Q1 2026 Financial Advice That Pays for Itself Research conducted by the International Longevity Centre reports that financial advice can make individuals, on average, nearly £48,000 better off in pensions and financial assets when compared to those who do not take advice. For those ready to take control of their finances, Dartington Wealth Management is a firm of Chartered Financial Planners dedicated to helping clients increase their wealth by striking the right balance between risk and reward. We heard more from CEO Andrew Coury inside, as Dartington Wealth Management is celebrated in the Business Elite Awards 2026.
Editors Letter Phone: 01283 365204 Website: smenews.digital Sofi Parry Senior Editor No information contained on or in this website constitutes investment advice or an offer to invest or to provide management services and is subject to correction, completion and amendment without notice. Neither AI nor any of its associated entities are authorised to give financial advice of any nature nor are they regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Prior to making any investment, AI recommends that any prospective investor should consult with its own investment, accounting, legal and tax advisers to evaluate independently the risks, consequences and suitability of that investment. AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. Welcome to the Q1 2026 issue of SME News magazine. We’re proud to present yet another dazzling edition of our main magazine which celebrates the excellence of SMEs up, down, and across the United Kingdom. As the year unfolds, the corporate landscape continues to evolve and shift with fast technological developments and the deepening of connections between businesses and clients. As more and more SMEs embrace the technological shifts and advancements with AI and automation, they are also freed up to ensure their customers are served with human care. Striking this balance, to stay human but not get left behind by technology, is no small feat, but we are here to applaud those doing so. With a wide range of industries and subjects covered in this issue, we sincerely hope you enjoy perusing this magazine and we will see you again in a few months.
Contents 4. News - HSBC UK and Sage Simplify Tax Reporting for Small Businesses ahead of Making Tax Digital - Cyber Essentials Urged for SMEs Amid Rising Breaches 6. Why 2026 Will Separate the Survivors from the Statistics for UK SMEs 7. AI for SMBs: Why Data and CRMs Should Always Come Before AI Systems 9. Dartington Wealth Management: Financial Advice That Pays for Itself 10. Harkins & Vickers Electrical Solutions Ltd: Best Electrical Contractor 2025 & Client Satisfaction Excellence Award 2026 12. The Marketing Plot: Planting Strong Foundations for Sustainable Growth 13. Kairos Global: The Brand Experience Agency 14. One Stop Healthcare: Prioritising the Patient Through Accessible Private Healthcare 15. Me & Spirit Creative: Brand Strategy and Identity Design for Small Businesses 16. The Health and Fitness Coach: Lifestyle Coaching Designed for Women Over 40 17. Enchanted Lands Day Nursery: Award-winning Day Nursery in Kingsbury 18. CloudSource: Digital Transformation CTO of the Year 2025 (London): Ashish Kapoor 19. Eximia Glazing Systems Ltd: Shedding Light on Safe and Sustainable Glazing 20. Safarian & Simon Opticians: Sight to Behold In St John’s Wood 21. MB Associates: Leading Independent Mortgage Adviser in Surrey 22. Finance Director London Ltd: Fractional CFO Support for Scaling Tech Businesses
SME News Q1 2026/ 4ews HSBC UK and Sage Simplify Tax Reporting for Small Businesses ahead of Making Tax Digital As part of HSBC UK's big support for small businesses, the bank is launching a new tool to help business owners and sole traders get ahead of the Government's Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD) changes coming in April1. Powered by Sage's embedded technology2, HSBC UK's My Business Finances will allow eligible customers to manage accounting and submit tax returns digitally directly from their HSBC UK business banking account, reducing the complexity many small business owners face as MTD approaches. Sage research shows that seven in ten (70%) sole traders are not ready for Making Tax Digital with a third still tracking income and expenses using pen and paper and two thirds relying on spreadsheets to complete their Self-Assessment returns.3 This partnership is designed to address this readiness gap ahead of MTD, offering practical support to help customers stay compliant, save time, and remain in control of their finances as the tax system becomes fully digital. Through My Business Finances, customers will be able to manage their accounting and invoicing from inside their HSBC UK business account, without the need to switch between apps or platforms. Tom Wood, Head of SME Business Banking, HSBC UK, said: "Small businesses are often incredibly ambitious but generally short on time. As a leading and trusted SME banking partner, we're always looking at where owners can be more efficient so they can focus on growing their business. "Tax compliance can be both time-consuming and costly - HSBC My Business Finances will take care of a business' invoicing, accounting and tax compliance all in one place. This is especially useful ahead of new tax reporting requirements in April." Gordon Stuart, SVP, Fintech & Embedded Services, Sage, said: "Small businesses and sole traders want to focus on doing what they do best, without the burden of complex admin. "By embedding Sage's trusted accounting and tax capabilities directly into HSBC UK's business banking account, we're making managing finances effortless and accessible. "Powered by our embedded accounting technology, HSBC UK can deliver trusted accounting and tax in one unified experience, within the tools business owners already use every day." This is the latest in a raft of support measures for small businesses banking with HSBC UK. In July 2025 the bank introduced a no monthly account fee on its Small Business Banking Account to accompany free UK digital banking and free access to Business Specialists. The bank also runs the HSBC Small Business Growth Programme – a free, open-to-all platform offering training, events and expert insights designed to give entrepreneurs the tools to grow and succeed. Find out more here: HSBC Small Business Growth Programme: tools for success. The new My Business Finances tool will first be available to sole traders and landlords ahead of the Making Tax Digital changes. Visit www.business.hsbc.uk/en-gb/products/accounting for more information and to register your interest.
Cyber Essentials Urged for SMEs Amid Rising Breaches SME business owners are being encouraged to adopt the government’s Cyber Essentials scheme to strengthen their cyber security and reduce the risk of attacks. Cyber Essentials sets out steps that SMEs can take to protect themselves from the most common cyber-attacks, such as keeping software up to date and controlling who has access to accounts and data. It comes as new figures show the scale of threat facing businesses. Significant cyber incidents cost an average of £195,000 and half of all small businesses have suffered a cyber breach or attack in the last 12 months. In 2025, 92 per cent fewer insurance claims were made by organisations with Cyber Essentials in place. Certification can also help businesses win government contracts, and eligible firms can access free cyber insurance, including a 24/7 emergency helpline, provided by the Cyber Essentials delivery partner. In a statement, cyber security minister Baroness Lloyd said: “I know smaller firms don’t have large IT teams, and that is exactly why Cyber Essentials matters. It provides a straightforward checklist to lock the door on cyber criminals, without needing specialist expertise.” Developed by experts at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Cyber Essentials focuses on firewalls, secure configuration, software updates, user access control, and malware protection. SMEs can access free tools and support including the Cyber Essentials Readiness Tool (an online self-assessment to identify gaps), free 30-minute consultations with an NCSC-assured cyber adviser when preparing for certification, and a free preview of the Cyber Essentials Question Set and Requirements for IT Infrastructure to help assess readiness. Data from Yubico’s 2025 Global State of Authentication Report reveals how small businesses are facing a new wave of vulnerability, driven by a lack of resources and misconceptions about their appeal to attackers. Niall McConachie, regional director (UK & Ireland) at Yubico, said: “Small businesses are currently operating under a dangerous misconception: believing they’re too small a target for attackers. In the age of AI-driven cyber crime, automated tools target all employees and businesses the same. Every unsecured entry point is a target, and our data confirms that SMEs are leaving the front door wide open by neglecting basic training and not implementing multi-factor authentication [MFA]. “We need to abandon the idea that robust authentication is ‘too expensive’ or ‘too complex’ for smaller teams. In reality, it’s too expensive not to protect systems and data. Implementing phishingresistant MFA, such as device-bound passkeys like hardware security keys, is the only scalable way to level the playing field and immunise small businesses against the commercialised threat landscape they now face.”
SME News Q1 2026/ 6ews Feature Over the past few weeks, I’ve been sitting across the table from business owners all over the UK. Different sectors, different regions, different ambitions, but all have the same spreadsheet issues. For fifteen years, many UK SMEs have been operating inside a strange economic bubble. Cheap debt has become a safety net, a way for many to smooth over inefficiencies, postpone difficult decisions, and keep businesses alive that really, on paper, probably shouldn’t have been. That net is now broken. This year, the fear is that many firms will feel the full force of not having it in place to catch them. With the base rate still sitting around 3.75%, nearly four times the 1% average many businesses were built on, and the National Living Wage now at £12.21 an hour, the maths simply doesn’t work the way it used to. When you add energy costs, business rates, and supply chain pressures, what once felt like a “manageable squeeze” has become structural stress. In 2025, corporate insolvencies in England and Wales reached their highest levels since the 2008 financial crisis. Yet we keep hearing that this is just a temporary rough patch. It isn’t. What we’re seeing is the slow unwinding of “zombie” businesses. These are firms that existed primarily to service debt rather than generate real value. When you combine higher interest repayments with payroll costs that have risen by roughly 20% over two years, the traditional SME model simply breaks. Let me be clear, this is not a call for panic, but it is a call for leadership. The headlines this month about Claire’s Accessories entering administration are a reminder of what happens when businesses fail to Why 2026 Will Separate the Survivors from the Statistics for UK SMEs By Global Award Winning Business Coach Peter Boolkah adapt quickly enough. Nostalgia, brand recognition, and scale are no longer guarantees of survival. What matters now is agility. That’s why I point to the “new” Body Shop as a blueprint for what survival actually looks like. After its collapse, the business made hard, unsentimental decisions, halving its store estate, cutting 40% of head office roles, and ruthlessly focusing on what still worked. The result is a leaner, profitable 113-store operation built for today’s consumers, not those of yesterday. This is the uncomfortable truth many SME leaders must face: growth is no longer about getting bigger. It’s about getting sharper. The businesses that will still be standing by Christmas 2026 are doing a few things differently now. First, they’re treating cash as oxygen. They aren’t approaching it as vanity revenue; they aren’t looking at top-line growth, but real, sustainable cash flow. If a product, service, or client doesn’t contribute meaningfully, it’s being challenged or cut. Second, they’re redesigning their cost base for a world where cheap money doesn’t exist anymore and may well not return for some time, if ever. That means fewer layers, clearer accountability, and embracing technology where it can genuinely replace friction. Leaders must ensure that they are not just growing tech subscriptions which are not working for their businesses. Third, and most importantly, they’re letting go of emotional attachments. Legacy sites, legacy roles, legacy ways of working. The phrase I keep repeating to business owners is simple: what got you here will not necessarily get you through 2026. Ironically, I believe 2026 could become the blueprint for what a resilient UK economy actually looks like. Leaner businesses. Better productivity. Leaders who understand their numbers and make decisions early, not when the bank forces their hand. The safety net may be gone, but clarity has replaced it. And for those willing to act, that clarity could be the most powerful advantage of all.
Feature AI is the most exciting development most SMBs have faced for decades. The potential for innovation, prediction, and personalisation, the never-ending hype. Everyone wants a piece of it. But many simply aren’t prepared for what that really means: groundwork. Without strong systems and clean data, AI simply can’t deliver on its promise. Investment is wasted and businesses fail to reach their full potential. Which is why the sensible path to AI for SMBs begins with getting the foundations right. AI and where SMBs are going wrong The most common AI mistake SMBs make is in adopting tools before fixing their underlying systems. With AI widely positioned as a fix-all, it’s easy to understand why this happens. But without a strong foundation of clean, unsiloed data, connected systems, integrated workflows, defined goals, and a clear adoption strategy, AI simply can’t work. Any work it does produce will be ill-informed and inaccurate. It’s time for a new approach. Understanding the value of systems Every business new to AI almost always puts the focus on finding the “best” AI tools. Whether it’s a chatbot, predictor, or generative tech. But the reality is that success is far more likely to hinge on the system that supports the tool rather than the sophistication of the tool itself. Because AI doesn’t operate in isolation; it relies on the systems that feed it. With that in mind, the clever business begins by strengthening the foundations that its AI tools will be built upon, rather than obsessing over the AI model it will eventually onboard. The foundational pillars of successful AI adoption If you want to ensure the success of an AI adoption, there are three core areas that you need to have in place. Integrated systems AI needs data. That’s what makes it work. Too often, over time, a business’ data becomes siloed. Each department uses its own software, systems, and processes. Communication is made in a variety of ways. And data and insights become segmented. Implementing a CRM, like Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics 365, creates a centralised, interconnected system that enables data to flow seamlessly between departments. And creates an information hub for your AI tools to feed on. Clean, structured data Without strong data hygiene, your AI system will never be accurate. So, standardise your formats, clean the data you have, remove duplicates, and ensure that all data is accessible. AI for SMBs: Why Data and CRMs Should Always Come Before AI Systems By Satish Thiagarajan, founder of Brysa Automated workflows When you automate repetitive tasks, you not only ensure that your AI system has access to a consistent flow of data, you benefit from freeing your team to focus on more important, human-centred work. Together, these pillars provide a foundation that enhances operational efficiency while amplifying the potential value of AI. And they support each other, too. Strong clean data builds better predictions and avoids false starts. Integrated systems, feeding into a versatile CRM, create a unified feedback loop that can constantly improve your business. While automated workflows ensure that insights are turned into consistent actions, rather than being overlooked. Together, this compounds the value that AI can bring to a business. How to make your business AI-ready This part starts with the adoption of a strong CRM. Then you can move on to executing an actionable plan that audits data quality, integrates disconnected systems, automates repetitive workflows, and establishes strong data governance, so customer data is unified, standardised, and reliable. From there, you need to define clear, measurable AI use cases, enable analytics and dashboards to assess readiness, and train teams in data and AI literacy to ensure meaningful adoption. However, knowing what to fix is only half the challenge; implementing these changes across your business can require deep technical and operational understanding, and this is where many SMBs call in external experts for support. We usually recommend the following steps: Workflow mapping and optimisation Map how work actually happens across your teams. Take the time to identify bottlenecks, repetitive tasks, and manual handoffs that slow things down. Then, redesign these workflows enhancing clarity and scalability. CRM implementation Once your workflows are optimised, you’re ready to onboard your new CRM, creating your companywide operational hub. This not only supports your teams and new automated workflows, but allows you to eliminate fragmented tools, so you’re better able to support data-driven decision-making. Data hygiene and integration Finally, it’s time to audit, clean, and standardise your data. Once that’s happened, you’re ready to integrate it across your finance and service systems, creating what we like to call “a single source of truth” for your business. This will provide the basis for your new AI system. It would be amazing if we could all just purchase “the best” AI tool for our businesses, like a plug-and-play piece of hardware, and let it do its thing. And maybe that will become a possibility further down the line; a self-implementing technology that cleans up legacy systems and gets to work for you. But for now, if you want AI to support your business, you first have to put in the systems to support it. For us, that means starting with the right CRM for your business, and ensuring that you have clean enough data to serve it.
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“Real wealth isn’t just about numbers; it is about the confidence that comes from having the right people by your side on your financial journey.” Dartington Wealth Management is a modern firm with established roots and a rich history in Cambridge. The firm’s story first began in 2009, when Money Wise Independent Financial Advisors acquired Lee & Co., a Cambridge-based financial services firm established in 1962. Following a management buy-out and a demerger from the Cambridge branch of Money Wise, Dartington Wealth Management was born in 2016. Dartington is a firm of Chartered Financial Planners, helping clients grow and protect their wealth for themselves and their families. The firm provides independent, impartial fee-based financial and wealth management services to individuals, business owners, charities, and trustees, fuelled by its heritage and an unwavering commitment to its core values of honesty, integrity, transparency, and prosperity. “Through decades of economic, social, and political change, our purpose has remained constant: a steadfast commitment to helping our clients manage their money and secure their future,” Andrew told us. “It is their trust in us and our commitment to them that makes this relationship so important. Real wealth isn’t just about numbers; it is about the confidence that comes from having the right people by your side on your financial journey.” At its core, Dartington is dedicated to ensuring that its clients’ money works hard for them. Its comprehensive suite of services includes managing investments and pension portfolios, pre- and post-retirement planning, assistance with pension sharing orders, identifying and arranging the most advantageous mortgage deals, helping clients benefit from their annual tax allowances, and mitigating their estate’s Inheritance Tax liability so that they can pass their hard-earned wealth to their family and nominated beneficiaries. However a client invests their money, Dartington deploys a strategic investment process that it refers to as its Centralised Investment Proposition. Well-documented and well-adhered to, this proposition ensures that each client’s money is managed efficiently, cost-effectively, and within the agreed parameters. Using respected industry methods and practices, the firm provides recommendations that are suitable for the client’s personal circumstances, with regular improvements and adjustments made when necessary. For its unrelenting dedication to its clients’ success, Dartington has amassed a high volume of glowing testimonials from delighted clients. One client wrote: “I was looking for a reliable company to set up and manage my portfolio. After an initial consultation to fully understand my needs, Malcolm and Andrew handled my case with a professional approach and carefully explained my options, leaving me no doubt that my money is in good hands.” Since it began trading in 2016, Dartington has made significant strides in establishing itself as a leading independent financial advisor. In July 2023, Söderberg & Partners Group acquired an equity stake in Dartington, which provided long-term security for clients and employees alike. The firm achieved another major milestone in October 2024 with the acquisition of Provisio, a high-quality wealth management business. The two firms merged in January 2025 and now trade under the Dartington brand, managing portfolios on behalf of more than 700 private clients between offices in Cambridge and Letchworth. Between its organic growth and strategic acquisitions, Dartington has enjoyed a more than 400% rise in its annual revenue. Alongside this, the firm’s funds under management increased eightfold, growing from £60 million to £500 million between 2016 and 2025. Now, the team looks to 2026 with fierce determination and an unwavering commitment to helping clients build and protect their wealth, demonstrating precisely why Dartington Wealth Management has been named the East of England’s Best Independent Financial Advisory Firm 2026. Contact: Andrew Coury [email protected] Company: Dartington Wealth Management Web Address: www.dartingtonwealth.co.uk Research conducted by the International Longevity Centre reports that financial advice can make individuals, on average, nearly £48,000 better off in pensions and financial assets when compared to those who do not take advice. For those ready to take control of their finances, Dartington Wealth Management stands as a trusted, family-run advisory firm dedicated to helping clients grow their prosperity by striking the right balance between risk and reward. We heard more from CEO Andrew Coury below, as Dartington Wealth Management is celebrated in the Business Elite Awards 2026. Financial Advice That Pays for Itself
SME News Q1 2026/ 10 Scotland’s electrical contracting industry is experiencing significant changes and growth, shaped by a rising focus on safety and sustainability. In this complex environment, domestic and commercial clients alike are calling out for a trusted partner capable of delivering the highest standards of electrical services. Enter Harkins & Vickers, an established electrical contractor that has earned a reputation for its professional approach and technical expertise. As Harkins & Vickers is named in the Scottish Enterprise Awards 2025, we spoke with Director Chris Harkins to learn more. Drawing upon more than three decades of industry experience, Harkins & Vickers Electrical Solutions is a leader in high quality and reliable electrical solutions. Holding NICEIC approval, alongside additional industry accreditations and memberships, the company prides itself on clear communication, tidy workmanship, and delivering projects to a consistently high standard. Serving clients across Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the wider Central Belt, Harkins & Vickers works with a broad client base, including homeowners, landlords, property managers, commercial businesses, and developers. Its clients range from private residential customers to well-known organisations operating within the hospitality, retail, workplace, and property sectors, where it provides both reactive and planned electricals services. Catering to a broad range of industries means that Harkins & Vickers takes a three-pronged approach to delivering its electrical services. Its domestic electrical services include rewiring, consumer unit upgrades, lighting installations, smoke alarm systems, EV charging points, smart home technology, battery storage, electrical heating, and fault finding and repairs. For commercial clients, Harkins & Vickers offers electrical installations, maintenance, compliance testing, commercial lighting solutions, data cabling, and workplace EV charging. As for landlords, the company’s services include electrical installation condition reports, safety compliance testing, smoke alarm installations, and ongoing electrical maintenance to ensure compliance with legal obligations. Operating across Scotland has brought clear advantages for Harkins & Vickers, with the country’s focus on infrastructure investment and housing standards creating sustained demand for high quality electrical services. This regulatory environment places a strong emphasis on safety and compliance, requiring the company to maintain strong professional standards in order to support long-term relationships with clients who value quality and reliability. The electrical contracting industry is also undergoing significant evolution, shaped by decarbonisation, tighter regulation, and rapid technological change. With this shift has come a growing demand for energy-efficient, low-carbon, and compliant electrical solutions, in addition to increased expectations surrounding safety, documentation, and long-term reliability. Furthermore, Net-Zero targets, housing legislation, and investment in commercial property are accelerating demand across Scotland for EV charging infrastructure, energy-efficient lighting, electrical upgrades, and compliance testing. In particular, Harkins & Vickers has found commercial clients to be increasingly seeking contractors capable of delivering larger and more complex projects, as well as those who support ongoing maintenance and framework agreements. “A key area of growth is EV infrastructure,” Chris told us. “Harkins & Vickers has been actively involved in EV charging projects, including partnering with Cosmic Charging on what was, at the time, one of the largest EV charging infrastructure projects in the UK, delivered in Edinburgh. This reflects the scale of opportunity in Scotland, as public bodies and businesses transition fleets and facilities towards low-carbon solutions.” Harkins & Vickers understands the importance of staying ahead in such a rapidly evolving industry. The company actively monitors regulatory, technological, and market changes to ensure it continues to deliver future-proof solutions while maintaining and exceeding industry accreditations and compliance standards. At the same time, the team makes ongoing efforts to expand their expertise in commercial electrical systems, energy efficiency, EV infrastructure, and smart technologies. This continual growth is supported by regular investment into ongoing training and development initiatives, with the aim of ensuring that the team remains fully aligned with current regulations and emerging technologies. The company encourages creative and innovative thinking to solve every day electrical challenges, fostering a valuesled, people-first culture built around safety, professionalism, and continuous improvement. Alongside this, Harkins & Vickers routinely strengthens its operational systems to support scalable growth, including the integration of acquired businesses. With Best Electrical Contractor 2025 & Client Satisfaction Excellence Award 2026
this approach, the company is able to grow ambitiously while retaining the quality, reliability, and professionalism its clients have come to expect. “At Harkins & Vickers Electrical Solutions, our mission is to deliver safe, high-quality, and dependable electrical services while building a business that is trusted by clients, partners, and employees alike,” stated Chris. “Alongside maintaining the highest standards of safety, compliance, and workmanship, we are also focused on strategic growth.” “At Harkins & Vickers Electrical Solutions, our mission is to deliver safe, high-quality, and dependable electric services while building a business that is trusted by clients, partners, and employees alike.” Over the next year, Harkins & Vickers aims to achieve high growth through acquisition. A key element of this strategy is to establish a larger and more prominent foothold in the commercial sector, which will enable the team to support larger, more complex projects and long-term commercial contracts. The company is currently engaged in a number of positive conversations with established electrical contractors and related organisations across Scotland, with discussions focused on building scale, broadening its service offering, and extending its geographic reach whilst maintaining the renowned customer-centricity that has earned Harkins & Vickers the Client Satisfaction Excellence Award 2026. Beyond acquisition, Harkins & Vickers also has a healthy pipeline of projects in the works that directly respond to rising demand across the commercial, compliance, and EV infrastructure sectors. These upcoming developments reflect continued investment in energy efficiency, electrification, and low-carbon technologies across Scotland. This commitment to continuous improvement and adaption in alignment with industry needs is just one of the many qualities that has earned Harkins & Vickers recognition as the Best Electrical Contractor 2025. “Our focus is on strengthening our operational foundations, expanding our commercial capability, and continuing to deliver highquality work for our existing clients,” shared Chris. “Our ambition is to grow in a sustainable and considered way, creating opportunities for our people, strengthening our position in the commercial sector, and continuing to deliver trusted, future-ready electrical solutions across Scotland and beyond.” Contact: Chris Harkins Company: Harkins & Vickers Electrical Solutions Ltd Web Address: www.harkinsandvickers.co.uk
SME News Q1 2026/ 12 Planting Strong Foundations for Sustainable Growth The Marketing Plot was established in 2023, born from a mission to help B2B businesses make sense of their marketing and use it to drive meaningful growth. The consultancy works with founders and teams who have big plans for their businesses, but are often juggling too much, questioning what is working, and wondering where to focus next. As The Marketing Plot is named in the 2026 Business Elite Awards, we caught up with Founder, Fractional CMO, and Certified Digital Marketing Leader Jess Saumarez for more information. “Marketing is serious business, but we firmly believe it shouldn’t feel overwhelming, intimidating, or painful.” Before launching The Marketing Plot, Jess Saumarez had personally built and scaled multiple businesses, experiencing first-hand the pressure, uncertainty, and complexity that stems from such growth. During this time, Jess observed the lack of clear and honest support available to growing businesses and soon found herself craving clarity over noise and practical action over polished promises. This widening gap is what ultimately led the founder to create The Marketing Plot. “We understand the pressure that comes with growth, the late-night decision-making, and the weight of getting it right,” Jess explained. “That lived experience means we show up as partners, not pundits, and we care deeply about doing the right thing for the businesses we support. We believe that clarity beats complexity every time, that marketing should always be tied back to real business outcomes, and that empathy matters just as much as expertise.” Today, The Marketing Plot deliberately sits at the intersection of being a consultancy and an in-house team. The consultancy serves as an embedded marketing leader for its clients, often acting as a fractional CMO or Head of Marketing within a growing business. Rather than handing over ideas and moving on or delivering strategy decks that simply gather dust on the shelf, The Marketing Plot brings focus, commercial thinking, and a spectrum of experience that empowers teams to feel confident in their decision-making once again. This is The Marketing Plot’s flagship offering: providing fractional CMO and outsourced Head of Marketing support for B2B businesses. This service is designed for companies who need senior marketing leadership but do not want the risk or overhead of building a full in-house function too early. Through this model, clients are provided with access to experienced strategic thinking combined with practical execution, with every element tailored to their specific stage of growth. “The real value here comes from clarity, followed by momentum,” Jess explained. “We help businesses sharpen their positioning, build go-tomarket strategies, align sales and marketing, and put strong foundations in place across content, CRM, martech, and much more. Clients often tell us that the biggest shift isn’t just better marketing output, but a greater sense of confidence. For many, it’s the first time marketing feels joined-up, purposeful, and sustainable.” Over the last year, The Marketing Plot has supported 25 businesses through its CMO subscription and other projects, mentored more than 14 startups through the SETsquared network, and delivered nine rebrands, each involving full website and messaging transformations. Alongside this, the team also launched a new content and SEO service targeting B2B businesses seeking to grow organically and has made three charity donations to environmental and social causes. Looking ahead, the team intends to challenge the misconception that marketing must be complicated, bloated, or disconnected from commercial reality. Rather than reinventing the wheel, The Marketing Plot will instead focus on raising the standard of how these services are delivered to growing businesses whilst also continuing to grow sustainably itself. The first step of this strategy is to deepen the fractional CMO model, building a trusted network of senior specialists around it. By providing clients with access to the right expertise at the right time – rather than one-size-fits-all solutions – The Marketing Plot ensures that its support remains flexible, genuinely impactful, and deserving of its recognition as the Best Strategic Marketing and Growth Consultancy 2026. At the same time, the consultancy is also focusing on helping businesses build stronger foundations. This includes clearer positioning, better alignment between sales and marketing, and smarter use of tools and data to support decision-making. As technology and AI continue to evolve, The Marketing Plot recognises that its role will lie in helping clients use these developments thoughtfully and responsibly. “We’re heading into a really exciting period, with several new partnerships starting across professional services, tech, and purposeled businesses,” Jess announced. “Across everything in the pipeline, our focus remains the same: helping ambitious businesses gain clarity, build momentum, and grow in a way that feels sustainable and human.” Contact: Jess Saumarez Company: The Marketing Plot Web Address: www.themarketingplot.com AIM-Jan26121 A
Experiences have become an increasingly important part of the outreach of brands, and be it a conference, exhibition, or brand activation event, the aim is to strike up genuine connections with an audience and add real value to the brand in the process. For the team at brand experience agency Kairos Global, it has always been about helping brands to show up in meaningful ways. Named the Best Brand Experience Agency 2026 in this feature, MD Sam Southon told us more about how Kairos achieves this aim. Kairos Global: The Brand Experience Agency Creating brand experiences that visually impress and yet are also strategically sound and well executed, Kairos Global is an agency rooted in the values its team live every day – pace, creativity with purpose, and ownership. Designing, building, and producing its creations fully in-house, what sets this independent agency apart is that it offers this combination all under one roof. This means that ideas are not diluted by third parties as they move the process, with this team able to respond to challenges or changes in a brief without losing momentum. Kairos’ creativity is bold but grounded, with its work striking a balance between being visually strong but always rooted in strategy and an understanding of what success looks like for a particular client. Rather than overcomplicating things like many agencies do, Kairos creates ideas that work hard and get through. The only way to achieve this is to work closely with its clients, and Kairos does exactly this, often serving as an extension of their teams. It is this approach which has fuelled its growth across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. At the heart of Kairos’ operation are three core services: designing and building exhibition stands, creating and producing brand activations, and delivering conferences. Exploring these in more depth, exhibition design is one of the agency’s key offerings – especially in the UK market – and see its team deliver realistic ideas in a straightforward and collaborative manner. Conference delivery, on the other hand, allows the team to cover every element of a project, ensuring clarity for the brand and cohesion for its attendees. Last but not least, we believe brand activations best encapsulate the experiential creativity Kairos is known for across this space, with the agency helping its clients to create relevant and timely activations instead of overtly theatrical ones. A great example of this was seen in 2024, when the team delivered the Hairy Harvest activation for Philips in London Fields. The idea centred around using hair as a crop fertiliser, with 69 of the 976 visitors to the activation being given a free haircut by a barber using Philips’ OneBlade 360 styler. Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks even stopped by to support this two-day activation. “Projects like this – creatively layered, unexpected and fundamentally rooted in solid execution – are the ones we find most rewarding.” In many ways, experiences like this are becoming few and far between, with the rise of consolidation in this sector seeing big groups acquiring small agencies and absorbing both their talent and capabilities. The day-to-day changes experienced as a result are striking, as maintaining consistency in these new environments is much more challenging. This shift has made Kairos’ focused independence more valuable than ever, with its small, ownerled nature offering a sense of clarity and ownership few agencies can match. Talking of Kairos’ owner, MD Sam Southon, his passion for events remains at the heart of the agency, stemming from a love of the immersive and high-pressure nature of sports. Of course, a similar passion is shared across Kairos’ entire team. As Sam explained: “We’re people who care about the craft of what we do, who enjoy the pace and the pressure, and who get real satisfaction from creating experiences that feel memorable and meaningful. That’s why this industry still excites me – no two projects are the same.” And, with more than 85 confirmed projects in the pipeline this year already, this diversity is set to be a common thread for Kairos throughout 2026 and beyond. Although these projects are under wraps for now, what Sam could tell us is that the agency is on track for another significant year of growth thanks to them, with this momentum stemming from a combination of its longstanding partners and the new relationships it is nurturing constantly. Much of this can be attributed to the hands-on approach that remains embedded in Kairos’ work. A beacon of excellence in the realm of live events production, Kairos Global – which serves as a brand activation agency, exhibition-stand builder, and conference deliverer all rolled into one – has positioned itself as a fitting recipient of both a title and a place in this feature. More on its services and past projects can be found at the link below. Contact: Sam Southon Company: Kairos Global Limited Web Address: https://www.kairosglobal.co.uk/ AIM-Jan26141
SME News Q1 2026/ 14 Prioritising the Patient Through Accessible Private Healthcare Whether through past experiences or fear for the future, hospitals can be an unnerving setting for many, and most patients wish their visit to end as soon as it begins. In fact, it is said that approximately 50% of people experience some form of fear or anxiety when visiting a hospital. Enter One Stop Healthcare, a modern, day case hospital striving to streamline the hospital experience. We learned more from Digital Content Manager Gemma Plumbridge-Scott below, as One Stop Healthcare is named in the Business Elite Awards 2026. “We understand that no one truly wants to go to a hospital, and that insight underpins our ‘One Stop’ promise: you arrive unknowing and leave with a plan, in one stop.” From its base in Hermel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, One Stop Healthcare is working hard to break down the barriers and make private healthcare easily accessible, affordable, and stress-free for all involved. It proudly operates as an independent day case hospital, with the overarching goal of evolving from a single site into a comprehensive network to achieve this vision. Aiming to disrupt the status quo in private healthcare, One Stop Healthcare blends clinical excellence with warm, human-centred hospitality. The establishment understands that there is never a convenient time to need medical assistance and has structured its operations accordingly; One Stop Healthcare operates seven days a week, with a dedicated day case hospital, same-day referrals, an onsite pharmacy, and a dedicated team of experts helping patients receive the treatment they need, fast. Community- and patient-led care lies at the very heart of One Stop Healthcare. With the core values of Safe, Proactive, and Personal guiding its operations, the team has built a strategy centred on the principle that healthcare should be accessible, empathetic, and deeply personalised to every individual. Such commitment to delivering an exceptional service every time has enabled One Stop Healthcare to gradually build its patient-base, with community trust being earned as the organisation continues to grow. “Unlike larger providers, our size is our strength,” Gemma told us. “It allows us to truly know our patients and our community, tailoring every interaction and responding quickly to feedback. From the moment a patient visits our website or steps through our doors, we ensure they feel seen, heard, and cared for as an individual.” One Stop Healthcare has made ongoing endeavours to ensure an unrivalled patient experience. In November 2025, the team introduced online booking with real-time availability, which simplifies access and reduces administrative burden. This is a rare feat for the sector; private healthcare is distinguished by providing rapid access to experts yet, traditionally, the consultant’s diary or availability is obscured. One Stop Healthcare has disrupted this industry norm by showing all available time slots for each consultant, reflecting its commitment to convenience and speed without compromising on quality. Furthermore, One Stop Healthcare has pioneered a wide range of day case surgeries for procedures that were once thought impossible, such as hip replacements. This advancement allows patients to go home the same day as their procedure, with less sedation, a faster recovery time of up to four weeks sooner, and data showing improved outcomes at home. These advancements are becoming increasingly essential to individuals across the country, as the UK’s private healthcare sector continues to undergo considerable change. NHS waiting times have become one of the biggest factors driving private healthcare demand, as millions of individuals across the country seek out faster diagnostics and treatments over long wait times and limited capacity. One Stop Healthcare has responded directly to this rising pressure. “We have strengthened our positioning around speed, accessibility, and personalised support,” said Gemma, “ensuring patients understand that private pathways offer certainty at a time when NHS delays create anxiety and disruption. We’ve also opened our doors to NHS referrals, which helps ease the burden on NHS healthcare and improves support in our community.” Since its inception, One Stop Healthcare has been relentless in its mission to reshape and redefine exceptional private healthcare. From offering personalised patient care and rapid, same-day referrals to relieving pressure on the NHS and pioneering treatment processes, the team has certainly made significant strides to creating an accessible and empathetic sector for patients from all walks of life. With building works underway to expand its current site and a second hospital site being announced imminently, we at SME News have no doubt that One Stop Healthcare will continue to exemplify its status as the Best Private Day Case Hospital 2026. Contact: Gemma Plumbridge-Scott Company: One Stop Healthcare Web Address: www.onestophospital.co.uk AIM-Jan26251
At Me & Spirit Creative, the aim is to support passion-driven small businesses as they build brands that capture their personality and the personal stories behind their work. Specialising in brand strategy for creative businesses, Tanya brings creativity, individuality, connection, joy, and kindness to the table for her clients, helping to slow things down and create spaces for their brands to be thoughtful and expressive – without losing the passion and warmth small businesses rely on to drive results. Tanya works with thoughtful, growth-stage founders who have built something meaningful and now want a brand that truly reflects the level they’re operating at. There are no quick fixes or surface-level brandings here, and Me & Spirit Creative is attracted to projects with those businesses which are creatively curious and refuse to be boxed in or flattened into something generic. What follows is a hands-on, collaborative approach to their strategy and identity design, with Tanya working alongside the client to shape their growing brand. “Whilst many marketing experts tell them to ‘pick a niche’, I help them join the dots between all their different ideas – not by insisting they ‘pick one thing’ but by finding the connecting thread that actually holds it all together.” As for how Me & Spirit Creative achieves the outcomes it does across brand storytelling and creative direction, its success is anchored around its flagship Brand Glow-Up, a strategy-led branding package designed for established creative businesses which have outgrown their DIY brand and seek something reflective of their direction and ambition. Tanya also offers a 12-month brand and creative partnership, where she supports direction long term rather through a chain of disconnected projects. Sharing just one example of how this translates to success for clients, Tanya told us about one of her favourite projects to date, her work with 12 Bar Music and Social, a coffee and record shop in the heart of Exeter. This unique brand is a perfect example of what can be achieved when Tanya works closely with a founder who is both connected to their vision and willing to collaborate. The result for this concept store is a truly authentic personality, and it is this which has fuelled its growth and resulted in a local award. Of course, this is just the beginning, as the nature of Me & Spirit Creative means that Tanya is working across industries, something she today views as one of her key strengths. Tanya explained: “It allows me to bring fresh thinking, unexpected references, and new perspectives to each project, rather than repeating the same formulas.” Such a practice is becoming more important than ever, with the rise of AI and automation seeing creative output being undervalued and treated as something quick and disposable. With AI tools able to produce a logo or a block of website copy in seconds, being able to craft a brand that actually works and has personality and longevity is a skill that really stands out. And as the backlash to ‘AI slop’ continues to grow, the desire for the exact opposite – human thinking and real brands – is back in a big way. This has proven beneficial for Tanya, who has doubled down on what makes Me & Spirit Creative valuable by deepening the way branding supports real businesses over time. On the back of this, the future is bright for the UK’s best strategic branding studio, with a number of projects in the pipeline Tanya is genuinely excited about. Alongside this, Tanya is exploring new ways of supporting growing brands in what is a natural next step, even offering self-paced courses for businesses in need of brand DIY-ing. Renowned as the studio where work feels considered, personal, and genuinely useful, Me & Spirit Creative encourages small businesses to harness their creativity, not dismiss it. This guiding belief is reflected across its work, resulting in the creation of real identities and meaningful success stories. For this, we are delighted to recognise Me & Spirit Creative as the Best Small Business Brand Strategy & Design Studio 2026. Contact: Tanya Rodgers Company: Me & Spirit Creative Web Address: https://www.meandspirit.co.uk/ For business owners who have evolved and experimented, it can be disheartening when their brands do not capture the depth, craft, or intention of their work. After all, taking the essence of a brand and expressing it through words and visuals is not easy, especially when ideas, projects, and ambitions are all being juggled. Recognising this challenge, Me & Spirit Creative, recognised here as the Best Small Business Brand Strategy & Design Studio 2026, helps people to shape the brands they stand behind. Tanya Rodgers, the woman at the helm, caught up with us for more. Brand Strategy and Identity Design for Small Businesses AIS-Jan26219
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