What’s Holding Britain’s Small Businesses Back? Emma Jones CBE Speaks Out

Emma Jones CBE, the UK’s Small Business Commissioner, joins Off The Agenda for a candid conversation about the pressures facing Britain’s small businesses and the structural barriers that continue to limit growth.

Interviewed by Natasha Frangos alongside Natalie Ojevah MBE, Emma reflects on her journey from founder to national advocate and offers a clear-eyed assessment of why too many SMEs are still struggling to scale.

From late payments and access to opportunity beyond London, to the impact of AI and the role of policymakers and large institutions, this episode cuts through rhetoric to focus on what businesses genuinely need to succeed.

The urgency of these issues is underscored by events unfolding on the UK high street. This week, reports that Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop are on the brink of collapse, putting around 2,500 jobs at risk, have once again highlighted the fragile state of Britain’s retail and SME economy. It is against this backdrop that Emma’s insights land, shifting the conversation from headlines to the structural changes needed to support small businesses before crisis hits.

Watch her full interview now on Off The Agenda.

Emma Jones CBE

FTSE 100 Breaks 10,000: A Signal the City Can’t Ignore

The FTSE 100 crossed the 10,000-point mark for the first time last week, a symbolic milestone for UK markets and a signal of renewed confidence in British equities.

After its strongest year since 2009, the index continues to outperform global peers, supported by expectations of easing interest rates, a competitive pound and strong performances across aerospace, mining and financial services.

The move echoes HM Treasury’s emphasis on shifting capital from idle cash into productive investment, reinforcing the role public markets play in supporting long-term economic growth.

For the City, this moment matters. It reinforces London’s role as a global capital market hub at a time when investment, policy and leadership are under renewed scrutiny.

As OTA Media prepares to close the market later this month, moments like this highlight why convening leaders around capital, growth and long-term value matters now.

ICYMI: Sir Charles Bowman and Sir Kenneth Olisa on Britain’s Next Agenda

On 20 January 2026, OTA Media will partner with HM Treasury, London Stock Exchange Group and HaysMac to deliver The Next Agenda, a landmark Market Close event at the LSE.

The evening will feature:

A live market close ceremony
A headline conversation between Sir Charles Bowman and Sir Kenneth Olisa
A high-level panel hosted by HM Treasury
A Live performance by Jordan Thomas

In the lead-up, OTA Media will release weekly Off The Agenda interviews aligned to five national priorities: growth, fintech, green finance, inclusion and global partnerships.

🎟 Registration is closing soon. Capacity is limited.

Sign Up

Rob Pierre Joins the Market Close Panel: Leadership, Innovation and the Next Agenda

Entrepreneur and investor Rob Pierre, co-founder and former CEO of Jellyfish, will join the Market Close panel discussion.

Rob scaled Jellyfish into a global digital agency with more than 2,000 employees before its acquisition by The Brandtech Group in a deal reported to be worth hundreds of millions. Today, his focus spans investment, advisory roles and purpose-led ventures.

At The Next Agenda, Rob brings a founder’s perspective on leadership in uncertainty, AI-driven productivity and balancing growth with responsibility.

Introducing The Circle

The Circle is a private community for founders, operators and investors shaping what comes next in business, culture and capital.

It is:

Invitation-only
Application-led
Built on trust, not timelines

The Circle was born from a conversation between Edwin Danso and Rob Pierre, centred on a simple but important question:
How does OTA Media grow alongside the people building the future, not just reporting on it?

Because real growth doesn’t happen in public feeds.
It happens in trusted rooms, where small groups and aligned communities build influence that can rival the biggest institutions.

More details soon.

Apply for Consideration

Off The Agenda Guest I. Stephanie Boyce Awarded CBE

We’re delighted to see that I. Stephanie Boyce, a past guest on Off The Agenda, has been awarded a CBE in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the legal profession and public life.

Stephanie made history as the first Black President of the Law Society in its 200-year history, and joined Sir Charles Bowman in conversation previously to discuss leadership, responsibility and the future of the legal profession.

Watch the conversation here:

I. Stephanie Boyce