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The three fates of workers in the age of AI

In this guest article, Hannah Seal, partner at Index Ventures, explores the impact of AI on the workforce. “Love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness,” Sigmund Freud once wrote. So, what happens to our humanity in an era of AI, which – according to the headlines – threatens to replace millions of jobs...
A sign showing the go:tech awards logo

Go:Tech Awards 2024 shortlist revealed

Business Leader has revealed the shortlist for this year’s Go:Tech Awards. The finalists were decided through a rigorous selection process by the awards’ judging panel, which this year included HSBC’s head of technology sector Roland Emmans; Dr Sofie McPherson, patent director at the law firm HGF; Yiannis Maos, founder and CEO of Birmingham Tech; and...

Quantum sensors: A booming market

For many years, quantum sensing was largely a scientific curiosity that few people could grasp. Now, it is primed to become a hotbed of commercialised innovation

Understanding IP risks in the age of AI

Generative AI has become a transformative force in many industries, offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation and efficiency. However, along with those opportunities also comes risk. This article explores some of those risks, with a focus on UK IP laws. Subsistence and ownership of IP in AI-generated works A typical output of generative AI might be...
Patented stamp and pencil on a file

The truth about software patents

I’ve been a patent attorney working in what’s often called “computer-implemented inventions” for around 20 years. Throughout that time, I’ve had many people tell me that you couldn’t get patents for software. Well, I’m able to tell you otherwise: it is possible to get patent protection for software inventions. The situation is a bit more...
Andrew Mclaughlan leaning against a door

Welcome to the new Business Leader

Welcome to the new Business Leader. We’re excited to reintroduce ourselves to the dynamic business community in the UK, starting with our relaunched website and invigorated mission.  At Business Leader we’ve identified a glaring need to support the trailblazers – the founders, CEOs, and entrepreneurs propelling mid-sized companies forward. Our commitment is clear: to inspire...

Andrew McLaughlan

Chāmpo beauty products

How Chāmpo became the UK’s fastest-growing beauty company

Ranked eighth on The Sunday Times Hundred 2023, making it the UK’s fastest-growing beauty company, Chāmpo has achieved a compound annual growth rate of 217% over the past three years and sold more than one million products since its 2019 launch. The company, which provides clinically proven formulas for a new generation of haircare consumers,...

James Cook

The pros and cons of taking venture capital funding for your startup

In 2022, venture capital (VC) firms raised a record-breaking $162.6 billion. Venture capital investment can be an especially attractive way of obtaining significant capital for your startup and taking it to the next level. But what is venture capital? VC is a type of funding that involves private equity financing that is provided by several...

How hotels can reduce their carbon footprint

Hotels play a significant role in the hospitality industry, but their operations often have a substantial environmental impact. Reducing the carbon footprint of hotels is not only beneficial for the environment, but also for the reputation and bottom line of the business. In the context of the UK, where sustainability is gaining increasing importance, hotels...

Introducing The BoxCo: Transforming self-storage with tech

In an era dominated by instant deliveries and digital convenience, The BoxCo. emerges as a game-changer in the self-storage industry. With a vision to revolutionise the way we store our personal items, The BoxCo. is a breath of fresh air in a sector that’s ripe for a tech makeover. Founders’ vision: Streamlining storage The journey...

Navigating economic uncertainty: The role of fractional CFOs in risk management

Economic uncertainty inevitably challenges small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which commonly cannot afford full-time, high-level finance executives. In such turbulent times, a fractional chief financial officer (CFO) plays a vital role, especially in risk management. This article explores how fractional CFO services equip SMEs with essential expertise to effectively steer through economic uncertainties, delivering strategic...

What measures can UK companies take to reduce cyber attacks?

In an increasingly digital world, the threat of cyber attacks looms large over businesses, with UK companies being no exception.  According to recent statistics, cybercrime costs the UK economy billions of pounds each year, with the average cost of a cyber attack for a small or medium-sized enterprise standing at around £8,460 per incident.  In...

How UK landlords can get ahead on their rent

In the complex world of UK property management, landlords often encounter situations where immediate access to cash is necessary to address maintenance issues, cover expenses or pursue investment opportunities. To meet these financial needs, landlords have several options available, including cash advances on rent, landlord finance, factoring and secured loans. Landlords seeking quick access to...

What an accountant can offer the self-employed

As a self-employed individual in the UK, managing your finances can be a daunting task amid the responsibilities of running your own business. This is where an accountant becomes an invaluable asset, providing expert guidance and support to ensure financial stability and compliance with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) regulations. One of the key roles...

How your business can access capital quickly

Despite their importance to the economy, small businesses often have a very difficult time securing the funding they need. This means their owners need to be more resourceful when it comes to financing their businesses and may need to explore alternative sources of funding. Only 20 per cent of small businesses are successful in their...

Five actions that will drive 2024 business growth

As we enter 2024, the spotlight is on key predictions shaping the landscape for SMEs and global growth. With economic instability rife and technology evolving swiftly, SMEs must take proactive steps to manage resources and stay updated on market trends. According to recent research from Three Business, UK SMEs are anticipating an average of 15%...

Patricia Cullen

Five tech scale-ups to watch out for in 2024

With the rise of AI, advancements in cordless technology, and pinching as the new clicking, 2023 has been a great year for technology. It’s hard to sum up how much has changed in the last 12 months, and it’s even harder to predict where the next year will take us, but who are some of...

Alice Cumming

What Does 2024 Politics have in store for business

What does politics have in store for business in 2024?

Simon Danczuk, businessman, author, and former MP, looks ahead at the 2024 international chessboard, covering global events and their impact on UK business. November saw the Conservative government deliver their King’s Speech and Autumn Statement for the year ahead. The former is where King Charles is tasked with reading to Parliament a list of what...

Josh Dornbrack

Thatcher illustration

The remarkable legacy of the Enterprise Allowance Scheme and the case to bring it back

During the 1980s, in the midst of surging unemployment, Margaret Thatcher’s government rolled out the Enterprise Allowance Scheme (EAS), an initiative which provided a weekly allowance for unemployed people of working age with entrepreneurial ambitions. Although it had its critics, the ESA left a remarkable legacy. Rolled out nationwide in 1983, the Enterprise Allowance Scheme...

James Cook

Terry Venables

Terry Venables: A masterclass in communication, preparation, and flexibility

Terry Venables, the former football manager who led England to the semi-finals of Euro 96, sadly passed away over the weekend. Tributes have poured in for the former Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, and Barcelona manager, revealing some remarkable lessons from a man who left an indelible mark on the world of football. Recognising individual differences...

James Cook

Figurines of a man, woman, child and shopping trolley on a tablet

Meet Ovuvu: The latest e-commerce store tackling high prices

In the minefield of being bombarded with ads and things to buy on Instagram and TikTok, one start-up has set out to change the perception of e-commerce and transparency in online shopping. Ovuvu, a start-up that launched last year and runs out of its warehouse in North London, offers a range of exciting products for...

Autumn Statement 2023: What to expect

With the Autumn Statement taking place tomorrow, Jeremy Hunt will set out the government’s latest plans for tax and public spending. Ahead of tomorrow’s address, the chancellor has said, “I will focus on how we boost business investment and get people back into work to deliver the growth our country needs.” We’ve collated everything that’s...

James Cook

Spacetech

Is space a viable industry for UK businesses to pursue?

Space – a fantasy for many children and cause for existentialism for many adults. But it is also now an opportunity for exploration and advancement.   The UK space industry income grew 5.1% to £17.5bn in 2021, according to research. A seemingly niche industry is getting bigger and spacetech looks an increasingly exciting and accessible...

Alice Cumming

Multi-colored plastic figures

Unlocking the power of DE&I: A guide for SMEs

In this guest article, Amanda Cusdin, chief people officer at Sage, provides actionable steps on how SMEs can drive DE&I initiatives. The past three years have been a whirlwind for DE&I work: we’ve seen lots of big businesses sharing their DE&I plans in response to everything from George Floyd’s murder and the Covid-19 pandemic to...

Josh Dornbrack