Features

A law firm’s expertise and experience are central to its value, and firms that effectively manage and utilise information have a competitive edge. As technology rapidly advances, knowledge management (KM) has transformed from simple document-sharing systems into a critical function that shapes the way legal services are delivered.

Starting one’s own business is arguably an exciting prospect. It offers many freedoms and opportunities possibly never experienced in a previous profession. In the UK, entrepreneurship is going strong, with nearly half of working age Britons considering launching their own business this year, up from 35% a year ago.

Every time I sit down with a founder, I ask one simple but revealing question: “What are you paying yourself?” I have learned after years of working with founders that their answer will not only tell me what I need to know about the state of the business but also so much of what I need to know about the person I am helping.

The ways of working previous generations experienced are no longer reality. We don’t set out from school or college with a set career plan, the promise of future pay rises and promotions so we can buy houses and grow families, followed by rewarding pensions.

A quick Google search for ‘businesswoman’ brings up countless images of suited professionals who certainly look like they mean business.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s essential to recognise the women who are not only breaking barriers but also shaping the future of technology.

I remember early in my career how happy and motivated I felt when I was entrusted with some task that was out of the ordinary.

The last Issue of Startups talked about how sustainability had to be a focus for startups in 2025, and I couldn’t agree more. As a founder committed to solving the planet’s biggest problems, I support SMEs with digital transformation and sustainability.

At 12 years old, my world shifted in a way I never expected. My mum was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and overnight, I became a carer – not just for her, but also for my four younger siblings.

What do a controlling bully, a serial adulterer, and an alcoholic fraud have in common? I married them all. Big mistake!

In the fast-paced world of startups and entrepreneurship, where uncertainty and self-doubt can often creep in, one of the most powerful tools us women can have at our disposal is connection.

While headlines celebrate female entrepreneurship, there’s a concerning trend hiding in plain sight. The percentage of women-led SMEs in the UK has declined from 19% in 2021 to just 15% in 2023. Yet, at a time when nearly half of businesses are turning to freelancers to drive innovation, female micro business owners could be the key to unlocking economic growth.

At 17, I wanted a darkroom in the garage and to take photos all day… at 30, I was still convincing myself photography wasn’t a ‘real’ career.

For many women, financial independence is not just a goal – it’s a necessity. Despite earning more and holding higher positions than ever before, women still face significant financial challenges.

The competitive reality of startup accelerators has reached new heights, with recent industry data revealing a stark imbalance between supply and demand. Approximately 4.2 million companies search for funding annually, with 1.6 million applying to accelerators. Yet, only 48,000 are accepted into equity-based and non-equity-based programmes, according to Crunchbase data, leaving 97% of entrepreneurs underserved and without access to critical support.

In the world of healthcare, there has been a long-standing gap in the way diseases and medical conditions have been researched, diagnosed, and treated for women. From heart disease to reproductive health, much of the focus has historically been on male-centric research and clinical trials.

In the UK, 18% of businesses are female-owned, while 82% are male-owned. Yet, women are starting more businesses, and 16-22-year-olds are starting more businesses than any other age group.

I want to be a billionaire, and I’m not afraid to shout it from the rooftops. Why? Because the world needs more women in business who dare to dream this big – and act on it.

A​ few months on from the Labour Government’s first Autumn Statement and the employment market is in turmoil, business closures have hit a 20-year high and UK economic growth has all but stalled.

Against a backdrop of geopolitical instability that disrupted global supply chains, 2024 proved to be a particularly challenging year for UK businesses, especially for those involved in international trade.