significant milestone in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.
Small businesses are often considered the backbone of the UK economy, comprising 99.9% of all businesses and supporting a staggering 27 million jobs across the country, with an annual turnover of £4.5 trillion. Recognising their pivotal role in the UK economy, the government has declared 2024 as “the year of the SME”.
The Council includes organisations dedicated to helping small businesses, such as Small Business Britain, the Federation of Small Businesses and Family Business UK, as well as representatives from SMEs themselves. It is tasked with tackling key issues facing small businesses and providing an opportunity for small business leaders to have direct access to the government. By engaging with policymakers and stakeholders, it seeks to influence legislation and regulations to create a more conducive environment for small business growth.
The council is connecting small businesses with resources and support networks, including access to financing, mentorship programmes and market opportunities. By fostering collaboration, it aims to enhance the resilience and competitiveness of small enterprises. Their networking events, forums and collaborative initiatives facilitate knowledge sharing, peer-to-peer support and business partnerships.
Continuous learning and skills development are critical for small business owners. The development of educational resources, such as the 12-week programme, ‘Help to Grow: Management Course’ provides small business owners with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in today’s dynamic business environment. More information on the Help to Grow campaign can be found on their website here.
The team at CKLG are also on hand to help guide you through the process of starting your own small business. Learn more on website here or pick up the phone and give us a call on 01223 810100.
