Dale Walker, Director of Education at Apprentify shares his thoughts on the future of AI in the workplace and why your managers are the secret weapon to its success.

Rebecca Kelly, Commercial Lawyer and Co-Founder of shizl, has over 20 years’ experience advising business owners on what legal documents they need and when. Rebecca’s vast experience, and that of her Co-Founders, is the inspiration behind shizl, a cost effective subscription based service which enables businesses to access high quality legal documents at a fraction of the cost of paying solicitors to draft them.

Could 2025 be the year you take the first step towards starting your own business? There could be several reasons why you are thinking about launching your own startup this year. Perhaps you’d like more financial freedom, to be your own boss, to have more flexibility, or to have a career challenge.

This year Amazon UK turned to Growth Studio to implement its national innovation programme AIA (Amazon Innovation Accelerator) across the UK.

Laura Leslie, Partner at DSG Chartered Accountants (DSG), discusses her insights on navigating leadership in the traditionally male-dominated finance sector. She offers advice for other female leaders that are facing challenges, and her thoughts on how to reach your full potential following this year’s International Women’s Day.

In the fast-paced business world, leadership isn't just about what you say, it's about how you say it and how you present yourself physically. Your visuals and your body language speak volumes before you even open your mouth. Whether you're in a boardroom, negotiating, or interviewing for a new position, the way you carry yourself will shape the instant perception others have of you. 

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.

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.

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.