As part of the Government's mission to support small businesses,
Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, has today been
announced as the new Small Business Commissioner.
She will take up the role on 23rd June 2025 following the
completion of Liz Barclay's four-year term as the current
Commissioner.
Liz Barclay was instrumental in designing and delivering the new
Fair Payment Code which launched in December 2024.
Since then, over 300 businesses have already become Fair Payment
Code awardees with a commitment to paying their suppliers
quickly.
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.
Small Business Minister said:
“I'm delighted that in Emma Jones's 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.
“As part of our Plan for Change, I'm determined to make the UK
the world's best place to be an SME, tackling late payments,
improving access to finance and getting more small firms
exporting around the world – and today's appointment is a crucial
part of that process.
“And 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's small businesses.”
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 £21,400 in late payments.
New Small Business Commissioner Emma Jones CBE
said:
“Having 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.
“Through 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.
“This 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's status as a great place to start
and grow a business.”
The Small Business Commissioner plays a vital role in supporting
the UK's 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. The office also provides practical advice
and resources to help small businesses resolve payment disputes
and navigate commercial challenges.
The appointment furthers the government's 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.
The Government has already announced a raft of measures to
support small firms across the country.
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.
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.
This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet
Office's Governance Code on Public Appointments.
