MAP Director chairs conference on the UK’s Small Business Strategy

In his role as Associate Programme Director at Wilton Park, MAP Director George Middleton designs, convenes and facilitates policy events focusing on international trade, resilience and growth.

The Small Business Strategy conference in March 2025 provided space for UK businesses, academics and policymakers to come together to discuss the strategy, which was announced at the Autumn Budget 2024 with the objective of supporting and growing SMEs.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) published its Plan for Small and Medium Sized Businesses in July 2025 and, alongside it, launch the new Business Growth Service – a simplified route to government support for all small and medium sized businesses across the UK. Held in partnership between Wilton Park and the UK government, this event was a staging post to both the Plan, incorporating policy areas such as access to finance and entrepreneurship, and the Service, shaping them in collaboration with participants.

George brings his experience in both the public and private sector to support Wilton Park’s core objective of bringing together experts and policy-makers to address the most complex global challenges.

For more information, please make contact via: info@mapukinternational.com.