Emma Jones CBE appointed Small Business Commissioner to combat late payments

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June 18, 2025

Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, has been appointed as the new Small Business Commissioner, effective 23 June 2025. Her primary focus will be to combat the pervasive issue of late payments and unfair payment practices affecting the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses, a problem that significantly hinders their growth and stability.

New commissioner to tackle late payments

Emma Jones CBE, a well-known advocate for small businesses and the founder of Enterprise Nation, is set to assume the role of Small Business Commissioner on 23 June 2025. She will succeed Liz Barclay, who has completed her four-year term, during which she was instrumental in developing the Fair Payment Code.

Jones’s appointment comes at a critical time, as late payments continue to plague small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK. Research indicates that SMEs were owed an average of £21,400 in late payments in 2024. This financial strain not only impacts cash flow but also diverts valuable time and resources that could otherwise be spent on business growth.

The impact of late payments on SMEs

Late payments pose a significant threat to the viability and growth of small businesses. The financial burden can be substantial, leading to cash flow shortages and, in some cases, business failure. Key statistics highlight the severity of the issue:

Average amount owed: SMEs were owed an average of £21,400 in late payments in 2024.
Time spent chasing payments: SMEs spend an estimated 56.4 million staff hours annually chasing late payments.
Cost to businesses: This chasing costs businesses approximately £6.3 billion per year.
Additional finance costs: The need for additional finance to cover cash flow shortfalls due to late payments costs SMEs around £684 million annually.

A champion for small businesses

Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas expressed his delight at Jones’s appointment, emphasising her long-standing commitment to championing small firms and entrepreneurs. He stated that her passion and expertise would ensure small firms have a powerful advocate fighting for their interests. Jones herself acknowledged the challenges faced by founders, noting that they are often "time poor and spending too many precious hours on non-productive work like chasing debt."

Jones plans to leverage technology through the Office of the Small Business Commissioner to streamline payments and enhance access to support for small business owners. This initiative aims to free up founders to concentrate on core business activities and foster an environment where the UK remains an attractive place to start and grow a business.

Key takeaways

Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, is the new Small Business Commissioner.
She will begin her four-year term on 23 June 2025, succeeding Liz Barclay.
Her primary focus is to tackle late payments and unfair payment practices affecting UK SMEs.
Late payments cost SMEs billions annually and divert significant time from growth activities.
Jones aims to use technology to expedite payments and provide better support for small businesses.
The appointment reinforces the government’s commitment to creating a fair business environment for SMEs.

Government’s broader commitment

The appointment of Emma Jones is part of the government’s wider strategy to support small businesses, which are crucial for job creation, economic growth, and community prosperity. Recent measures include:

The launch of a revamped Board of Trade to assist more small firms.
Extension of business rates relief for the hospitality sector.
Introduction of a new Business Growth Service to provide easier access to government advice and support for SMEs.

Jones’s role will be pivotal in advancing these initiatives, ensuring that the UK’s small business community can thrive without the persistent burden of late payments.