Last week, our founder and Managing Director, Julie Evason, experienced an exciting moment: Entering the famous black door of 10 Downing Street. Somewhat out of the blue, she’d been personally invited to gather with 50 or so other owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) drawn from a diverse range of sectors. The event was intended by the new Government to highlight the importance of SMEs in helping drive and shape the British economy, and thus build stronger communities. Julie recalls, “When I first received the invite, I thought it might be spam! But it was a very pleasant surprise to discover it was, in fact, real, and was intrigued to be part of this gathering! What was funny was many of the SMEs I spoke with on the day, all thought the same as I had”
Small Businesses: The BEATING HEART of the UK
One of Julie’s key observations from the event was the recognition of SMEs as the “beating heart” of the UK and its economy. This sentiment was clearly conveyed by Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, in a brief address when he acknowledged their vital role in driving economic growth. He also pledged ongoing support for small businesses, which he stated would be revealed over the coming days to coincide with the Small Business Saturday.
“It was lovely to be invited to Downing Street, and to be thanked for the work we do. It was also great to hear from leaders like Sir Keir and Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business & Trade, about their support for SMEs, and their commitment to addressing the barriers and pain points we all face.”
The event brought together the owners of a wide array of small business leaders, ranging from sustainable fashion brands and micro-breweries to visual effects and animation studios. A common thread was the inspiring level of innovation and resilience within the SME sector, despite many challenges. However, companies were expressing their concerns over the recent announcements relating to the increase in NI and the farmers inheritance tax plans. Government officials and SME representatives were agreeing further conversations around this at the gathering.
Julie also shared her appreciation of having also had the opportunity to speak in November to the Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, during a Small Business Breakfast Roundtable held at the Department of Business and Trade on Whitehall. The invited guests were encouraged to discuss the current challenges they faced as SMEs, and suggest how the new administration could support them via potential solutions. To read and watch Julie’s insights in depth, see our blog post on the event.
A HOLISTIC view on BUSINESS HEALTH
Beyond discussing policy and support matters, the event at N10 served as a reminder of the need for business leaders to look after themselves – and their staff.
Julie explains, “Running a business is like maintaining a car – you put so much energy into it, but you have to take care of yourself too, to keep everything running smoothly,” adding that, “Prioritising the health and wellbeing of employees is essential, as healthier communities will inevitably lead to a stronger future. Our prevention work with NHS Health Checks and workplace health initiatives helps keep people healthier for longer, enabling them to thrive both professionally and personally. Addressing long-term sickness is not only good for individuals, but also saves businesses money in the long term: Every pound invested in health delivers a fivefold return on investment.”
Julie’s insights are particularly timely in light of recent findings which are widely publicised about the rising number of people unable to work due to long-term illness – a figure that reached a record high of 2.8 million between December 2023 and February 2024. “Keeping employees happy and healthy is key,” she emphasised. “It’s about creating a sustainable workforce that benefits everyone.”
Building HEALTHIER FUTURES
Health Diagnostics continues to advance and expand its workplace and community health initiatives, so Julie’s visit to No.10 only reinforced the importance of our mission. By prioritising the health of employees and communities, we’re not only building healthier futures, but also creating stronger, more sustainable businesses. A visit to No.10 was not only a celebration of the incredible work SMEs are doing across the UK, but it also provided an even louder call to action to keep pushing for healthier businesses and communities.
Here’s to stronger partnerships, healthier workplaces and thriving small businesses. Together, we can help shape the future.