Rachel Miller, Marketing Donut Journalist Profile

Articles

Self-employed welcome "default savings" pension plan

1 week ago | marketingdonut.co.uk | Rachel Miller

Only 18% of the UK's 4.4 million self-employed workers are currently saving into a pension; new research suggests that a "default savings plan" could be the way to help more freelancers save for their future. Research published by Nest Insight has found that a default approach could help close the retirement savings gap for self-employed workers. Currently, only 18% of self-employed people save into a pension - even though nearly three-quarters of them say they want to save for retirement.
Newcastle named "best place to work for a small firm"

1 week ago | marketingdonut.co.uk | Rachel Miller

Newcastle upon Tyne, Ipswich and Peterborough are the best places to work for a small business in Britain based on commute times and wages, according to a new study. SME lender Iwoca has published its annual Top 25 towns and cities for SME jobs for 2025, revealing the best places in Britain to work for a small business. The ranking is based on a range of criteria that jobseekers look for, including average wages, commute time, house prices, job density and small business growth.
Sage’s Small Business XI Competition launches

1 week ago | moneydonut.co.uk | Rachel Miller

Sage has partnered with The Hundred cricket tournament to launch a competition that celebrates small businesses. Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), has partnered with cricket legends and entrepreneurs Stuart Broad and Nat Sciver-Brunt to launch this year’s Sage Small Business XI competition.
Sage’s Small Business XI Competition launches

1 week ago | techdonut.co.uk | Rachel Miller

Sage has partnered with The Hundred cricket tournament to launch a competition that celebrates small businesses. Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), has partnered with cricket legends and entrepreneurs Stuart Broad and Nat Sciver-Brunt to launch this year’s Sage Small Business XI competition.
Sage’s Small Business XI Competition launches

1 week ago | startupdonut.co.uk | Rachel Miller

Sage has partnered with The Hundred cricket tournament to launch a competition that celebrates small businesses. Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), has partnered with cricket legends and entrepreneurs Stuart Broad and Nat Sciver-Brunt to launch this year’s Sage Small Business XI competition.
Small firms say government red tape is holding them back

2 weeks ago | marketingdonut.co.uk | Rachel Miller

A new survey has found that the administrative burden of business reporting, bureaucracy and compliance is preventing many small businesses from reaching their full potential. Regulations and government policies are hindering growth in the UK SME sector, according to new research. A survey, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of accounting software company FreeAgent, polled 500 UK companies with five to 20 employees.
Consumers urged improved their digital hygiene

3 weeks ago | marketingdonut.co.uk | Rachel Miller

Cybercriminals continue to target the retail industry, with fashion brands increasingly in their crosshairs. Outdoor apparel maker The North Face and luxury jeweller Cartier are the latest companies to suffer data leaks, following breaches at Marks and Spencer, Co-op, Adidas, and Victoria's Secret in recent months. The North Face informed its customers that the company had suffered a cybersecurity incident and customer data was likely compromised.
Confidence boost: small business owners show new optimism

3 weeks ago | marketingdonut.co.uk | Rachel Miller

Two new studies suggest that UK small business owners are feeling more positive about their prospects and better prepared to face the challenges ahead. A new survey by American Express has found that 68% of UK small firms feel that their business is resilient and 71% expect their business to grow over the next 12 months.
One in three small firms struggle to get funding

3 weeks ago | startupdonut.co.uk | Rachel Miller

New research shows that many small businesses in the UK are struggling to access the finance they need and a worrying one in five have been turned down for a business bank account. Outdated and inefficient verification systems are preventing many small firms from getting the finance they need to survive and grow, according to a new study on the state of SME funding in the UK.
Could AI help your small business to survive?

1 month ago | marketingdonut.co.uk | Rachel Miller

Six in ten small businesses believe AI will be vital to their growth and survival in the next five years but a lack of understanding and cost barriers are holding many firms back, according to a new report. Research conducted by Small Business Britain and BT has found that 60% of small firms predict AI will be essential to their growth and survival in the next five years.