By Camilla Hadcock, Chairman of Made in Britain and Director of Roach Bridge Tissues
It was an honour to be invited to the recent Small Business Strategy Summit, hosted by Wilton Park in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade, at the stunning Wiston House in Sussex. This three-day event brought together a diverse group of around 50 passionate entrepreneurs (which I count myself among), policy experts, and business advisors, all committed to shaping the future of small business in the UK.
The summit’s core focus was to explore and provide input on the Government's flagship Small Business Strategy, alongside the newly launched Business Growth Service. Wilton Park fosters an environment of open, candid dialogue, where meaningful conversations are encouraged to drive real, actionable solutions. It was a dynamic space for sharing experiences and ideas on how to support small businesses in today’s fast-evolving marketplace.
Among the distinguished guests, we were joined by Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas for an engaging afternoon session. Secretary of State Jonathan Reynolds also delivered an inspiring speech about the revamped Board of Trade's ambition to help SMEs accelerate their growth on both a national and global scale.
Throughout the summit, we delved into a variety of key topics, including strategies for scaling businesses, the importance of exports and emerging markets, utilising finance as a growth tool, and how small businesses are leading the way in AI and innovation. This was an invaluable opportunity to share the unique challenges and incredible opportunities that come with running a small business in the UK today.
One of the highlights of the discussions was the emphasis on the vital role small businesses play in driving the UK economy. The developing Small Business Strategy aims to create a nurturing environment for SMEs to flourish and expand their global reach. It was particularly exciting to see how the strategy will directly support businesses in their growth journey and ensure their continued success in the global market.
The summit also highlighted the significant contribution of British manufacturing to our economy. I was particularly pleased to introduce the ‘Made in Britain’ trademark to many attendees who were unfamiliar with its powerful message of quality and innovation. It was inspiring to learn that many of the SMEs present were not only producing goods in Britain but also successfully exporting them across the globe.
As always, I was inspired by the unwavering enthusiasm and dedication of fellow small business owners. Connecting with like-minded individuals such as Ash Chawla, Julianne Ponan, Laura Ward, Martha Keith, Rana Harvey, Bob McDonald, Simon Groom, Vishal Kumar, Claire Witz, and Katie O’Cearbhaill was both enlightening and motivating.
We were also fortunate to receive valuable insights from a range of experts, including Alex Veitch, Carl Williamson, Charlotte Keenan, Duncan Hamer, Martin McGurk, Neil Davy, Paul Wilson, Theodora Hadjimichael, Rob Burlison, Nicki Clark, Michelle Cuomo Boorer, Mark Hughes, Mark Hart, Josh Robson, Isbel Oswell, and Gary Parlett. A fantastic team from the Department for Business and Trade also played a pivotal role in capturing the ideas, strategies, solutions, and constructive feedback that emerged throughout the summit.
This event was a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision. It reaffirmed that, despite the challenges we face, small businesses are at the heart of driving innovation, economic growth, and job creation in the UK. I left the summit feeling empowered and excited for the future of our thriving small business community.
By Made in Britain 3 months ago | By Made in Britain