TikTok has established a new SME Council to offer Britain’s small businesses greater influence in the evolving digital economy, uniting entrepreneurs, founders, and content creators who have capitalised on the platform for growth. At the council’s inaugural meeting in Stoke-on-Trent town hall, 20 small and medium-sized business owners from across the UK gathered to exchange experiences and draft a manifesto for the government, set to be published this autumn.
TikTok’s initiative aims to shape the future of small business by providing entrepreneurs with a platform to share insights, impact policy, and improve their understanding of digital tools to reach wider audiences. With over [1.5 million UK SMEs active on TikTok](https://bmmagazine.co.uk/in-business/advice/smes-told-to-think-ahead-before-tying-up-with-social-media-platform-threads/), the platform has become a significant force in Britain’s business landscape.
The council features diverse industries — “a butcher, a baker, and a candlestick maker,” says Ali Law, director of public policy and government affairs for TikTok UK and Ireland. Among the members is Rachel Spence, founder of Bear Burners in South Shields, who joined the council to advocate for clearer, more pragmatic government guidance for novice founders. She noted, “Small businesses constitute a significant portion of the UK’s economy, but often you’re left to figure things out independently.”
Other attendees found the TikTok-hosted event a refreshing contrast to traditional business organisations. Louise Rogerson, chief clinical officer at Manchester’s sleep-tech company Levitex, remarked, “It felt modern and welcoming. Sometimes Chambers of Commerce can be daunting for early-stage founders who don’t fit the conventional mould.”
Dominique Bogle Khan of Hair Anatomy, a Birmingham-based synthetic wigs brand, highlighted the group’s solidarity. “Entrepreneurship can be isolating. It was reassuring to know others have faced similar challenges.”
The SME Council’s formation coincides with growing interest in “social commerce” — purchasing directly via social media. According to Retail Economics, over 25% of UK consumers made a purchase through a social platform in 2024, with TikTok Shop and Instagram Shopping leading the way.
TikTok envisions the SME Council as both a policy advisory body and a support network, enhancing the digital presence of small business owners often ignored in official trade groups. Feedback from the council will guide TikTok’s platform development and help inform the government about the challenges and opportunities facing UK entrepreneurs in the social-first economy.
While TikTok is not the most conventional entity in UK business policymaking, its impact on the modern retail and small business environment is increasingly prominent. As more businesses turn to video-focused platforms for expansion, the SME Council may wield a new kind of influence — less boardroom, more grassroots — yet equally impactful.
[Read more about TikTok’s SME Council initiative](https://bmmagazine.co.uk/news/tiktok-launches-sme-council-to-elevate-small-business-voices-and-boost-digital-growth/).
