Government appoints Emma Jones CBE as new Small Business Commissioner to help tackle late payments
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-16)

Government appoints new Small Business Commissioner as part of efforts to boost SMEs and tackle late payments

The new Small Business Commissioner has been appointed to take a leading role in tackling late payments and unfair payment practices

Jones brings wealth of entrepreneurial experience as founder of Enterprise Nation to support UK’s 5.5m small businesses

Appointment reinforces government commitment to creating fair business environment as part of Plan for Change

As part of the Government’s mission to support small businesses, Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, has today been announced as the new Small Business Commissioner.

She will take up the role on 23rd June 2025 following the completion of Liz Barclay’s four-year term as the current Commissioner.

Liz Barclay was instrumental in designing and delivering the new Fair Payment Code which launched in December 2024.

Since then, over 300 businesses have already become Fair Payment Code awardees with a commitment to paying their suppliers quickly.

Liz has also played a key role in helping design potential future legislative measures to tackle late payments and long payment terms, with a major consultation set to be published in the coming months.

Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas said:

“I’m delighted that in Emma Jones’s appointment, we have someone who has long championed small firms and entrepreneurs right across the UK. I am confident that her passion and expertise will ensure small firms have a powerful advocate fighting in their corner.

“As part of our Plan for Change, I’m determined to make the UK the world’s best place to be an SME, tackling late payments, improving access to finance and getting more small firms exporting around the world – and today’s appointment is a crucial part of that process.

“And I want to thank Liz Barclay for her work over the past four years as Commissioner, during which time she has worked tirelessly in supporting the nation’s small businesses.”

In her new position, Emma will be a key player in tackling late payments and long payment terms for small businesses and the self-employed. This Government is committed to tackling this problem, which has for too long been a scourge for small businesses. Research has found that in 2024, SMEs were owed on average £21,400 in late payments.

New Small Business Commissioner Emma Jones CBE said:

“Having done it myself, I know the commitment it takes to start and grow a successful business. Founders tell me they are time poor and spending too many precious hours on non-productive work like chasing debt. This is limiting their capacity to focus on growth and we want to change that.

“Through the Office of the Small Business Commissioner, we will make life easier for small business owners by leveraging technology to speed up payments and access to support.

“This work will be delivered in partnership with government and industry with a shared desire to enable founders to focus on what they do best and retain the UK’s status as a great place to start and grow a business.”

The Small Business Commissioner plays a vital role in supporting the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses by working to ensure they are treated fairly by larger companies and can access the support they need to thrive. The office also provides practical advice and resources to help small businesses resolve payment disputes and navigate commercial challenges.

The appointment furthers the government’s agenda to create a fair and supportive environment for small businesses to thrive, recognising their critical role in job creation, economic growth and community prosperity across the UK.

The Government has already announced a raft of measures to support small firms across the country.

A revamped Board of Trade tasked with helping more small firms was launched earlier this year, and comes ahead of a major consultation to tackle the scourge of late payments.

Last year, the Treasury extended business rates relief for the hospitality sector and the Business Secretary announced a new Business Growth Service to make it easier and quicker for SMEs to access and benefit from the right government advice and support for their business.

This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Notes to editors
- Intuit Quickbooks research found that in 2024 SMEs were owed on average £21,400 in late payments.