皇冠体育app

• 皇冠体育app new Small Business Commissioner has been appointed to take a leading role in tackling late payments and unfair payment practices聽

• Jones brings wealth of entrepreneurial experience as founder of Enterprise Nation to support UK鈥檚 5.5m small businesses聽

• Appointment reinforces government commitment to creating fair business environment as part of Plan for Change聽

As part of the Government鈥檚 mission to support small businesses, Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, has today been announced as the new Small Business Commissioner.聽

She will take up the role on 23rd June 2025 following the completion of Liz Barclay鈥檚 four-year term as the current Commissioner.聽聽

Liz Barclay was instrumental in designing and delivering the new Fair Payment Code which launched in December 2024.聽聽

Since then, over 300 businesses have already become Fair Payment Code awardees with a commitment to paying their suppliers quickly.聽聽

Liz has also played a key role in helping design potential future legislative measures to tackle late payments and long payment terms, with a major consultation set to be published in the coming months.聽

Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas said:聽

鈥淚鈥檓 delighted that in Emma Jones鈥檚 appointment, we have someone who has long championed small firms and entrepreneurs right across the UK. I am confident that her passion and expertise will ensure small firms have a powerful advocate fighting in their corner.聽

鈥淎s part of our Plan for Change, I鈥檓 determined to make the UK the world鈥檚 best place to be an SME, tackling late payments, improving access to finance and getting more small firms exporting around the world 鈥� and today鈥檚 appointment is a crucial part of that process.聽

鈥淎nd I want to thank Liz Barclay for her work over the past four years as Commissioner, during which time she has worked tirelessly in supporting the nation鈥檚 small businesses.鈥澛�

In her new position, Emma will be a key player in tackling late payments and long payment terms for small businesses and the self-employed. This Government is committed to tackling this problem, which has for too long been a scourge for small businesses. Research has found that in 2024, SMEs were owed on average 拢21,400 in late payments.

New Small Business Commissioner Emma Jones CBE said:聽

鈥淗aving done it myself, I know the commitment it takes to start and grow a successful business. Founders tell me they are time poor and spending too many precious hours on non-productive work like chasing debt. This is limiting their capacity to focus on growth and we want to change that.

鈥淭hrough the Office of the Small Business Commissioner, we will make life easier for small business owners by leveraging technology to speed up payments and access to support.

鈥淭his work will be delivered in partnership with government and industry with a shared desire to enable founders to focus on what they do best and retain the UK鈥檚 status as a great place to start and grow a business.鈥�

皇冠体育app Small Business Commissioner plays a vital role in supporting the UK鈥檚 5.5 million small businesses by working to ensure they are treated fairly by larger companies and can access the support they need to thrive. 皇冠体育app office also provides practical advice and resources to help small businesses resolve payment disputes and navigate commercial challenges.聽

皇冠体育app appointment furthers the government鈥檚 agenda to create a fair and supportive environment for small businesses to thrive, recognising their critical role in job creation, economic growth and community prosperity across the UK.聽

皇冠体育app Government has already announced a raft of measures to support small firms across the country.聽

A revamped Board of Trade tasked with helping more small firms was launched earlier this year, and comes ahead of a major consultation to tackle the scourge of late payments.聽

Last year, the Treasury extended business rates relief for the hospitality sector and the Business Secretary announced a new Business Growth Service to make it easier and quicker for SMEs to access and benefit from the right government advice and support for their business.聽

This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office鈥檚 Governance Code on Public Appointments.聽

Notes to editors

• Intuit Quickbooks research found that in 2024 SMEs were owed on average 拢21,400 in late payments.