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The membership of the new Small Business Council has been unveiled ahead of its first meeting later today, as the Government reaffirms its commitment to the UK鈥檚 5.6 million SMEs.

Chaired by Small Business Minister, Kevin Hollinrake, the Council will work alongside the PM鈥檚 Business Council to tackle the key issues facing small firms who will be given new levels of access direct to government.

Almost every business in the country is a small business (99.9%) who in turn support 27 million jobs across the UK, accounting for 拢4.5 trillion of annual turnover. Almost every billion-pound company, tech giant or multinational corporation started off as small business, which is why this Council has been formed, to help support and nurture the next generation of small firms to thrive and grow.

The Council will include small business organisations such as Small Business Britain, the Federation of Small Businesses and Family Business UK, as well as SMEs themselves.

These include Northern Ireland based furniture manufacturer Environmental Street Furniture who export to 27 countries globally; Midlands-based diamond drill specialists, D-Drill who have been crucial to major projects on the London Tideway and the Silverstone F1 circuit; and London-based superfood manufacturer Creative Nature who found a gap in the market for allergen products and are now stocked by supermarket giants across the UK.

With firms representing all corners of the UK covering sectors including manufacturing, construction, food and drink, the new council aims to truly represent the makeup of UK industry.

The Council will be a powerful voice for small businesses within Government and has been tasked with overseeing three key areas for small firms 鈥� Access to finance, skills and support as well as removing barriers.

Small Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

Small firms are at the heart of our communities and the engine of our economy 鈥� which is why the work of this council is so important. My own experience of working in a small business has given me crucial insights to the problems that SMEs face on a daily basis, from barriers to growth or access to finance.

We鈥檙e giving small firms a big voice, so they can directly air their concerns to government without delay 鈥� only when we work together can we tackle some of the burning issues SMEs are facing 鈥� only then can we help boost jobs and grow the economy.

FSB Policy Chair Tina McKenzie MBE said:

This new council is important because it will bring what鈥檚 happening at the front line of British business, from our 5.5 million small business owners, right into the heart of Government.聽

Alongside No.10鈥檚 existing corporate Business Council, the new body will shine a light on the unique challenges small firms face on areas such as finance, regulation and skills.聽 FSB is pleased to join it, and we hope to focus on how to reignite economic growth across our community.

Neil Davy, CEO of Family Business UK, said:聽

We are delighted to be part of the new Small Business Council, representing family businesses from across all regions and communities of the UK to highlight the unique challenges they face and the practical new ideas we have for generating economic growth.聽

It is great to see this group reflect the different models of business that make up the UK economy. Family firms offer a unique perspective due to their long-term view, and we look forward to working with the Council to deliver support and advice to help SMEs learn, thrive and grow.

Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain, said:

The diverse, varied and vibrant British small businesses are at the heart of our economy, society and communities and it is vital they are at the heart of policy too. Their needs and skills are often quite different to bigger businesses, so it鈥檚 really important that this new Small Business Council has been launched, to hear their unique perspectives and examine tailored solutions.

We are looking forward to working with Government to help unleash the massive power and potential of small businesses for the UK.

Thomas Robson-Kanu, Founder of The Turmeric Co., said:

Since launching in 2018, The Turmeric Co. has experienced rapid growth, but securing funding and navigating regulations as a purpose-driven SME presented hurdles. I鈥檓 eager to share our journey and advocate for solutions that unlock growth for UK鈥檚 vibrant businesses. Hurdles can truly make or break a SME, and more support around these will make a world of difference.

Julie White, Managing Director of D-Drill & Sawing, said:

I鈥檓聽honoured聽to have been selected to join the聽new聽Small Business Council and welcome this opportunity to聽share聽my thoughts on what it鈥檚 like doing business in the current climate. Everyone knows that trading is tough,聽and聽it鈥檚聽vital that SMEs are given聽as much聽support聽as聽possible to help them to grow.

Working聽with business,聽the Government can help聽to create the right economic conditions to help us聽all聽flourish聽by ensuring聽consistent聽policy, improving procurement聽and providing聽support for skills.

The Government is ensuring small firms have the support they need with a 拢4.3 billion package to support SMEs with business rates and extending the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief for a fifth year, we are helping businesses navigate challenging economic times.

We are also providing the swift and simple access to finance that SMEs need to start and grow, with the British Business Bank having delivered over 拢1 billion of loans to over 100,000 businesses, and UK Export Finance providing 拢6.5 billion of support to help businesses export around the world.

In recent weeks, the Government has made a series of announcements to support small business owners. The Lilac Review was jointly unveiled with Small Business Britain 鈥� as a major new independent review determined to tackle and overcome the inequality faced by disabled business owners.

And the Help to Grow campaign website has been relaunched and refreshed, as a one-stop shop for SMEs to find the information they need to grow and scale up. This includes helping small firms to clearly identify what funding they can access, helpful webinars as well as the basics of how to set up a business for the first time.

SME Council Members:

Michelle Ovens CBE鈥� Founder/CEO - Small Business Britain鈥�

Neil Davy CEO - Family Business UK

Tina McKenzie MBE - Policy Chair - Federation of Small Businesses鈥�

Emma Heal, MD - Lucky Saint

Thomas Robson Kanu, Founder 鈥� The Turmeric Co.

Julianne Ponan MBE CEO - Creative Nature Superfoods

Peter Davies MD - James Lister and Sons

Gary Parlett, Co-founder -聽 Answer Digital

Tania Boler, Founder - Elvie

Richard Marshall, Founder - Pall Mall Barbers

Elizabeth Vega, CEO - Informed Solutions

Tessa Clarke, Co-founder - Olio

Jordan Schwarzenberger, Co-founder - Arcade Media

Julie White, MD- D-Drill

Mike Bristow, CEO & co-founder - CrowdProperty

Debbie Williams, Co-founder - John Williams Heating Ltd

Roni Savage, MD - Jomas Associates

Andrew Bissell, CEO 鈥� Sunamp

Alan Lowry, CEO - Environmental Street Furniture