While the record-breaking vacancy numbers of last year have slowed, the UK is still in the midst of a skills shortage, with the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing that vacancy numbers are still historically high, despite signs of slowing month-on-month.

It's now less than three years until the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is switched off in the UK, which means businesses must switch to digital now.

With businesses across the country feeling the pressure of the cost of living crisis, many owners and managers are now looking for ways to save money on day-to-day activities, as well as making more considered purchases for items that will retain their value. 

The winners of the much anticipated 2022 Positive Leadership Awards have been announced, with leaders from across sectors – and across the globe – being acknowledged for their innovative and inspiring approach to changing leadership practices and bringing positivity to the workplace.  

The majority of UK SMEs (88%) plan to lean on business finance and credit this year according to new research carried out by solution-led fintech provider Nucleus Commercial Finance (NCF).

81% of business owners are worried about recession, with small business confidence taking a hit as the nation’s 5.5 million small firms face an array of challenges heading into 2023.

The highest increase in consumer debt in over 18 years means thousands of people are turning to credit unions to borrow money in the UK. 

The use of finance apps jumped by almost two-thirds in 2022 – with boomers the fastest growing demographic, reveals new data from one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory, asset management and fintech organisations.

Dexory, an intelligence and robotics company, has announced they have a new round of angel investors. This follows significant investment in 2022, when they secured $13 million (£11 million) in a seed round led by Swiss venture capital firm Lakestar.

Today at the European Innovation Council Summit, Wolves Summit, Acceler8 and Anthology Ventures announce the launch of Ventures Thrive - a new pan-European venture building studio to accelerate deeptech startups with equity-free funding and a curated growth programme. The initiative is funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) and is set to address funding shortages and growth difficulties among deeptech startups in CEE. 

Sam Martin-Ross is Managing Director of Digital Uncut, a digital marketing agency that delivers data-driven campaigns for scale-up businesses. We sat down with Sam to discuss the different components of SEO, and how B2B firms can develop an effective SEO strategy to generate leads.

Global Executives, experts and leaders will take stage, as we return with the 7th Edition Connected Banking Summit in Nairobi, Kenya on March 7, 2023. The Connected Banking Summit Series focuses on building future-oriented banking models by accelerating the pace of digital transformation and delivering a delightful customer experience in line with policy and regulations while ensuring the highest standards of privacy and security.

The term PLG (product-led growth) has been gradually gaining popularity over the past few years, to a large extent thanks to the success of companies such as Slack, Dropbox, Calendly, Miro and ClickUp.

Building on the success of its launch event, the Evening Standard’s SME XPO 25-26 April 2023 at ExCeL London, once again invites founders, entrepreneurs and business leaders to attend an action-filled two-day programme and exhibition connecting the scaleup community, a vital part of the UK economy.

VoIP provider Ringover has announced the launch of Cadence, its new multi-channel sales prospecting product designed to meet the requirements of SMEs.

The independent venture capital platform for transformative real estate technologies PT1 - PropTech1 Ventures has completed the first closing of its Fund II, with a target size of €100 million. €44 million has already been raised in the first closing, which is more than three times the volume of the first closing of the first fund.

Smart Retail Tech Expo is the event you need to be attending in 2023 if you want to see the most innovative and progressive technologies designed to revolutionise the retail sector. Will you be going on the 28th Feb & 1st March at the ExCeL in London? By securing a FREE ticket, you will be immersed into the ultimate platform for technologies designed to revolutionise the retail sector!

Digital health encapsulates everything from wearable devices and telemedicine, to mobile health and personalised healthcare. With continued labour shortages, clinician burnout at a record high and healthcare strikes continuing into 2023, startups that utilise technology will be one step closer to addressing these challenges.

Global business events organizer and consulting firm Trescon has appointed renowned industry professional Naveen Bharadwaj as its Group CEO to lead Trescon and its associated business entities such as World Blockchain Summit (WBS) – the world’s longest running blockchain summit series; IIFF – India’s premier international furniture and interior fair; and Demandify – a B2B demand generation and media vertical assisting in scaling marketing campaigns and strategies for technology companies globally. Naveen will focus on growing Trescon’s current business events in the emerging tech space such as blockchain, fintech, metaverse, AI, data and cybersecurity into new markets while also conceptualizing and launching new business lines on priority.

Given how unpredictable and tumultuous 2022 has proven to be, it has never been more important for businesses to make the most of their marketing budgets through strategic campaigns as we move into the New Year.