Martin McTague, OBE, National Chair, FSB

Ahead of his keynote at the BCR Conference, we sat down with Martin McTague for an exclusive pre-conference webcast to give audiences a flavour of what’s to come on Day 1.

In a wide-ranging conversation, he challenged some of the biggest assumptions shaping UK SME policy. What’s the single biggest myth policymakers still believe about small businesses, and how is it distorting decision-making? If net-zero is non-negotiable, how do we prevent small firms from carrying a disproportionate share of the cost and compliance burden? And after years of debate around payment culture, what will it actually take to end late payments for good, and who must be held accountable to make that happen? McTague’s answers were candid, thought-provoking, and firmly focused on ensuring small businesses are not an afterthought in national policy.

The discussion also looked ahead, asking: if he were setting the UK’s SME policy agenda from scratch tomorrow, what three reforms would he prioritise to make Britain the most competitive place in the world to start and scale a business? His response sets the tone for what promises to be a standout session at this year’s conference – practical, ambitious, and unapologetically pro-enterprise. This webcast is just a taster. To hear Martin McTague live and be part of the wider conversation shaping the future of UK SMEs, grab your tickets now.