The Small Business Commissioner appoints new board members to deal with late payments

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 problem and prepares for potential new regulatory powers.

Abigail Whittaker, Chief of Staff at Funding Circle, and Ryan Shorthouse, Founder and Executive Chairman of think tank Bright Blue, will officially join the board in April following a public nomination process. Both bring extensive experience in finance, communications and public policy at a time when the role of the Small Business Commissioner is expected to expand.

The appointment comes as the Government considers strengthening the powers of the Commissioner, Emma Jones (pictured), as part of a wider range of reforms outlined in the Small Business Programme. The move reflects growing concern over the scale of late payments across the UK economy, which is estimated to cost businesses £11 billion every year and contribute to the closure of up to 38 firms every day.

Whittaker joins from a strong background in financial services and corporate communications, having held senior roles at Funding Circle, Vanquis Banking Group, Metro Bank and TSB. His experience is expected to support OSBC’s increasing focus on digital tools and data-driven methods to improve payment processes, as well as strengthen cooperation with SMEs and lenders.

Shorthouse, on the other hand, brings deep expertise in public policy and economic reform. As founder of Bright Blue and a commissioner on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, he has played a key role in shaping UK policy debates. His experience in all research bodies and advisory bodies is expected to be very important as the Commissioner navigates through possible legislative changes and seeks to influence the way payments are made to all major companies.

The OSBC was established under the Business Act 2016 to tackle late payments and unfair payment practices in the private sector. Funding includes supporting small businesses in resolving payment disputes, promoting the Fair Payments Code, and encouraging large firms to improve supplier payment policies.

Emma Jones said the new appointment will strengthen the organization’s ability to carry out its core mission. He described the additions as bringing “deep experience in running businesses, national media and social media, and digital experience” to the office’s critical environment.

Both nominees emphasized the economic importance of addressing late payments. Whittaker highlighted the key role small businesses play in the UK economy and the pressures they face, noting that improving payment processes can directly support growth and resilience. Shorthouse, using his business management experience, described late payments as “stressful and crippling” and argued that improving cash flow throughout the economy was an “underappreciated” cause of productivity and investment.

The advisory board will provide strategic input on 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, and are appointed for a three-year term.

The appointment reflects a renewed focus on enforcement and a systematic 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 to a more interventionist approach.

For SMEs, which often operate on tight margins and limited reserves, fast and reliable payment cycles remain a critical issue. As policymakers look to unlock growth in the UK economy as a whole, improving the way money moves quickly between businesses is widely seen as a fundamental change.

With new expertise on his advisory board and the prospect of capacity expansion on the horizon, the Small Business Commissioner is placing himself at the center of that plan.