Business Insights

Luke Davis, CEO of IW Capital discusses the shift in sentiment and the sectors most attractive to investors this year

When starting a company, you can explore a variety of avenues. The one that may speak to you most, though, is insurance.

On 15 January, the Supreme Court handed down a decision that means many businesses will be able to claim for losses under the business interruption (BI) clauses in their insurance policies if they were forced to close due to a government-imposed lockdown.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak last year, the UK Government announced that the IR35 reforms would be delayed for a year and come into force in April 2021.

It is nearly a year since Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the UK’s first national lockdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic, ordering the temporary closure of all non-essential high street businesses in an effort to gain control of the disease.

It is still not too late to apply for a CBILS loan, providing you are a Limited Company or LLP registered in the UK, as applications are being considered up until 31st March, at which point it will be replaced by a new Recovery Loan scheme as announced in the recent budget.

Marriage is the most common reason for anyone to change their name in the UK.

Mike Whittle (UK Managing Director) and Steve Barry (Client Director) of EvolutionCBS highlight the value of trust between the seller and the business sales team and how it can play a key role in your business’ smooth sale.

Research released by Mettle, the NatWest-backed business account, using YouGov’s platform, estimates that the UK’s growing self-employed and side hustler movement will contribute an estimated £125 billion in turnover to the UK’s economic recovery in 2021.

In any business you need to plan for growth and be responsive to change. When this is successful the company’s processes will remain aligned as the business grows.

Mike Whittle (UK Managing Director) and Steve Barry (Client Director) of EvolutionCBS highlight the value of trust between the seller and the business sales team and how it can play a key role in your business’ smooth sale.

Business reputation is important and hard won however it can be quickly damaged with subsequent financial losses if online review platforms provide negative feedback.

As an entrepreneur or an investor looking at early-stage investment, you may feel that 2020 brought you more challenges than you needed and be anticipating the counter-balancing opportunities.

Phil Parkinson, Legal Director at specialist property solicitors JB Leitch, considers the opportunities and challenges for considering the conversion of commercial premises into residential dwellings

As the vaccine boosts confidence among businesses, what are the prerequisites investors are looking for?

Selling a business is never just about the bottom line. It can be an emotional process and I’ve seen some of the toughest business people struggle with stress and indecision over it all.

Small businesses have until the end of March to apply for interest and fee-free funding through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Scheme (CBILS).

It has been great to see many businesses adapt and thrive throughout the pandemic, while for those facing ongoing uncertainty and challenges, the roll-out of the Covid vaccines now provides some welcome light at the end of the tunnel.