David Craik

HR

HR & Management 6 min read

The healthy fast-food founders intent on securing the title of best employer in the food industry

Healthy fast-food restaurant Friska is used to serving up success – 23 per cent sales growth across six sites over the last year is proof of that. But like its customers, the company is hungry for more – and that means expansion in provincial cities like Birmingham and Manchester and then seeking private equity funding to launch a move on London.

IN

Interviews 3 min read

UK’s top entrepreneurs “plea” with next government to cut corporation tax

Britain’s top entrepreneurs have made five “pleas” to the next government ahead of the general election on 7 May, and cutting corporation tax to fuel economic growth has come out as the top desire.

OP

Opinion 3 min read

Is it possible to split the country up into easily recognised business centres or clusters

David Cameron’s pledge earlier this week to ensure that at least three out of every five new jobs are created outside of London and the South East raised some interesting points about regional strengths.

OP

Opinion 4 min read

Its been another strong week for fans of crowdfunding platforms

We’ve seen a huge £100m investment in Funding Circle, the launch of new site Emerging Crowd targeted at SMEs in developing markets and the creation of SyndicateRoom’s "Investors’ Academy".

IN

Interviews 6 min read

D3O: The Queen-honoured business exporting to over 40 countries

A year on from winning a Queen's Awards for Enterprise in the category of International Trade, we find out why smart materials company D3O is swapping the sunny south coast for the bright lights of London.

IN

Interviews 5 min read

Poundland acquisition of 99p Stores shows importance of Competition Markets Authority

Established as a way of determining whether particular mergers and acquisitions might have a detrimental effect on a specific sector, we look at the finer details of the Competition Markets Authority.

OP

Opinion 5 min read

New pension rules mean pots could be spent on being an entrepreneur, not just holidays

Over half of Brits heading towards retirement regret their lifetime career choices, according to a report by travel agency Planet Cruise.

OP

Opinion 6 min read

Leadership: A look at the optimum tenure length for a company’s chief

With David Cameron revealing that he would not stand for a third term as prime minister, Real Business looks at the issue of the optimum time for someone to be in charge. Where does the benefit of new ideas begin to slip into a stagnated approach

IN

Interviews 2 min read

Lack of management talent threatens business growth

In 2012 the Institute of Leadership and Management announced that business were being held back by a lack of management skills. SMEs are back on the acquisition trail but the lack of highly skilled managers still persists. This could threaten businesses's long-term growth.

OP

Opinion 5 min read

Help with deciding which party to vote for at the general election

There has arguably never been as much choice when it comes to selecting your local MP, and ultimately having a say on what the next government will look like. But what kind of head should you vote with, and what policies matter the most