The Business Class

About the Series

The Business Class Preview

CNBC brings together one of the UK's most successful and dynamic entrepreneurs, James Caan and six of the country's most exciting start-ups. The result is a new seven-part series which discusses the key issues facing today's SME's, the resources available to them and what is needed to become profitable.

Each 30 minute episode features an innovative business which is seeking guidance to help it grow in today's market place. With James' incredible track record of creating successful companies he uses his first-hand knowledge to discuss the SME's challenges with the experts, each providing innovative information and growth strategy. But how will the SME's react to the advice? Can James and his experts help boost the profits and improve its business model?

Latest Show

The Business Class: Breaking SME Boundaries
By: James Caan
Friday, 30 Nov 2012 | 11:49 AM ET

In our final episode of The Business Class, James Caan is joined by CNBC anchor Ross Westgate as they invite a panel of leading business figures to debate the key issues from the series at a macro level. Over the past six weeks we have considered issues of government support for SMEs, bank lending habits, the future for British manufacturing and the right time to expand a small business abroad.

The Companies

The Business Class: Lux Fix
By: James Caan
Tuesday, 9 Oct 2012 | 5:41 PM ET

Lux-Fix are a members-only ‘e-tailer’ offering luxury current-season fashion products from the most exciting new and established British designers. Founded in 2011, their USP is providing customers with current season offers from top luxury fashion brands via weekly ‘flash sales’. Peter Jensen, Hannah Martin and Pringle are some of the many labels available on the site which already has over 5,000 subscribers.
The Business Class: Kwickscreen
By: James Caan
Tuesday, 9 Oct 2012 | 5:41 PM ET

Kwickscreen create portable retractable and bendable screens and room dividers, Kwickscreen maximises space in hospitals, schools and offices via their use of RolaTube Technologies and the design has led to its creator winning a James Dyson Award for innovation.
The Business Class: Imagematch
By: James Caan
Tuesday, 9 Oct 2012 | 5:41 PM ET

Imagematch Social Enterprise CIC is a training company working with young and long-term unemployed people to support them in the transition to permanent employment. Since March 2010 they have placed over 200 candidates from Shropshire and mid Wales in training, with 80% of them securing on-going employment, further training or qualifications. Between 75 and 100 businesses are on their roster of employers, and the founder believes expansion through partnership is likely.
The Business Class: Shutl
By: James Caan
Tuesday, 9 Oct 2012 | 5:41 PM ET

Shutl are a web-based technology company who aggregate courier delivery options in order to deliver customer’s online shopping within 90 minutes of purchase or within an hour long window of their choice. Shutl now work with many prominent retailers including Argos, Oasis, Warehouse, Laithwaites Wine and Coast. Recent milestones, include last year’s £650,000 funding round and an exclusive distribution deal with Maplin. In 2011 the company was London centric, but they now cover 70% of the UK, looking to spread to 90% by the end of 2012.
The Business Class: BrewDog
By: James Caan
Tuesday, 9 Oct 2012 | 5:41 PM ET

BrewDog is a range of craft beers, produced in the UK at the company’s own brewery in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. Its rapid expansion has seen the company diversify and open up a chain of Brewdog bars across the country, with new branches planned for Birmingham and London at the end of 2012.
The Business Class: Ovo Energy
By: James Caan
Tuesday, 9 Oct 2012 | 5:41 PM ET

Ovo are a Gloucestershire-based independent energy supplier offering a fresh perspective in a competitive market by promoting themselves as a cheaper, greener and simpler than their competitors. They offer two tariffs – one with 15% renewable energy, and one with 100% renewable energy. Ovo’s specific mission is to become most trusted energy supplier by 2020, fitting in with the governments targets of 15% renewable energy by 2020.
The Business Class: Breaking SME Boundaries
By: James Caan
Friday, 30 Nov 2012 | 11:49 AM ET

In our final episode of The Business Class, James Caan is joined by CNBC anchor Ross Westgate as they invite a panel of leading business figures to debate the key issues from the series at a macro level. Over the past six weeks we have considered issues of government support for SMEs, bank lending habits, the future for British manufacturing and the right time to expand a small business abroad.

Slideshow

10 Champions of British Enterprise
By: Bianca Schlotterbeck
Thursday, 22 Nov 2012 | 9:54 AM ET

These 10 U.K. entrepreneurs went from minor start-ups to globally recognized brands.

The Business Class Extras

How Tough Is It to Do Business in Britain? Tuesday, 13 Nov 2012 | 1:44 AM ET

The U.K is the seventh easiest country in which to do business, according to a World Bank report, but many entrepreneurs highlight the difficulties small businesses still face in the country.
UK Tries Another Tack to Jumpstart Funding to Small Business Friday, 26 Oct 2012 | 2:57 AM ET

It’s a timeless question: how do you fund a start-up when you have no capital? But for entrepreneurs in the U.K. funding has become especially harder to find since the credit crisis.
Do Women Entrepreneurs Have a Different Idea of Success? Wednesday, 17 Oct 2012 | 9:39 AM ET

A report by Britain's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) into ambition among the SME sector found gender to be one of the most powerful “explanatory variables” when it came to an entrepreneur’s vision. Women may be “less driven by wealth” than their male counterparts, the report suggested.
Corner Shop vs. Corner Office: Should Graduates Rethink? Wednesday, 17 Oct 2012 | 11:36 AM ET

A career in finance was long regarded as a golden ticket to the future, bringing enviable wealth and status. But news of exhausted traders, immoral bankers and huge job cuts at investment firms has graduates wondering if a career in banking is really something to aspire to.
Swap Employee Rights for Shares? UK Firms Wary Friday, 19 Oct 2012 | 5:38 AM ET

A murmur of discontent has rumbled round Britain’s small and medium enterprises after Britain’s ruling party proposed an idea recently that would allow small companies to offer their employees shares in return for lower protections from the country’s expansive employment laws.