Investing, Business
Dividends vs salary - why getting it wrong can hurt
18 February 2026
Now that the self-assessment deadline has passed, many directors are taking the opportunity to review how they extract profits from their companies.
4 minutesBusiness Insights
Sometimes, timely information or relevant insight into what others have achieved can nudge you in the right direction or reveal a business opportunity that may otherwise have passed you by.
This insight can act as a catalyst for change. With this in mind, we have developed a communications programme designed for business owners to inspire, educate and motivate you to seek growth opportunities and challenge the obstacles that may constrain your potential.
When you sign up for our E-Briefing Service you will recieve a verification email with a link to join. You will need to ensure that Business insights is checked in order to recieve relevant insights for you and your business.
You can sign up to our E-Briefing service at the bottom of this page.
Below are a selection of the articles we email to our clients each month.
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23 articles
Investing, Business, Retirement
Will your business fund the retirement you deserve?
30 January 2026
Will your business fund the retirement you deserve? “Unfortunately, the current value of your business isn’t enough for you to retire” is never an easy conversation to have with a business owner. But it’s a familiar one for us here at Elephants Child. The good news is that there’s often a great deal that can be done to improve a business’s value and plan an exit strategy that supports your financial freedom figure.
3 minutesBusiness, Investing
How business owners should approach 2026
9 January 2026
Martin Brown, CEO of business growth advisory firm Elephants Child, shares his tips for business owners to successfully navigate 2026, especially those considering when and how they will exit their business.
4 minutesBusiness, Investing
Is an Employee Ownership Trust still a good exit option for business owners?
17 December 2025
In the Autumn Budget, the government announced a major change to the tax relief for business owners selling to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). This came into immediate effect and for anyone in the process of selling to an EOT it was not a welcome announcement. We look at what’s changed and considers whether EOTs are still a good option for exiting your business.
3 minutesBusiness, Investing
Autumn Budget: What small business owners need to know
27 November 2025
The latest Budget, delivered amid unusual drama, landed with the promise of tackling NHS waiting lists, easing the cost of living, and reducing national debt. Marketed as a Budget “for working people,” it also claimed to back entrepreneurs, risk-takers, and the SME community. But for business owners looking to grow or exit, the substance behind the speeches tells a more complicated story.
4 minutesBusiness, Investing
Could a buy-and-build strategy help you to grow your business?
21 November 2025
Growth means different things to different businesses. It’s worth taking time to define what it means for you, and how best to achieve it. Once that’s clear, the strategic questions follow naturally.
5 minutesBusiness
The right age to start a business?
6 November 2025
At Elephants Child, we work with business owners of all ages and being an entrepreneur at any stage in life is hard work. So, is there ever a “right time” to start a business? In our experience, we see different challenges for those in their 20s compared with those in their 50s. Business Growth Advisor Steve Bird, who has built and sold three of his own technology businesses, explores how age impacts start-ups.
4 minutesBusiness
Timing your business sale: November 2025 vs June 2026 - What's the financial difference?
15 October 2025
Business owners looking to sell their business will face higher tax rates from April of next year – so could it be worth considering bringing a planned sale forward?
4 minutesBusiness
What could the Autumn Budget mean for growing SMEs? Thinking ahead with head, heart and hand
1 October 2025
For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) thinking about expansion, the Autumn Budget should arguably be used as more than just a policy update. It’s also a moment to pause, reflect and prepare for what’s next.
4 minutesBusiness
Setting foundations to expand your business
6 August 2025
Kevin Petley, Business Growth Advisor at Elephants Child regularly works with businesses in developing plans for expansion. He shares his insights and tips for other business owners looking to grow.
4 minutes