Welcome back to Business Matters. In this week’s edition, we’ll be exploring the businesses still offering remote work and why they think it gives them a competitive edge, plus we talk to Ella Mills about turning her blog into a powerhouse brand. 

The businesses bucking the return-to-office trend  

In early March, the retailer Boots informed its office-based staff that it would require them to be back in work five days a week from September. Its CEO, Seb James, argued that the office is “more fun and inspiring” when everyone is there, claiming it is better for company culture. 

He is not the only boss insisting staff make a return to the office, but with so many companies making a push to physically see more of their staff, is there an advantage to offering more remote and flexible work? We speak to some of the companies still offering remote work on why it’s important and how they see the debate unfolding. 

Read more here

How Ella Mills built Deliciously Ella  

Rock bottom is a painful term to describe the lowest point in a person’s life. But what can come with rock bottom is the opportunity to change and reinvent.  

In our latest interview, we sit down with Ella Mills to discuss how she took Deliciously Ella from a successful blog to a juggernaut brand that’s stocked in every supermarket across the country - and still expanding. 

From tackling the scrutiny that comes with having a large social media following, to forging your own path and leading a movement, Ella shared some of her biggest learnings from becoming a business leader. 

The full interview will be available to watch on our YouTube channel tomorrow - set your reminders here: 

More from Business Leader 

From property to the Premier League  

In our latest podcast, we speak to Kevin McCabe about how he built a property empire and then ended up running Sheffield United. 

Do wellness programmes really work?  

As National Stress Awareness Month comes to an end, we investigate company’s wellbeing programmes and ask if they really help tackle burnout and nurture a supportive workplace culture. 

Join us for a Growth Lending workshop:  

Are you ready to raise capital for your business but not sure where to start? This month, we’re holding a workshop in partnership with Growth Lending where we’ll be covering the debt versus equity debate and how you can create a combined strategy that is best for your business. 

We’ve brought together an expert panel to provide you with the guidance needed to secure funding and the route that might work best for your businesses.  

• Kimberly Martin, managing director, Growth Lending 
• Cara Sykes, legal director, DAC Beachcroft  
• Hayden Smith, partner, private debt advisory, Fuse Capital 
• Ashley Abrahams, head of origination, Guinness Funds 

Join us on LinkedIn on Thursday, 23 May at 11am. 

Register here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/raisingcapital-debtvsequity7190654719357329409/theater/  

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