The Office of the Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) has appointed two new advisory board members to strengthen its efforts to address the UK’s ongoing late payment crisis and prepare for possible new regulatory powers.
Abigail Whittaker, chief of staff at Funding Circle, and Ryan Shorthouse, founder and chief executive of think tank Bright Blue, will officially join the board following a public appointment process in April. Both bring extensive experience in finance, communications and public policy at a time when the Small Business Commissioner’s role is expected to expand.
The appointments come as the Government considers strengthening the powers of Commissioner Emma Jones (pictured) as part of a wider package of reforms set out in its Small Business Plan. The move reflects growing concern about the scale of late payments across the UK economy, costing businesses an estimated £11 billion a year and leading to the closure of around 38 businesses every day.
Whittaker comes with a strong background in financial services and corporate communications, having held senior roles at Funding Circle, Vanquis Banking Group, Metro Bank and TSB. Her experience will support OSBC’s increasing focus on digital tools and data-driven approaches to improve payment practices, as well as strengthen collaboration with SMEs and lenders.
Shorthouse, meanwhile, brings extensive expertise in public policy and economic reform. As founder of Bright Blue and Commissioner of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, he has played a prominent role in shaping policy debates in the UK. His experience in think tanks and advisory committees is expected to be particularly valuable as the commissioner steers potential legislative changes and seeks to influence the payment behavior of large companies.
The OSBC was established under the Enterprise Act 2016 to combat late payments and unfair payment practices in the private sector. His responsibilities include helping small businesses resolve payment disputes, promoting the Fair Payment Code and encouraging larger companies to improve their suppliers’ payment terms.
Emma Jones said the new appointments would strengthen the organization’s ability to deliver on its core mission. She described the additions as “extensive business leadership experience, national media and communications expertise, and digital know-how” at a critical time for the office.
Both appointments emphasized the economic importance of tackling late payments. Whittaker highlighted the central role of small businesses in the UK economy and the pressures they face, noting that improving payment practices can directly support growth and resilience. Shorthouse described late payments as “stressful and debilitating” and argued that improving cash flow across the economy was an “underrated” driver of productivity and investment, drawing on his own experiences of running a business.
The Advisory Board will provide strategic input into OSBC’s operations, including its dispute resolution services, governance and initiatives such as the Fair Payment Code. Members are expected to attend quarterly meetings and contribute to broader policy and operational discussions. The appointments are for a term of three years.
The timing of the appointments signals a renewed focus on enforcement and systemic changes in payments culture. While the OSBC has historically relied on guidance and voluntary codes, the government’s recent consultation on expanded powers suggests a shift towards a more interventionist approach.
For SMEs, which often operate on thin margins and limited cash reserves, faster and more reliable payment cycles remain a crucial issue. As policymakers look to stimulate growth across the UK economy, improving the speed of money transfers between businesses is increasingly seen as a fundamental reform.
With new expertise on his advisory board and the prospect of expanded powers on the horizon, the Small Business Commissioner is positioning himself at the center of this agenda.
