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Ten years ago, the first B Corps were certified in the UK. A decade later, this powerful and diverse community of over 2,600 businesses is thriving through placing purpose and profit hand in hand.

Coined by ITV as the ‘North East Mary Portas’, Graham Soult works tirelessly to revitalise town centres and is arguably the regions best-known retail expert. Whether it’s through research reports, consultancy work, TV appearances or serving as a ‘Retail Cupid’ to increase occupancy in shops, he always has supporting high streets to thrive top of mind.

We had the pleasure of hosting Blair McDougall MP, the Minister for Small Business, at UMi! A fantastic opportunity to showcase the incredible work our team does through the Business Support Service and to share how we’re helping businesses do more and go further.

The Chancellor’s Budget 2025 sets out measures aimed at stability, investment, and reform. For busy business leaders, making sense of the #AutumnBudget can be challenging — and knowing what to do next isn’t always clear. To help, we’ve highlighted the key announcements and what they mean for your business.

Improve your digital capabilities with free support. You’ve built strong foundations, now take your next step with the Digital Knowledge Exchange. Sign up to gain instant access to practical online resources and be the first to receive ongoing support when the programme starts. Digital Knowledge Exchange begins April 2026. Funded by the Department for Business and Trade, the programme will help Yorkshire businesses to advance digital knowledge and understanding enabling you to work smarter, market better and fuel growth. Register today – spaces are limited!

Join us at #FUELRoadshow, a new national finance and funding roadshow for business leaders and entrepreneurs. 🗓️ 28 January 2026. 📍Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh. If you want to get clearer, get ready, and get the right finance, FUEL will cut through the noise and tailor your path to secure the funding you need. Whether you’re seeking investment, grants, or finance, FUEL brings everything you need: access, insight, and connection, all in one place, all in one day. #Edinburgh #SME