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Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, has been named the next Small Business Commissioner, officially taking on the role from 23 June 2025. She succeeds Liz Barclay and will lead the charge in tackling late payments and promoting better payment practices across the UK.
The position of Small Business Commissioner was established to support the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses, especially in their interactions with larger organisations. Late payment continues to be a major challenge for small business owners and the self-employed. According to recent findings from Intuit QuickBooks, SMEs were owed an average of £21,400 in overdue payments during 2024.
Under Liz Barclay’s leadership, the Fair Payment Code was launched in December 2024. This initiative urges firms to adopt more timely and ethical payment practices. So far, over 300 companies have signed up to the code. Barclay also played a key role in shaping new proposals for legislative reform, with a significant public consultation anticipated later in the year.
Commenting on her appointment, Jones said: “Having done it myself, I know the commitment it takes to start and grow a successful business.”
In her new capacity, Jones is expected to enhance the support available to small businesses by expanding access to tools, guidance, and resources that help resolve payment issues and navigate commercial challenges.
