Liquidations slow down in Q4, but it's not over yet
By Jason Hesse
As Britain finally dragged itself out of the recession, the number of company liquidations in England and Wales fell last quarter, despite 2009 recording the highest number of liquidations in over 15 years.

"Private equity has helped us go from strength to strength"
By Jason Hesse
Despite the bad press that private equity has received in recent months, some entrepreneurs continue to relish the opportunities that external investment has given to their businesses.

EIB opens doors to cheaper funding
By Jason Hesse
Entrepreneurs looking to raise funds to grow their businesses should consider a European Investment Bank (EIB) loan, as the Treasury announces that nearly 3,000 SMEs have already been approved for £700m of funding.

Small businesses hit by late-paying government
By Jason Hesse
Despite the introduction of the Prompt Payment Code a year ago, government agencies still fail to pay small businesses on time, putting some entrepreneurs at risk.

Small firms' tax anger as HMRC deadline looms
By Jason Hesse
With just a couple of days left until the January 31 deadline for online submission of self-assessment forms, a poll carried out by the Forum of Private Business (FPB) shows the deep anger felt by small firms against the current tax regime.

Pets at Home sold for £950m
By Dan Matthews
Cheshire-based superstore chain Pets at Home has been bought by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts private equity group, owners of Boots and Toys R Us, for £950m.

Betfair prepares for a £1.5bn float
By Kate Pritchard
Betfair, the online betting exchange run by Ed Wray and Andrew Black, is reported to be considering a £1.5bn stock market flotation in the autumn.

CBI demands “sustained growth”
By Dan Matthews
CBI director general Richard Lambert has warned that unless economic growth is sustained for the next five years the next generation of entrepreneurs will “miss out on life chances”.

Charlie Mullins on bankers and inflated egos
By Charlie Mullins
Well done Barack Obama for putting the hard word on the banks. It's something that Gordon Brown and his sidekick Alistair Darling seem completely unable (or unprepared) to do.

We’re out of recession, so why the long face?
By Dan Matthews
Here’s a reason to be cheerful if ever there was one: The worst recession in 80 years is coming to an end – so why are economists still miserable?