
ST100 entrepreneurs on the challenges and chances ahead
How to expand overseas, hire a seasoned leadership team and harness technology are all things on the minds of the leaders of some of Britain's fastest-growing companies.
Ten of the founders and directors featured in this year's Sunday Times 100 fast-growth company ranking sat down with the Entrepreneurs Network to share what was working for them — and what was not — amid heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Each faced sector-specific challenges, but common themes emerged. Among them was how to navigate international growth, particularly in the US, where President Trump's more onerous trade tariffs threats have frayed nerves.
Trip, the wellness brand best known for its soft drinks containing cannabidiol (CBD), has managed largely to avoid Trump's sweeping tariffs because it uses local supply chains in each market in which it operates.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Reuters
36 minutes ago
- Reuters
South Korea exports rebound on tech boost but US, China shipments extend losses
SEOUL, July 1 (Reuters) - South Korea's exports rose in June on the back of strong tech demand, after falling in May for the first time in four months, trade data showed on Tuesday, though shipments to the U.S. and China remained weak amid tariff uncertainty. Exports from Asia's fourth-largest economy, an early bellwether for global trade, rose 4.3% from the same month last year to $59.80 billion, marginally weaker than the median 4.7% rise tipped in a Reuters poll of economists. In May, exports dipped 1.3%, as shipments to the U.S. and China dropped more than 8% each on downward pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats. Shipments to the U.S. fell 0.5% last month, extending losses for a third consecutive month, while those to China were also down for a second month, dropping 2.7%. Exports to the European Union rose 14.7%, while those to Southeast Asian countries gained 2.1%. "Volatility in U.S. tariff policy and economic recovery uncertainty are expected to persist in the second half," South Korean Industry and Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun said, promising an all-out response to U.S. tariffs. South Korea will seek an extension to the 90-day pause in U.S. tariffs that is set to expire next week, as negotiations are likely to continue past the deadline set between Seoul and Washington, a senior South Korean trade official said on Monday. Exports of semiconductors extended gains for a fourth straight month by rising 11.6%, but it was the slowest in the streak. Automobiles rose 2.3%, as robust electric-vehicle demand in Europe offset losses in U.S. sales, according to the ministry. Imports rose 3.3% to $50.72 billion, bringing the monthly trade balance to a surplus of $9.08 billion, the biggest since September 2018.


Times
an hour ago
- Times
Food prices drive shop price inflation to highest in a year
Monthly shop price inflation rose in June for the first time since July last year, driven by higher food prices as businesses passed on rising employment costs to shoppers. Food price inflation rose to 3.7 per cent in June compared with the same period last year and against 2.8 per cent in May, according to figures collected by the British Retail Consortium and NielsenIQ. • Grocery prices rise at fastest pace in more than a year Overall shop price inflation increased to 0.4 per cent compared with June 2024 and a year-on-year decline in prices of 0.1 per cent in May. Non-food prices were 1.2 per cent lower in June compared with a year ago, a narrower decline than the 1.5 per cent recorded in May. It is the first time that overall monthly shop price inflation has risen since July 2024. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said shops were having to pass on higher employment costs arising from the government's tax and minimum wage changes which came into force in April. 'Within three months of the costs imposed by last autumn's budget kicking in, headline shop prices have returned to inflation for the first time in close to a year,' she said. She added that the effect of government policy on prices had been 'accelerated by geopolitical tensions and impacts of climate change'. Meat prices had been affected by high wholesale prices and more expensive labour costs, while fruit and vegetable prices increased due to hot, dry weather reducing harvest yields, she said. Higher food prices increase pressure on low-income households in the UK, who spend a relatively larger share of their monthly income on necessities. Deflation in non-food goods continued as retailers cut prices, particularly in DIY and gardening 'so customers could make the most of the sunshine', the consortium said. Dickinson called on the government to 'find ways to alleviate the cost pressures bearing down on retailers' including via business rates reform. The official overall inflation rate for the UK remained at 3.4 per cent in the year to May, the highest for more than a year and above the Bank of England's target rate of 2 per cent. Food prices are at their highest since February 2024, according to official figures. The conflict between Iran and Israel has prompted concerns that higher oil prices could fuel a fresh round of inflation.


Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
German antitrust watchdog clears Lufthansa stake in airBaltic
BERLIN, June 30 (Reuters) - Germany's antitrust watchdog has approved Lufthansa's ( opens new tab acquisition of a minority stake in Latvia-based carrier airBaltic, it said on Monday. "We had to clear the merger because on the whole, the routes affected constitute so-called minor markets with very low domestic sales volumes," antitrust agency head Andreas Mundt said in a statement.