About

Anna is Senior Reporter, covering topics affecting SMEs such as grant funding, managing employees and the day-to-day running of a business.

Setting up a company

The essential guide to starting a business in Birmingham

Is Birmingham the right place for starting your business? We explore the city's key lifestyle indicators and speak to firms who set up there.

Business Loans

Start Up Loans Q&A: how do I get a loan for my new business?

We ask Richard Bearman, managing director of Start Up Loans, what brand-new businesses should do to secure that loan.

Podcasts

Nicola Horlick: ‘I’m likely to be lending a lot more money in a recession’

In the latest Small Business Snippets podcast, Anna Jordan meets entrepreneur and investment fund manager, Nicola Horlick.

News

SMEs say late payments are a greater issue than they were a year ago

The latest ICAEW figures reveal another consecutive month of negative business confidence and a concerning rise in issues with late payments.

Podcasts

Caprice – ‘I knew I had to think of Plan B after modelling. Boom: lingerie’

In the latest Small Business Snippets podcast, Anna Jordan talks to supermodel turned entrepreneur, Caprice.

Business management

Entrepreneur Q&A: ex-Apprentice star, Natalie Reynolds (Panayi)

Natalie Reynolds (née Panayi) appeared on series nine of The Apprentice. She's back with her new fashion business, Style Cheat.

Setting up a company

Entrepreneur Q&A: Peter Hillary, co-founder of Edmund Hillary clothing

Edmund Hillary's son, Peter, tells us about recreating Edmund’s expedition gear in a new clothing line and keeping his father's legacy alive.

Legal advice

Businesses may need to pay casual workers who have cancelled shifts

As part of the government's Good Work Plan, casual workers may get compensation from employers if their shift is cancelled at short notice.

Business management

Entrepreneur Q&A: ‘Michael Jackson was a great business mentor to me’

We catch up with Matt Fiddes: entrepreneur, founder of the Matt Fiddes Martial Arts franchise and former bodyguard to Michael Jackson

News

Government fails freelancers as it presses for IR35 rules

The Government has published its Draft Finance Bill and it has some concerning proposals for freelancers and SMEs.

Government Grants

UK businesses to receive £125m cash boost from Government

Government-funded body, Innovate UK, is providing £125 million to help businesses develop their ideas. Here's how to apply.

Productivity Zone

Poor tech slows productivity – and leaders are partly to blame

SME decision makers need the right tech to maintain productivity and almost 40pc say they would leave if their tools proved inadequate.

Anna Jordan

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