Episode 19: Understanding microbusinesses

In this episode of the Exploring Enterprise podcast series Professor Stephen Roper explains why policymakers are overlooking millions of innovative micro-businesses, why creativity matters as much as technology, and what AI means for the future of UK growth.

Professor Mark Hart of the Enterprise Research Centre speaks with Liz Barclay to explain why micro-businesses are far more important to the UK economy than policymakers recognise. Drawing on decades of research, he reveals how these smallest firms quietly drive job creation, sustain local economies and contribute billions in long-term growth, despite often being overlooked in favour of “scale-ups” and high-growth firms. The conversation challenges current policy thinking, arguing that an overemphasis on a narrow group of businesses risks ignoring the real engine of the economy. Mark highlights evidence showing that many micro-enterprises grow steadily over time, becoming significant employers without relying on government intervention. He also addresses the barriers these businesses face, including access to finance, skills and consistent policy support. This episode simplifies complex research into practical insights, making clear why recognising and supporting micro-businesses is essential for a more balanced, resilient and inclusive UK economy.

In this episode, Zofia Bajorek, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Employment Studies, Petra Wilton, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the Chartered Management Institute and Dr Maria Wishart, Research Fellow at the ERC, speak to Professor Mark Hart on the role of line managers in business performance.  The discussion covers a range of themes, including the complexity of the line management role, the relationship between line management and workplace wellbeing, and the training and development needs of this group.

In this episode, Professor Stephen Roper is joined by Dr Maria Wishart, Research Fellow, at the ERC, Andrew Griffiths, Director of Policy and Corporate Development at PlanetMark, and Michael Martin, Head of Net Zero and Advice Team, Wenta. We revisit a theme we covered in one of our early podcasts back in 2021 – namely, SMEs and net zero adoption, reflecting on how SME behaviours and attitudes have changed, how policy has evolved, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Episode 21 of Exploring Enterprise, the podcast series from the Enterprise Research Centre.  Professor Mark Hart, Deputy Director at the ERC is  joined by David Taylor, Founder and Managing Director of the business DNAsix as well as being as a business adviser, coach and author, alongside Jodi Fair, who is Programme Manager at Solent Business and Skills Solutions, a free business support service discussing  effective delivery of business support to the nation’s small businesses.   

Professor Stephen Roper, Director of the ERC is  joined by William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce; Jun Du , Director of Centre for Business Prosperity (CBP) and Professor of Economics at Aston Business School; and Eugenie Golubova, Research Fellow and my colleague at the ERC reflecting on the range of issues associated with small businesses and exporting.

Professor Mark Hart, Deputy Director of the ERC is joined by Emily Whitehead, business coach and consultant, and Founder of Simply Great Britain, and Professor Andrew Henley, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Economics at Cardiff Business School reflecting on the world of microbusinesses or micro-enterprises, an under-researched and perhaps misunderstood part of the business population, in spite of their prevalence in the economy.

For the 18th episode of Exploring Enterprise, the podcast series from the Enterprise Research Centre, Professor Mark Hart, Deputy Director of the ERC is joined by Manny Athwal who is an entrepreneur and the founder and current CEO of the School of Coding, and Ian McLaughlan, who is Director of Business Growth West Midlands, a new business support service to reflect on the important theme of how to support better management in small businesses.

Professor Mark Hart, Deputy Director at the ERC,is joined by Richard Jeffery, National Director of GC Business, based in Manchester, and Jane Galsworthy, Managing Director of Oxford Innovation Advice, and also the Chair of the ERC’s Steering Group. discussing a big question for all those running or providing support to small businesses – what is the future of business support?  

Professor Mark Hart, Deputy Director of the ERC, is  joined by Dr Lorna Treanor, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Nottingham, and Fiona Morrill, Senior Manager at the British Business Bank to discuss and reflect on the  theme of ‘inclusive entrepreneurship’. What is meant by Inclusive Entrepreneurship and why is it important?