Congratulations to Let’s Do Business Finance, a valued NEN member, on being shortlisted for the Scale Up Business of the Year award at the Sussex Chamber Business Awards 2026
Let’s Do Business Finance has been shortlisted for Scale Up Business of the Year at the Sussex Chamber Business Awards 2026, recognising a year of strong, sustainable growth and increasing impact in supporting UK SMEs. The award celebrates organisations demonstrating exceptional growth alongside a clear plan for long-term financial sustainability. Over the past 11 months […]
How the Maple Review Recognises the Challenges Facing Entrepreneurs
The Maple Review provides a comprehensive and honest assessments of the barriers facing people who want to start or grow a business in the UK. Its findings closely mirror the themes identified in Adding Value Across Enterprise Support, the national report commissioned by the National Enterprise Network (NEN) in 2023. Both reports highlight the same […]
Sector Leaders Urge Treasury to Halt Unfair Business Rates Shock for Flexible Workspaces
A coalition of leading small business and enterprise organisations including National Enterprise Network (NEN) has written to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, urging immediate intervention over a sudden change in how the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is assessing flexible and managed workspaces. The joint letter warns that the shift to merging sites into single hereditaments is […]
DWP SME Action Plan Launch – Carol Daniels, Operations Director, NEN
Purpose of the Session The Department for Work and Pensions formally launched its new SME Action Plan, outlining how the department will transform its engagement with small and medium‑sized enterprises. The session brought together ministerial leadership, the Government’s Small Business Crown Representative, DWP commercial leaders, the Strategic Relationship Team, and a live SME case study […]
Building Confidence: How Angelique is Growing Aesthetique by Equaligne with Support from Let’s Do Business Finance
Angelique, founder of Aesthetique by Equaligne, a rejuvenation business in Buckinghamshire focused on helping clients feel confident in their skin, explains how support from NEN member Let’s Do Business Finance through the Start Up Loans programme has helped her begin building a thoughtful, patient-centred aesthetics practice. Angelique didn’t set out to become a business owner. […]
The King’s Speech and the Future of the UK Micro Business Economy
Aligning National Policy Priorities to the Needs of 5.4 Million+ UK Micro Businesses Executive Summary Micro businesses are the foundation of the UK economy. They represent the overwhelming majority of UK enterprises, sustain high streets and rural communities, support local employment, and provide vital pathways into entrepreneurship. Yet despite their importance, they remain underrepresented in […]
North East BIC Helps Young Coach Build Thriving Football Business
A young football coach has realised his dream of setting up his own business after receiving support from NEN member North East BIC. Frazer Barker, 19, from Washington, launched Technical Focus after gaining experience working for another football coaching business and deciding to branch out on his own. Providing group coaching, one-to-one sessions and holiday […]
Rachel Reeves £600m Stealth Tax Set to ‘Tax Community Enterprise Infrastructure out of Existence’ claims National Enterprise Network
The National Enterprise Network (NEN) has raised serious concerns about emerging changes and interpretations within the business rates system that could significantly increase the tax burden on shared office and managed workspace providers across the UK, as set out in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ stealth tax plans to punish small businesses to the tune of £600m. […]
TEDCO report highlights rise of female entrepreneurs in the North East
How female entrepreneurs are shaping the region’s business landscape In the early 2000s, only around one in four entrepreneurs in the UK were women. Since then, the landscape has shifted. Women now make up close to 40 per cent of business owners nationwide. Reports such as the Rose Review have helped highlight this change and […]
NEN Member Enterprise Enfield Celebrates 40 Years of Inspiring, Supporting and Empowering Business Success
Enterprise Enfield celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a very special event on Friday 20th March at the Dugdale Centre, 39 London Road, Enfield EN2 6DS. Over 100 guests attended including business owners and entrepreneurs the organisation has supported over the past 4 decades; as well as representatives from other organisations which have provided funding for […]