Corporate governance Grass Roots entrepreneur receives an MBE for social responsibility
By Kate Pritchard
David Evans set up Herfordshire-based performance improvement firm Grass Roots in the eighties. Today, he turns over a whopping £247m, employs over 1,000 people and has just become one of only three people in the country to receive an MBE for services to CSR.

Finance and banking Foresight invests in Silvigen
By Real Deals & Real Business
Silvigen, a supplier of biomass fuels for use in the power industry, will use £1.75m from Foresight to finance the development of a processing plant in Goole, North Humberside.

Employment Countdown to Human Capital Awards
By Catherine Woods
At last year’s CBI/Real Business Human Capital Awards, prison administrator Vicky O’Dea was crowned the ‘people’s champion’.

Carbon footprint Farmer focuses on versatile local product
By Catherine Woods
Farmer Andy Fussel has turned a low-value crop into a product that appeals to those who want to lower their carbon footprint, the health conscious and even Michelin-star chefs.

Business franchise Nine ways to grow your business through franchising
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
Brian Duckett, MD of Howarth Franchising, gives his top tips on franchising your business.

Office space Big move brings rewards for bib start-up
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
When Lara Boyle moved her luxury bib firm Beauty & the Bib out of the family home and into an industrial business park, turnover doubled and productivity went sky high.

Sales and marketing Digital publishing entrepreneur sweeps the board
By Kate Pritchard
Richard Stephenson's London-based digital publishing firm Yudu has scooped five industry awards in the past year – and won £140,000 of new business as a result.

Business woman Investment boosts AstleyClarke.com
By Real Deals & Real Business
Bec Astley Clarke's online luxury jewellery business has received £2.75m from venture firm Index Ventures to help improve systems and infrastructure, and grow the customer base.

Sales and marketing Manufacturer drives a hard bargain
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
Mark Crosier has a hard time winning new business. Not because of the competition: there is none. No, the technology he sells is so new that companies don’t know they need it.

Business franchise Credit crunch forces entrepreneur down franchise path
By Catherine Woods
The founder of salad bar chain Tossed, Vincent McKevitt, has decided to franchise the business in order to accelerate growth as the economy slows down and the credit crunch starts to really bite.

Carbon footprint IT solution saves energy and money
By Catherine Woods
Sumir Karayi, the CEO and founder of £15m-turnover technology company 1E, reckons one of his solutions could help the UK reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 10 per cent.

Business education Higher education: a sweet spot for chocolate entrepreneur
By Kate Pritchard
Hotel Chocolat entrepreneur Angus Thirlwell has one big regret. He wishes he’d taken a strategy course at Cranfield School of Management earlier in his career. “I used to spend too long meddling in the day-to-day running of the business,” he admits.

Leadership Low cost gym business gains £1m investment
By Real Deals & Real Business
A revolutionary new gym chain has opened today in London as social mission venture capital firm Bridges Ventures announces it has invested £1m into the business.

Finance and banking Thai restaurant chain gets PE backing
By Real Deals & Real Business
The Thai restaurant chain launched by Wagamama founder Alan Yau has attracted backing from private equity firm Phoenix Equity Partners in a deal that values the London-based business at £21.5m.

Business woman Boyle bags bib niche in baby fashion
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
Lara Boyle founded Beauty & the Bib back in 2003 to jazz up the dowdy bib industry. Five years on, her kitchen table start-up turns over £300,000 and sells into Japan and Dubai.