Carol Daniels, NEN Operations Director attended the recent ‘Free the Founder’ event hosted by the Office of the Small Business Commissioner and ICAEW, discussions focused on how digital adoption and fair payment practices can help SMEs save time, improve cashflow, and support growth.
Technology is transforming the way we work and do business at a pace few could have imagined even a decade ago. For many small business owners, this brings both exciting opportunities and real challenges — from finding time to explore digital tools to ensuring cashflow isn’t constrained by late payments.
These themes were front and centre at the ‘Free the Founder’ event, which brought together business leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore how technology and fair payment practices can create the conditions for small business success.
It was encouraging to hear from organisations such as Aviva, IBM, Intuit, and Innovate UK about how larger companies, government, and tech providers can play a part in creating a more supportive ecosystem for small firms. Discussions around digital confidence, access to knowledge, and collaboration across the supply chain are closely aligned with what NEN members see every day in their work supporting founders and small businesses at a local level.
At the National Enterprise Network, we believe the key to unlocking small business potential lies in trusted local support, practical skills development, and strong partnerships between business, government, and intermediaries.
As conversations continue around the new Business Growth Service and future SME policy, we’ll keep championing the role of enterprise support organisations in making innovation accessible and ensuring small businesses can not only adapt to change — but lead it.