Nine in 10 leaders of SMEs confident for coming year
Evening Standard|September 03, 2024
LEADERS of small and medium size businesses are increasingly confident about prospects for the 12 months ahead after two tough years of soaring costs and high interest rates, a new survey reveals today.
Jonathan Prynn
Nine in 10 leaders of SMEs confident for coming year

Almost nine of out 10 owners and senior executives polled said they were confident about the coming year, with more than a quarter expressing “extreme confidence”. Only 4% of those asked said they were not feeling confident at all.

The research, carried out on behalf of specialist bank Shawbrook, also found that almost half of SMEs had seen growth over the past 12 months, up from 29% in last year’s survey.

Increasing profitability is the key priority for SMEs in 2024 (52%), with improving productivity (51%) and managing rising costs (50%) also close to the top of the list.

Business owners are also considering how to expand and develop their business. A third are looking at digital transformation of their business and 29% are considering expanding into new markets or exporting.

Denne historien er fra September 03, 2024-utgaven av Evening Standard.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra September 03, 2024-utgaven av Evening Standard.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA EVENING STANDARDSe alt
Vamos Rafa! It's time to go for Spain's brave warrior
The London Standard

Vamos Rafa! It's time to go for Spain's brave warrior

'Shy and funny' Nadal bows out as sport's ultimate competitor

time-read
2 mins  |
November 21, 2024
Does Angeball have a winning future at Spurs?
The London Standard

Does Angeball have a winning future at Spurs?

Head coach divides supporters with his ultra-attacking tactics

time-read
5 mins  |
November 21, 2024
The £5bn-a-year tax timebomb that's set to devastate London hospitality
The London Standard

The £5bn-a-year tax timebomb that's set to devastate London hospitality

The capital will bear the brunt of Rachel Reeves’s National Insurance raid

time-read
4 mins  |
November 21, 2024
Live like a Queen...
The London Standard

Live like a Queen...

...in the house gifted to Anne of Cleves by Henry VIII in 1540 and now onsale for 3.75 million

time-read
3 mins  |
November 21, 2024
At home with...Matthew Williamson
The London Standard

At home with...Matthew Williamson

The designer’s Belsize Park flatis a grand canvas for his ever-changing colour palette

time-read
5 mins  |
November 21, 2024
Hidden London
The London Standard

Hidden London

The first time I made my way to Maison Assouline was with a broken foot, in a tragic boot and crutches.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 21, 2024
Jameela Jamil on why New York will always have her heart...
The London Standard

Jameela Jamil on why New York will always have her heart...

..and her stomach. The actor and activist shares her favourite brunch spot, a secret bar and her brownstone fantasies

time-read
6 mins  |
November 21, 2024
The London Standard

My life in bespoke suits

Back in the Eighties, suits were so wide that even the shoulder pads had shoulder pads. Suits back then were boxy, square, and designed to make you look like a quarterback, a bouncer or a tank.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 21, 2024
Cher's wild world
The London Standard

Cher's wild world

The singer's memoir is full of jaw-dropping tales

time-read
4 mins  |
November 21, 2024
'I was told I could stay in the UKthen kicked out of my asylum accommodation'
The London Standard

'I was told I could stay in the UKthen kicked out of my asylum accommodation'

As our appeal hits 1m, we turn the spotlight on an official policy that’s making newly recognised refugees homeless

time-read
7 mins  |
November 21, 2024