The Office of the Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) has appointed two new advisory board members as it steps up efforts to tackle the UK’s persistent late payment crisis and prepares for potential new regulatory powers.
Abigail Whittaker, Chief of Staff at Funding Circle, and Ryan Shorthouse, Founder and Executive Chair of think tank Bright Blue, will formally join the board in April following a public appointments process. Both bring extensive experience across finance, communications and public policy at a time when the role of the Small Business Commissioner is expected to expand.
The appointments come as the Government considers strengthening the powers of the Commissioner, Emma Jones (pictured), as part of a broader package of reforms outlined in its Small Business Plan. The move reflects mounting concern over the scale of late payments across the UK economy, which are estimated to cost businesses £11 billion annually and contribute to the closure of around 38 firms every day.
Whittaker joins 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 is expected to support the OSBC’s increasing focus on digital tools and data-driven approaches to improving payment practices, as well as strengthening engagement with SMEs and lenders.
Shorthouse, meanwhile, brings deep expertise in public policy and economic reform. As founder of Bright Blue and a commissioner at the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, he has played a prominent role in shaping UK policy debates. His experience across think tanks and advisory bodies is expected to be particularly valuable as the Commissioner navigates potential legislative changes and seeks to influence payment behaviour across large corporates.
The OSBC was established under the Enterprise Act 2016 to address late payments and unfair payment practices in the private sector. Its remit includes supporting small businesses in resolving payment disputes, promoting the Fair Payment Code, and encouraging larger firms to improve supplier payment terms.
Emma Jones said the new appointments would strengthen the organisation’s ability to deliver on its core mission. She described the additions as bringing “deep experience of running businesses, national media and communications expertise, and digital know-how” at a critical juncture for the office.
Both appointees emphasised the economic importance of addressing late payments. Whittaker highlighted the central role small businesses play in the UK economy and the pressures they face, noting that improving payment practices can directly support growth and resilience. Shorthouse, drawing on his own experience of running a business, described late payments as “stressful and crippling” and argued that improving cash flow across the economy is an “underappreciated” driver of productivity and investment.
The advisory board will provide strategic input on the 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, with appointments set for a three-year term.
The timing of the appointments signals a renewed focus on enforcement and systemic change in payment culture. While the OSBC has historically relied on guidance and voluntary codes, the Government’s recent consultation on enhanced powers suggests a shift towards a more interventionist approach.
For SMEs, which often operate on tight margins and limited cash reserves, faster and more reliable payment cycles remain a critical issue. As policymakers look to unlock growth across the UK economy, improving how quickly money moves between businesses is increasingly being viewed as a foundational reform.
With new expertise on its advisory board and the prospect of expanded powers on the horizon, the Small Business Commissioner is positioning itself at the centre of that agenda.
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Small business commissioner appoints new advisory board members amid push on late payments