Podcast For Business with Steve Twynham

In the latest podcast in this mini series Beth from Jerry Green Dog Rescue discusses the charity's work rescuing, fostering and rehoming dogs, the costs involved, and how they support owners facing hardship including domestic abuse, financial pressures and hospice situations.

Beth explains fostering vs adoption, adoption fees, and how the charity collaborates with other organisations; she also shares how listeners can find more information at www.gerrygreendogs.org.uk or contact her at bethany.stukins@jerrygreendogs.org.uk.

Host Steve Twynham chats with Stephen Smith from Shadowfax Funding Solutions about asset finance — what it is, how it works and when it’s useful for businesses.

They explain the main types (hire purchase and lease), key considerations such as deposits, interest rates, balloon payments, tax differences, and minimum deal sizes (around £5,000). They also discuss challenges financing intangible assets like software or AI and why charities can be harder to fund.

Practical tips include using a broker to spot pitfalls and exploring alternative lending (refinancing assets or commercial mortgages) for automation or tech investments. For more information, contact Shadowfax Funding Solutions.

Siobhan Clarke explains the new Fair Work Agency, employer inspection powers, and key compliance issues for UK businesses — including national minimum wage rules, calculating holiday pay (including overtime and commission), rolled‑up holiday pay for term‑time and zero‑hours workers, and the new six‑year recordkeeping requirement.

Practical tips for small employers and employees on payslips, contracts, and where to get help.

In this episode Steve Twynham speaks with Rob Docherty about his chair-based workplace massage service that helps reduce neck, shoulder and back pain, improve mobility, and lower stress. Rob explains how sessions work (10–20 minutes, clients stay clothed), options for half-day or full-day visits, and suitability for small teams or events.

They discuss the wider benefits of massage, including reduced sick days from stress and musculoskeletal issues, emotional release during treatment, and practical next steps for booking Rob’s services.

Host Steve Twynham speaks with therapist Catherine Evans about the mind–body connection and how stress produces physical symptoms (jaw tension, shoulder pain, back pain, gut issues).
Catherine answers a number of listeners questions and discusses  the importance of self-awareness and early action, and share simple strategies—exercise, nature, social connection, breathing and relaxation—to reduce stress. Catherine also mentions her book "Loving Life in the Middle" and her practice  berkshiretherapist.co.uk.

 

This podcast episode focused on sustainability as part of a nine-episode series discussing core business values through the Give Grow Guide framework. Craig Dyer and Patricia discussed sustainability practices in their respective businesses, with Patricia sharing how Oakington Garden Centre near Cambridge implemented water harvesting systems and switched from automated irrigation to hand-watering to reduce waste and costs. Craig explained how sustainability considerations affect his accounting practice, particularly regarding AI adoption in the industry and the need for apprenticeship programs to ensure future professional development. The discussion covered environmental sustainability efforts like renewable energy providers and recycling, as well as business sustainability through government grants and long-term planning. Both participants expressed wishes for more government support to help small businesses implement sustainability changes, particularly regarding costs and resources needed for environmental improvements.

This episode explores practical advice on wills and probate: how many executors to appoint, the myth of the "will reading," how overseas assets affect inheritance tax and succession, what makes a will legally valid, and what happens if someone dies without a will.

Jemal Deo from Deo Law answers listeners' questions about probate notices, delays caused by foreign assets, witnesses, and the risks of intestacy, offering clear steps to simplify estate planning.

 

This podcast episode focused on learning and education in business, featuring Craig Dyer from C.A Dyer Accounts & Bookkeeping.
Craig discussed how his background as a teacher for 15 years influences his approach to supporting small local businesses through accounting services, including apprenticeship programs and continuous professional development.
Craig explained that CADAR's three-part learning strategy involves supporting early career professionals, providing CPD for team members, and helping partners understand business numbers and performance.
Craig shared insights about managing AI's impact on the accounting industry, emphasising that accountants who embrace AI tools will stay competitive while maintaining the crucial human element of explaining business stories to clients.
The conversation highlighted how Craig's educational background enables him to simplify complex accounting concepts for small business owners, making them more confident and reducing their stress around financial matters.