SME News Q4 2025 Most Positive Dog Training & Behavioural Services 2025 – UK There are many companies out there that offer dog training, but few which take the kind of bespoke, in-depth approach made famous by Four Paws Training. Guided by the recognition that every dog – and owner – is different, the company matches them all to one of its carefully vetted trainers, whose experience and dedication is certain to result in lasting changes in a dog’s behaviour. Paul Ives, the man at the helm, was on hand to share his thoughts as we profile this needle-moving dog training business. Centelli: AI Wizards, Automation Ninjas, Data Mavericks
Editors Letter Phone: 0203 970 0018 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 Q4 2025 edition of SME News magazine, where we provide you with all the latest news, announcements, and features about some of the best up-and-coming enterprises around the United Kingdom. Covering a wide array of award-winning SMEs and featuring advice from a HR thought leader, this quarter’s contribution to the corporate landscape delivers the best of the best to motivate, inspire, and inform. Our cover feature, Four Paws Training is a highly reputable dog training company which is truly devoted to transforming the lives of dogs and their families. The business, under the guidance of Paul Ives, has come so far in the space of only two years and we’re proud to present the award of Most Positive Dog Training & Behavioural Services 2025 – UK to such a dedicated business. We’re proud to present this quarter’s issue and we look forward to welcoming you back for more in Q1 of 2026.
Contents 5. News- Two-thirds of UK SMBs lack actionable cybersecurity strategies despite growing threats 7. How HR Leaders Can Take Action to Support People in Crisis 8. Four Paws Training: Most Positive Dog Training & Behavioural Services 2025 – UK 12. Tanya’s Cleaners: Cleaning & Maintenance MD of the Year 2025: Stanka Grudeva- Marinova & Business Leadership & Dedication Excellence Award 2025 13. Smile Care Agency: The Ultimate Home Care Solution 14. Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home: A Beautiful Care Home in the Countryside 15. Digital Skills Mastery: Best Digital Skills Training & Development Company 2025 16. Frocester Security: Fire & Security Services MD of the Year 2025: Stephen Taylor 17. Desert Island Events: Nationwide Creative Events Agency of the Year 2025 18. Profit First Pro Consultants Ltd: Best Business Profitability Coach 2025: Jason Withers 20. Tuckam Care Ltd: Cost-Effective, Holistic Care, Built Around You 21. 100 Brix: Best Science-Led Executive Coaching Consultancy 2025 22. NICS Wellbeing C.I.C: Mental Health Support Organisation of the Year 2025 – West Midlands & Most Empowering Wellbeing Organisation Founder 2025: Sabrina Ellis 23. Tamar Landscapes Ltd: Commercial Landscapers of the Year 2025 – South Cornwall 24. Phoenix Sustainable Investment Holdings: Best Sustainable Energy Projects Developer 2025 27. BIOHEALTH Holistic Dentistry: Best Holistic Dentistry Practice 2025 – London 28. Revive Roofing: Impeccable Quality Through and Through 29. Grace Hair: Devon’s Best Hair Salon 30. Ways for Wellbeing UK CIC: Wellbeing Support in the West Midlands 31. Ruislip Ear Care: Best Ear Wax Removal Specialists 2025 – London & Patient Care Excellence Award 2025 32. Cornerstone VR: VR Films Highlighting the Impact of Trauma on Children 33. Nant Y Mynydd Water Coolers: Award Winning Family Business 34. KBH Haus: Housing Maintenance Contractor of the Year 2025 35. CornerStone Developments Southwest Ltd: Excellence Award for Bespoke Property Developments 2025 – South West England 36. Broadstone Risk: Most Trusted Security & Intelligence Service 2025 37. Ronins: At the Heart of Digital Empowerment 38. Data Mastery Lab: Best Data Engineering & AI Training Platform 2025 – London 39. DJ Assembly Ltd: Your Trusted Electronic Manufacturing Partner 40. RJJ Software: Turning Vision into Reality 42. Landbeasts Automobile Classica: Superior Classic Car Service 43. Clever Clicks Digital: Your Dedicated Digital Partner 44. Vendula London Ltd: Quirky, Original Fashion Accessories with a Cruelty-Free Undercurrent 45. Jamie Lloyd Pain Relief Clinic: Turning Pain into Purpose 46. eurochange Ltd: 50 Years of Market-Leading Currency Exchange 47. Sound Financial: Financial Planning That Puts People First 48. Centelli: AI Wizards, Automation Ninjas, Data Mavericks 50. Brookeland Coaching: Empowering the VFX, Film, and TV Industry 51. Reflex Consultancy: Unlock Your Brand’s Amazon Potential 52. VIN Chip Ltd: Theft Prevention with Advanced Technology 53. Green Key Personal Development: Balance, Growth, Development, Wellbeing 54. Re-Source Waste Management Ltd: Simplifying Waste Management For All 55. Nailology: Best Luxury Nail Care Experience 2025 56. Eley Hawk Ltd: Shooting Sports Ammunition MD of the Year 2025: Rodrigo Crespo & Business Leadership & Dedication Excellence Award 2025 58. Elevate – Business Development Services: Elevate Your Brand with Strategy and Clarity 59. Cox Lewis Hearing: The Gold Standard for Hearing Restoration and Protection 60. GMR Couriers Ltd: Most Trusted Nationwide Courier Company 2025 – South West England 61. Woodland: Best Estate & Lettings Agency 2025 – East London 62. Freckleton Brown: Best Independent Estate & Lettings Agency 2025 – Nottinghamshire 64. Trust Utility Management: Most Trusted Utility Provider 2025 65. DW Groundworks Ltd: Best Groundworks Company 2025 – Cornwall
SME News Q4 2022/ 4ews Contents 66. 3sixfive: Year-Round Reputation Management for Leading Brands 67. Eleven Builders Ltd: Renovations, Extensions, and Residential Construction in Gloucestershire
Two-thirds of UK SMBs lack actionable cybersecurity strategies despite growing threats Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across the UK are struggling to turn cybersecurity plans into practice, according to new research from Kaspersky. The findings reveal that 67% of UK SMBs lack fully actionable cybersecurity strategies, with many acknowledging a gap between their theoretical plans and real-world implementation. This shortfall leaves a majority of businesses vulnerable to an increasingly sophisticated cyber threat landscape. The research also highlights a disconnect between executives and IT leaders on the importance of cybersecurity. Nearly a quarter (22%) of IT leaders say that C-level executives in their organizations do not fully understand the strategic value of cybersecurity, slowing progress towards effective, organisation-wide protection. Despite these obstacles, many SMBs recognize the need for outside expertise. More than a third (38%) are now seeking external cybersecurity partners who can help build long-term, sustainable protection strategies. Rather than relying on ad hoc solutions, SMBs increasingly want trusted partners who can provide continuous awareness training, immediate incident response and transparent advice. “Cybersecurity can’t remain a theoretical exercise,” said Oscar Suela, Kaspersky general manager, Iberia, UK & Ireland. “The findings show that while many SMBs have wellintentioned strategies, these often stay on paper. To close the gap, organisations must turn plans into action, embed security into everyday operations, and ensure leadership and IT are fully aligned in their approach.” To help businesses strengthen their cyber resilience, Kaspersky recommends: • Turning plans into action: Implement practical, measurable security measures that are fully integrated into daily operations. • Investing in awareness and education: Empower employees through ongoing cybersecurity training to reduce human error and insider risk. • Embedding cybersecurity into business culture: Treat security as a fundamental part of operations, not just an IT responsibility. Kaspersky offers dedicated solutions to support SMBs in building stronger defences. For instance, for very small businesses that do not have an IT administrator, Kaspersky Small Office Security offers hands-off protection through its “install and forget” setup, whereas Kaspersky Next combines strong endpoint protection with EDR and XDR capabilities, giving businesses of any size and industry the tools to detect, investigate and respond to threats in real time. For this survey Kaspersky commissioned Arlington Research to carry out an online selfcomplete survey with decision makers whose role involves cybersecurity in a significant way, working for organisations with less than 500 employees in Europe and Africa in August and September 2025. Arlington conducted a total of 820 interviews with this audience (Europe: 600; Africa: 280; 60 interviews each: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Cameroon; 20 interviews each: Senegal and Ivory Coast).
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Feature One in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, according to the Office for National Statistics. Despite these figures, only 5 per cent of UK employers have a policy to support staff dealing with this issue. I was one of those statistics. For years, I lived in silence, afraid to tell anyone what was really happening behind closed doors. The abuse wasn’t only physical – it was emotional, psychological and financial. It crept in gradually until I no longer recognised myself. My confidence, independence and voice were stripped away. Like many others in the same situation, I didn’t know how to ask for help or who to turn to. I now share my experience to help change the way we talk about domestic abuse in the workplace and, more importantly, to show how HR leaders can take real action to support people in crisis. Domestic abuse doesn’t stay at home. It touches every part of life, and work is no exception. It affects attendance, performance, morale and mental health. It can force people to choose between their safety and their job, or between protecting their children and maintaining a source of income. In moments of crisis, an effective workplace policy can make all the difference. In some cases, it can even be the difference between life and death. A domestic abuse policy should be more than just words on a page. It’s a signal that an organisation is serious about creating a safe, compassionate workplace. It tells employees: you are not alone, and we will support you. This support doesn’t have to be complicated. It might mean paid time off to attend legal appointments or find housing, flexible hours or shift patterns, or helping someone redirect their salary into a different bank account to build financial independence. Providing references for new accommodation or access to counselling can also make a huge impact. These small but vital measures can help someone begin to regain control. Some organisations are already leading the way. At Avon and Somerset Police, the internal domestic abuse pledge guarantees staff they will be listened to, believed and supported. The organisation offers emergency accommodation with no questions asked, paid leave and informal support groups. These actions may seem simple, but they send a clear and powerful message: your safety and wellbeing matter here. Any organisation, no matter its size or sector, can implement a meaningful policy. Employees need to know who they can talk to in confidence whether that’s a trained manager, someone from HR or a wellbeing champion. Managers should be trained to recognise signs of abuse, which are not always physical. Anxiety, withdrawal or frequent absences may be indicators. Recognising these patterns can lead to crucial conversations. Offering paid leave, making flexible working How HR Leaders Can Take Action to Support People in Crisis Cheryl Sharp, CEO, Domestic Abuse Advocate & Speaker arrangements and ensuring safety at work through secure entry systems or co-working space access are just some of the ways employers can create safer environments. Abuse often includes financial control, and employers can help by directing pay to a separate account or offering short-term financial support. But policies alone are not enough. They need to be supported by a workplace culture grounded in trust, empathy and confidentiality. HR leaders must model this. Listening is essential. When someone speaks up, don’t try to fix everything immediately, ask what they need, agree on next steps, and act quickly. Review your policies regularly and involve employees in shaping them so they stay effective and relevant. Partnering with organisations like the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse can provide expert guidance, training and useful resources to support your efforts. Domestic abuse is not just a private matter, it’s a workplace issue that affects productivity, wellbeing and, above all, lives. HR leaders have a unique opportunity to make a real difference. A clear, thoughtful policy backed by genuine support can help someone feel safe enough to take the first step toward freedom. This is not a ‘nice to have’, it’s essential. The cost of doing nothing is too great and the impact of getting it right can be life-changing.
SME News Q4 2022/ 8 Most Positive Dog Training & Behavioural Services 2025 – UK There are many companies out there that offer dog training, but few which take the kind of bespoke, in-depth approach made famous by Four Paws Training. Guided by the recognition that every dog – and owner – is different, the company matches them all to one of its carefully vetted trainers, whose experience and dedication is certain to result in lasting changes in a dog’s behaviour. Paul Ives, the man at the helm, was on hand to share his thoughts as we profile this needle-moving dog training business. Owning a dog is an amazing thing. To welcome these adorable creatures into the home is to make a friend for life, with the loyalty, enthusiasm, and boundless joy that dogs embody on a daily basis making them valued members of any family or household. Of course, as with any member of the family, it is important to recognise that there are downs as well as ups, and that dog ownership is about much more than just cuddles and photoshoots. Dogs need boundaries and support like children do, and this is where Four Paws Training comes in. Based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, but serving clients from across the UK, the aim of this company is to ensure that dogs and their owners have the best possible lives together. It does this through the provision of bespoke, high-quality training programmes available for all breeds and spanning every training need. Led by Director Paul Ives, who has been here since day one, the company boasts an expansive network of trainers from across the UK, with each trainer possessing their own speciality area to ensure the best outcomes are achieved. Before diving into the specifics of Four Paws Training’s services, it pays to go back to the very beginning – January 2023 – to appreciate just how far the business has come in less than three years. Initially, it was just Paul and one trainer, with only London and the immediate surrounding areas being covered. However, as a result of strong testimonials and word-of-mouth recommendations, the company quickly expanded. Today, the entirety of the UK is covered by nine expert trainers, each more knowledgeable and dedicated than the last. “We have a team of trainers who all specialise in different areas of dog behaviour. This enables us to match trainers to dogs and make sure they have the best they can get. We then support our trainers with personal development and extra qualifications.” Across this network, the emphasis is simply on guidance for dogs and owners, with the
company helping them to overcome some of the most common behaviour problems our four-legged friends face, resulting in a happy, well-integrated pet. Some of the most frequent concerns it handles are socialisation difficulties (fear or reactivity), issues with toilet training, managing aggression, easing separation anxiety, and establishing more general routines. More than the behaviours it tackles, what sets Four Paws Training apart in the realm of residential dog training the results it gets, as well as exactly how it gets them. All of this premium training is dog-centric, having been designed to nurture happy and healthy dogs who learn obedience via positive and effective methods. As for how exactly this is achieved, the expert, local dog trainer that a customer is assigned will have the dog at their home, delivering a true home-from-home experience that is free of any stressful kennels. Going through the process in a bit more detail, it all begins by a dog owner in need of a helping hand filling out the booking form on the company website, which can be found here. All they need to provide are a few simple details about themselves and their dog’s behaviour. From here, a member of the team will be in touch to discuss their concerns, asking further questions to come up with a plan and help assign the right trainer for their dog. This reflects the fully bespoke nature of the training, which is tailored to every dog’s personality. Training then officially begins with a level of convenience that is indicative of the company as a whole, this with a complimentary pick-up service that sees the trainer visit the home of the owner and meet the dog, before taking them back to their house for the training to begin. Once a dog is in the hands of one of these competent trainers, they will be treated to a holistic training approach that results in improved behaviour and a stronger bond with their owner. These training sessions then usually last between two and four weeks at a time. Over the course of their dog’s training, owners can expect to receive video ‘pupdates’ on a daily basis via a private family WhatsApp group, allowing them to see the progress their pup is making first-hand. This helps to build a sense of trust between the owner and the trainer, something Four Paws Training recognises is crucial for success. After all, dogs are more than just pets, and parting with them for a few weeks can be a really difficult thing to do. However, as the owners will see in these videos, every trainer representing Four Paws Training does their job with compassion, leveraging only the most positive and ethical methods (usually reward-based training) to achieve the intended results. By offering effective outcomes without harsh fear/intimidation, these dedicated trainers show their talent and nurture their affinity for animals – two further distinguishing factors of this team. Once the training is complete, the trainer will take the dog back to their owner, providing them with a detailed handover session that goes through the successful techniques and explains how the owner and the rest of their household (if applicable) can make the
SME News Q4 2022/ 10 transition smooth and ensure these positive behaviours continue. Things do not end there, as Four Paws Training prides itself on providing ongoing guidance once training is completed, with its trainers being just a message away to help keep things moving on the right track. Having described the process – which is largely the same across all of its provisions – it is now time to take a deep dive into the specifics of the dog training programmes delivered by Four Paws Training. Whilst it is true that they are all bespoke and tailored around each dog, the programmes offered consist of three main categories: Puppy School, Advanced Board & Train, and Rehabilitation. In this way, the team here cover all bases of dog training. Beginning with the Puppy School, this twoweek programme is centred around basic obedience and can be partaken in by dogs under a year old. Designed to instil essential behaviours in every dog as they grow and develop, this comprehensive training programme covers potty and crate training, socialising with other dogs and humans, manners when greeting, managing puppy biting, walking to heal on a lead, basic recall, and commands such as sit and stay. This is just the beginning, with much more covered in these two weeks. Any dog that is six months old or above can be signed up for the customised, three-week Advanced Board & Train programme that Four Paws Training offers. Designed for those canines who already possess the fundamentals taught in Puppy School, this next-level option has been meticulously created to take the skills of a dog above and beyond. Examples of the things taught in these sessions are recall with distractions and walking to heel off a lead. One of the key things of note about this particular programme is its flexibility, meaning that it is able to be customised to accommodate dogs with mild anxiety issues. The result is a bespoke, stress-free learning experience for the pups, and the remarkable transformations that occur as a result of them is a testament to the skill inherent throughout this business. Last but not least, Four Paws Training delivers a four-week Rehabilitation programme for aggression and anxiety in dogs. Targeting these behaviours by getting to the root of the issue, this provision – perhaps more than any other – fosters fantastic relationships between dogs and owners. Over the course of what can only be described as a ‘transformative journey’, these exemplary dog trainers tackle human and dog aggression alike, creating a holistic solution that can be employed alongside close collaboration withs owner themselves. “We strive to give the best possible training services to all of our clients, enabling them to build lifelong bonds with their dogs.” The quality of these three programmes is reflected in the success stories boasted across all of them, with dogs of many breeds and with a number of different issues coming out the other side truly transformed. One example is Campo, a two-year-old labrador-greyhound cross who suffered with anxiety before he attended Four Paws Training’s four-week Rehabilitation programme less than years ago. Today, he is like a different dog, with no anxious tendencies to speak of. His owners had this to say in an abridged five-star review of the company: “We cannot recommend Four Paws Training enough. We sent our two-year old rescue dog, Campo, who was reactive to nearly everything – people, cars, and other dogs. He went to Steve and Tristan who both worked so hard in the four weeks they had him on those issues. We got daily videos of him which reassured us that he was happy
with them and also means we can look back at them for tips on how to continue the training now we have him home.” They added: “A five-star review is not enough for this company and everyone in it.” Another dog who overcame his anxiety with Four Paws Training – this time with its threeweek Advanced Board & Train programme – is Titch, an XL Bully. Although not the type of breed that would usually be associated with anxiety, Titch was only six months old when she visited one of the company’s star trainers, who took her under their wing and taught her how to not only overcome her anxiety, but also to improve her skills more generally. Recounting Titch’s experience with the training, Wayne, her owner, wrote: “We are absolutely delighted with the service we received from Steve and the team. Titch was very fearful and anxious of the world around her. Steve and his team have worked miracles. We received daily updates on her progress and tips for us to follow on her return. I walked Titch today following her training and the improvement was amazing.” Clearly, as these testimonials highlight, the programmes delivered by the awardwinning trainers behind Four Paws Training have a tremendous, lasting impact on dogs, driving positive behaviours and ensuring they overcome any of the issues they face with their temperaments. On the back of this, it is our pleasure to recognise this leading residential dog trainer as the Most Positive Dog Training & Behavioural Services 2025 – UK, only adding to the acclaim it has received over the past few years of its quality training programmes. More information on any of the provisions mentioned above can be found by following the website link below, which goes directly to the Four Paws Training website. Contact: Paul Ives Company: Four Paws Training Web Address: www.fourpawstraining.uk/
SME News Q4 2025/ 12 Cleaning & Maintenance MD of the Year 2025: Stanka GrudevaMarinova & Business Leadership & Dedication Excellence Award 2025 Trying to find the time to clean and maintain either your own home or a property you let can be a real challenge, with these tedious tasks being both repetitive and getting in the way of spending time with loved ones. Recognising this, Stanka Grudeva-Marinova – aka ‘Tanya Grude’ – created Tanya’s Cleaners, a local, family-owned business that has been cleaning in and around Eastleigh for over 15 years. As the recipient of two awards in this feature, we sat down with Tanya for more. For more than 15 years, Tanya’s inspiration and commitment have both revolved around providing the very best for her clients. She constantly seeks out opportunities for innovation, such as implementing ecocleaning systems like the Rainbow System and steam solutions for floors, bathrooms, and kitchens. Along with her team at Tanya’s Cleaners, Tanya also utilises professional-grade cleaning products to continuously enhance the service provided. “What has always driven me is the desire to give more than is expected and to be the very best”, Tanya told us. “My dedication, ambition, and passion push me to aim higher, both personally and in business. I also work extensively on my mindset, which allows me to expand my vision and pursue business opportunities.” This translates to a duo of core values – dedication and hard work – embodied not only in Tanya herself, but across the whole business. Tanya added: “My mission is not only to grow my own business but also to contribute to transforming the cleaning industry itself – making it a sector that people both aspire to invest in and seek to develop. That’s why I launched my franchise project, aimed at supporting those interested in entering this field.” Describing this as the ‘project of her life’, Tanya’s journey into coaching and mentoring was a natural one – stemming from her knowledge, experience, and the years of hard work she put in. Inspiring new business talents in the cleaning industry is something Tanya does with great passion, and she has embarked on this adventure specifically because she wants to see new talent and success emerge in a sector that – somewhat ironically – needs a refresh. “The cleaning industry deserves attention, investment, and – above all – innovation. It needs a fresh perspective and a break from outdated ways of thinking. I am inspired to contribute to that transformation.” From early on in her career, Tanya has sought to lead with love and create a family environment where everyone can find support, understanding, and the confidence to grow. Whilst she had to wear every hat herself at the beginning of her journey, the evolution of her brand over the last 15 years means she is today in a position to be able to trust her people and delegate effectively. “You cannot climb to the top alone”, Tanya commented. “To build an empire and achieve your dreams, you need specialists by your side. Thus, when it comes to expanding the team behind Tanya’s Cleaners, Tanya no longer looks for just ‘cleaners’ or ‘additions’ – she seeks business partners with whom mutual growth can be achieved. Moreover, as the company’s MD, Tanya also makes sure to treat people with patience and trust, and she is always there to support and teach when necessary. Staff should, however, be aware of Tanya’s golden rule: she does not compromise. Giving her all and working with both respect and dedication, Tanya expects the same back. “I don’t compete with anyone else – my goal is to be better than I was yesterday. To learn and to take action. That’s how I grow and achieve results.” Guided by the belief that when you trust yourself and are grateful then the universe will reward you with more, Tanya’s operations have experienced sustainable growth over the years – from her cleaning business to her franchising, coaching, and training programmes. The aim long term is to share what she has learned with audiences across borders, helping others to achieve their own goals whilst also pioneering across the space. Redefining what ‘cleaning’ means by employing a thorough, full-service approach to her work, Tanya – or the ‘Cleaning Success Architect’ – helps design the systems, strategy, and mindset people need to find success and innovate in this industry, all whilst operating a highly successful cleaning company in its own right. For striking the perfect balance across both of these settings, it is our pleasure to recognise Tanya with these two awards. Contact: Stanka Grudeva-Marinova (Tanya Grude) Company: Tanya’s Cleaners Web Address: https://tanyascleaners.co.uk/ Tanya’s Cleaners
Smile Care Agency is an innovative platform and app designed to connect clients with self-employed carers providing a range of home care services, creating a positive experience for both client and care professional. Its mission is to provide high-quality care that empowers individuals and improves their quality of life. Recognised as our Best Specialist Home Care Service Provider 2025 - North East England, we learn more about Smile Care Agency’s award-winning offering. The Ultimate Home Care Solution Smile Care Agency exists to make poor experiences within the care industry a thing of the past – including low carer pay, high staff turnover, and insufficient capacity to meet client needs. The agency provides easy access to fully vetted and insured care professionals, bringing complete choice and control to clients when it comes to their care. Carers are thoroughly vetted, including DBS checks and right-towork verification, as well as having completed a robust process before verified to use their platform. They are also covered by public liability insurance, providing complete peace of mind. Smile Care Agency isn’t your typical care provider – It has recognised the potential of mobile technology to transform the social care sector. Instead of sticking to the traditional model, its website and app allow clients to directly search for, vet, and hire a carer whom they feel will best fit their specific needs and personality. This can be done by filtering according to a carer’s experience, location, skills, and specialisations like dementia or autism care. The service available on the platform is both flexible and quick, allowing the booking of care even at short notice, which is particularly beneficial for situations like last-minute respite care, hospital discharge, or covering an existing carer’s absence. Because Smile Care Agency allows clients to hire self-employed carers directly, this means its fees are typically lower than those of a traditional agency, and the carers receive a significantly higher percentage of the fee. Thus, clients can maximise their budget and potentially get more hours of care for the same cost. This is while the platform and app simplify the administration side, handling invoicing, secure payments, and service agreements to streamline the process for both client and carer. Underscoring the agency's offering are core values represented by the acronym, ‘SMILE’: ‘Supporting’, ‘Meaningful’, ‘Individual’, ‘Leadership’, and ‘Empathetic’. ‘Supporting’ reflects its dedication to its clients’ independence and to its team members’ professional growth to achieve the highest standard of care; ‘Meaningful’ is about striving to make every interaction and experience meaningful for clients, whether by listening to their stories, respecting their interests, or helping them maintain connections within their community; ‘Individual’ means it understands that everyone’s needs are different and the importance of tailoring care to ensure these are met, overall respecting the client’s right to self-determination, privacy, and individuality; ‘Leadership’, encouraging care professionals to take initiative and office team to guide carers to ensure accountability and excellent service; and ‘Empathetic’, which is at the heart of its work, aiming to understand and share the feelings of clients and colleagues to provide compassionate and thoughtful care. Smile Care Agency’s offering is exceptional, but don’t just take our word for it – We hear from one of its clients, who rated their experience highly enough. One person shares, “I am so grateful for the professional service you provided for my dad; you have been so professional, very caring staff, and reliable. It was just unfortunate that Covid took him quick; your staff were so dedicated all the way through. Thank you so much. What could I have done surely without your service? I would definitely recommend your organisation.” Smile Care Agency will continue to disrupt the home care sector by using cutting-edge technology to create a more efficient and fairer marketplace for both clients and carers. It has outlined strategic goals for the next five years, these being centred around empowering carers and building a stronger workforce through fairer pay and better conditions, professional development, and autonomy and control; enhancing client experience and personalising care by giving them choice and control and providing them with a service that is flexible, trustworthy, and high-quality; and expanding reach and impact by investing in technology and forming strategic partnerships with public health organisations such as the NHS and local authorities. Ultimately, the goal for Smile Care Agency is to ensure that “no one goes without care” – and it is doing so to the most excellent of standards. We are pleased to be celebrating the agency as it continues to make outstanding care accessible and affordable for everyone who needs it. Company name: Smile Care Agency Email: [email protected] Website: www.smilecareagency.com Tel: 0191 406 2679
SME News Q4 2025/ 14 A Beautiful Care Home in the Countryside The place where care meets caring, Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home in Barley, Hertfordshire, is a family-run care home set in two acres of beautiful grounds and housed in a peaceful village. Well established in the local community as a result of it being founded back in 1971, the legacy Margaret House boasts is just one of the reasons behind its recognition here as the Best Family-Operated Dementia Care Home 2025 – Hertfordshire. Samantha Adby, Margaret House’s Home Services Manager, told us how it sets the gold standard for care homes in the region. When the Kelly Family opened Margaret House almost 55 years ago, the aim was simply to provide impeccable care to every resident, treating them all as if they were a beloved member of their own family. Whilst a lot has changed over the past five decades – ownership is now into the second generation of the Kelly Family – one thing that has not changed is this ethos, which ensures that the happiness and wellbeing of the residents take priority. This all starts with the provision of 24/7 residential and dementia care for elderly individuals in the area. Personalising its care to the requirements of every individual, Margaret House is proud to offer respite and convalescence stays as well as permanent, long-term care for those in need. Regardless of the duration of a stay, the team here specialise in care with a luxury touch, leading to many seeing the property as their ‘home away from home’. Friends and relatives are welcome at all times and can stay for lunch or dinner, as well as participate in any of the wellbeing-focused activities that take place across the home daily. “We provide heartfelt, person-centred support that celebrates individuality and enhances quality of life.” The dedication to providing residents with an active, fulfilling life is something the team here do not take lightly, recognising just how big the decision to move into care is for an individual and their family. It is for this reason that every area covered by the dedicated team, from housekeeping to catering, is subject to the high standards and pursuit of ‘everyday excellence’ that has defined Margaret House now since the days when classic rock ‘n’ roll still ruled the airwaves. Nowhere are these high standards better seen than across the variety of facilities encompassed within Margaret House, including a café area, a hair salon and nail bar, a social hub, a skype lounge, a conservatory/atrium, assisted bath/shower rooms, and the lovely one and a half acres of garden surrounding residents on all sides. Alongside these spaces, provisions including a breakfast that is prepared freshly to order, daily afternoon tea, and even flat-screen TVs and in-room Wi-Fi further boost Margaret House’s premium status. Of course, all of these provisions would be nothing without the dedicated team members behind them ensuring that every resident's individual needs are taken care of on a daily basis. The blend of younger and more seasoned talent across these staff is another distinguishing point, with this dynamic mix ensuring a modern approach but one that is underpinned by decades of first-hand experience from people working at the top of this game. This even extends beyond care itself, with Catering Manager John having previously operated three local, ‘foodie’ pubs. As a result, John and the rest of the team not only deliver fresh, nutritious, tasty meals made with high-quality ingredients all year round, they also partner up with Social and Wellbeing Manager Lea-Ann Smith to organise food-themed events on special occasions. These include BBQs, ‘Pie and a Pint’ days, as well as big celebrations for Christmas, Easter, and the very popular monthly supper club. The synergy present across these two managers is just the tip of the iceberg and is conducive to an atmosphere of collaboration and alignment running throughout this care home. “We work together as one team, staff and management, creating a supportive, positive environment where everyone is encouraged to achieve their potential.” It is also thanks to the team here that the property itself – which is made up of a former rectory as well as an adjacent, purpose-built wing, giving a total of 43 mostly en-suite bedrooms – is constantly undergoing decoration and refurbishment. The latest room to receive this treatment was the lounge, which one resident even said was so impressive that it should be entered into a local or national competition as the best care home lounge! Whilst we cannot comment on the lounge in particular, we are delighted to crown Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home the Best Family-Operated Dementia Care Home 2025 – Hertfordshire, celebrating the family values it continues to uphold. Contact: Samantha Adby Company: Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home Web Address: https://margarethouse.co.uk/
The UK is facing a critical digital skills crisis, with more than 52% of working-age adults unable to complete all 20 basic digital tasks essential for work. This challenge is compounded by a fragmented adult skills supply system with regular policy changes that many organisations struggle to navigate. Enter Digital Skills Mastery, which exists to close this skills gap and equip individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital world with confidence. DSM provides product management consultancy to B2B, B2C, ecommerce, SaaS, and startup organisations, helping them build product strategy and architecture, define roadmaps and backlogs, and deliver products by working directly with their internal teams. Over the past twelve years, the company has expanded its offering to include instructor-led product management training for both corporate product teams and individual digital professionals seeking career advancement. Over the last three years, DSM has launched a subscription platform where digital product professionals can register for free to join a thriving learning community or subscribe through DSM Pro to access short courses, videos, and interactive sessions alongside fellow professionals. Most recently, DSM launched its flagship training programme, the AI-powered Product Management Certification (AIPMC™), designed to train digital product professionals not only in using AI tools but also in thinking and working as AI-powered professionals capable of leveraging AI technology to create genuine digital products through innovation. “We train professionals to move beyond surface-level adoption of AI tools. The real competitive edge comes from building products that utilise AI to create meaningful, lasting value for end-users.” As Onkar explains, the industry has become “saturated with a lot of noise and impetus on learning the plethora of AI tools”. He continues, “We want to bust the myth that just learning how to use AI tools is sufficient for your product career. You need to start thinking like an AI-powered product professional, understanding how to leverage AI technology that will enhance your digital product and service, how to architect your product so end customers benefit from the innovative features or insightful content that your product offers.” As a DSM candidate, individuals have direct access to Onkar and Himani as lead trainers who bring depth, consistency, and practical knowledge to every programme. These programmes are designed in bite-sized modules so busy professionals can fit learning around daily commitments, making content digestible while building momentum alongside day-to-day work. DSM also offers unique pricing that reflects country-based salaries and purchasing power, acknowledging that education should be accessible to talented professionals regardless of geographic location. "Our award-winning approach is designed not just to inform, but to equip professionals to lead, deliver, and innovate in high-impact roles," states Himani. "This flows from our motto of 'Maximise Your Career Potential, Prepare for Digital Transformation'. Our team works with a philosophy of serving our customers to help them attain their maximum potential, whether that's an individual product professional or an entire team within an organisation." So, how do Onkar, Himani, and their team plan to continue innovating into the future? For the remainder of 2025, they will be launching the AIPMC™ programme across the UK, Europe, India, and Nigeria, alongside delivering live webinar series every month to raise awareness about upskilling in the AI era. In 2026, DSM plans to expand its B2B work by partnering with organisations to train their product teams on leveraging AI concepts and tools within their specific products and markets. The company also aims to establish partnerships with business schools offering Management and MBA degrees, ensuring the next generation of professionals enters the job market equipped with relevant AI knowledge and practical expertise that dramatically improves their career prospects. If you are interested in upskilling with Digital Skills Mastery, please visit the company website for more information. Company name: Digital Skills Mastery Contact name: Himani Tiwary & Onkar Singh Lohtham Email: [email protected], [email protected] Website: www.digitalskillsmastery.com Founded in 2013 and led by Himani Tiwary and Onkar Singh Lohtham, Digital Skills Mastery (DSM) is a consulting, training, coaching, and professional development organisation dedicated to empowering digital product professionals to lead in the AI era. With over 35 years of combined hands-on experience delivering multi-millionpound products for Barclays, WGSN, GfK, GlobalData, and Reed.co.uk across 12 industry verticals, and operating under the motto 'Maximise Your Career Potential, Prepare for Digital Transformation', we explore how this awardwinning organisation is transforming professionals and businesses to navigate the digital future. Best Digital Skills Training & Development Company 2025
SME News Q4 2025/ 16 Fire & Security Services MD of the Year 2025: Stephen Taylor Comprising a unique group of security specialists, spearheaded by award-winning MD Stephen Taylor, Frocester Group delivers its unique blend of services across the commercial, industrial, and private sectors alike. The Group consists of Frocester Security, Frocester Fire, and Frocester Gates and Barriers, three divisions united under the common aim of leveraging industry-leading experience to deliver every project to the highest standards. We had the pleasure of catching up with Stephen on the back of his recognition for more on his career and role within the Group. Whether they are working flexibly across individual projects relating to either security, fire, or gates/barriers, or together as an aligned and integrated team, the experts behind the multifaceted Frocester Group go above and beyond in the pursuit of safety for their clients. This dedication has resulted in the Frocester Group today serving a range of sectors – from retailers and sports brands through to commercial real estate and residential property companies alike – all of which are afforded its complete, 24/7 service. Guided by the values of trust, collaboration, attention to detail, and an entrepreneurial spirit, Frocester Group works towards both its mission of solving fire and security problems and its purpose of protecting people and the planet on a daily basis. Most recently, this has been seen through a host of projects for the likes of a Nike store in Manchester Arndale, Côte Brasserie at Heathrow Airport, a new designer outlet in the Cotswolds, and a private residence in Mayfair, all to name just a few. Each project has been greatly received. For Managing Director Stephen Taylor, the success experienced by the Group over the last seven years starts and ends with its team – a team he has played an invaluable role in building. Procuring great talent and devising equally exceptional solutions is nothing new for Stephen, who has been working in this space now for almost 30 years. Whether he was managing security for Royal Mail Property & Facilities Solutions or serving as the Scutum UK’s Sales Director, Stephen has always put in 110% across his career. His tenure with Frocester Group has been no different, with the blend of exceptional leadership and an innovative vision he brings to the table fuelling the expansion of the company into the leading UK provider of fire and security solutions. This has been achieved as a result of combining cutting-edge technology and impeccable customer service with the unwavering commitment to safety nurtured across the Group’s ranks – stemming from a series of strategic initiatives and a relentless focus on driving innovation. “We work nationally and internationally, with engineers all over the country. Our aim is eventually to have an engineer within 45 minutes of everywhere in the UK.” Across his ongoing pursuit of ensuring the Group remains at the forefront of both the advanced fire detection and security systems industries, Stephen has hit a number of milestones – chief amongst them being bringing a wide range of clients into the fold, such as John Lewis, Lululemon, and even the Wimbledon Championships. More than his ability to simply get these clients, Stephen’s distinction lies in his track record of retaining them, thanks to an emphasis on bespoke services and strengthening relationships. Beyond his inclusive leadership style, investment in training, and fostering of a closely collaborative work environment, Stephen’s strengths as a managing director can be seen through his advocacy for an overhaul of industry standards and safety regulations, with his dedication to setting a new benchmark for rigour in this industry ensuring that the Group will never settle for anything but the very best. It is with this in mind that Stephen shared with us the next steps for Frocester Group as we move into 2026 and beyond. Essentially, these aims entail striking a balance between strengthening everything the Group already has – its teams, its solutions, etc. – and expanding to further its reach and uphold its reputation as an innovator. Specifically, Stephen is looking to bring in more apprentices and younger talent, nurturing them to create the next generation of security specialists. This also feeds into a wider focus on the community, something the Group explores further through several charity events designed to bolster the value added at every turn. With Stephen Taylor being recognised as the Fire & Security Services MD of the Year 2025 in this feature, it is important to recognise that this award is not just a reflection of him, but Frocester Group more broadly. More information on the services provided by these security specialists can be found at their website, the link to which is down below. Contact: Stephen Taylor Company: Frocester Security Web Address: https://frocestergroup.co.uk/
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