Late-paying customers are one of the biggest causes of cash flow problems for SMEs. Read more
How to chase late-paying customers without losing them
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The top tax-saving opportunities that are often missed by SMEs
Nobody wants to pay more tax than they need to. For SMEs, paying the right amount of tax has become more important than ever.
Traumatic or trustworthy – Is HMRC doing enough to support taxpayers?
Taxpayers need to know how to comply with changing rules and many find themselves reaching out to HMRC for support and guidance.
Traumatic or trustworthy – Is HMRC doing enough to support taxpayers?
Taxpayers need to know how to comply with changing rules and many find themselves reaching out to HMRC for support and guidance.
Cash flow versus profit – Which matters more to an SME?
While profit can be seen as the main indicator of business health, the importance of cash flow is often overlooked.
The financial benefits of hiring Gen Z
15 July marks World Youth Skills Day, which is a day to celebrate the importance of equipping young people with the skills they need for employment and entrepreneurship.
Traumatic or trustworthy – Is HMRC doing enough to support taxpayers?
Taxpayers need to know how to comply with changing rules and many find themselves reaching out to HMRC for support and guidance.
How could a new Prime Minister impact SMEs in the UK?
With Keir Starmer announcing his resignation as Prime Minister, there has been much speculation about what this means for the future of UK politics.
HMRC launches consultation for mandatory Direct Debit VAT and PAYE payments
HMRC is currently consulting on proposals that could make Direct Debit the mandatory payment method for VAT and PAYE liabilities – a move that would affect millions of UK businesses.
Mixed picture for UK mergers and acquisitions– Where do the opportunities lie?
Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are a core part of business growth and resilience.
Done well, the acquiring business benefits from a new market and the other company gets access to additional resources and support.
Government data has shown changes in the value of UK M&As, so it is necessary to understand how opportunities may manifest in the future.
How are mergers and acquisitions changing in the UK?
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently published data concerning M&As and the picture is mixed.
Compared to the previous quarter, the first quarter of 2026 saw a notable fall in the number of M&As, dropping from 495 to 352.
Inward M&As, those deals wherein foreign businesses acquired UK businesses, saw an £18.8 billion reduction in value, as it was only £14.2 billion compared to the previous quarter’s £33 billion.
Domestic M&As, those conducted between UK businesses, took a slightly smaller hit of £0.4 billion, resulting in a value of only £1.5 billion compared to the previous £1.9 billion.
Outward M&As bucked the trend as UK businesses acquiring overseas companies saw a £1.7 billion increase in value, taking the £3 billion generated in the last quarter to £4.7 billion.
What opportunities are there for mergers and acquisitions in the UK?
For UK businesses unsure about expanding overseas, the data might make the case that it is a worthwhile endeavour.
Using M&As to expand internationally gives UK businesses access to people who understand the market, language and culture needed to succeed in a new territory.
This will involve engaging with the existing team and learning from their lived experiences.
For businesses focused only on UK growth, M&As remain a viable expansion strategy even as value fluctuates.
It is worth remembering that the value of a business at the point where an M&A completes is not necessarily indicative of its long-term value, as your efforts could be the key to greater future growth once you have a place in that market.
Looking to expand your business?
Our team can help you understand all aspects of an M&A to ensure you are best positioned to find sustainable growth for your business and then support you through the process.