Opportunities in Adversity 2024 — Beauhurst x Charles Stanley

In collaboration with Charles Stanley, we have delved into the impact that periods of economic hardship have on entrepreneurship in the UK.

The UK has experienced its fair share of tough times, from the global financial crisis of 2008 to the COVID-19 pandemic and the current cost of living crisis. This report highlights the resilience of entrepreneurs throughout these times and demonstrates how they rise to challenges and find opportunities when others see problems. We feature some of the innovative businesses that were born of these periods and have continued to thrive.

Having analysed the impact of events in the past, we then look to the future, exploring the potential that artificial intelligence has to shape the future of businesses. While some worry about the impact of artificial intelligence, business owners appear to be optimistic about the ability of artificial intelligence to make their business more productive and profitable.

Download the report

Inside the report

Opportunities in Adversity 2024 — successes founded during COVID-19

Opportunities in Adversity 2024 — the potential of AI for businesses

About the authors

Henry Whorwood
Managing Director
Henry leads our Beauhurst Insights team, and is an expert on equity finance and high-growth business. He's worked on briefs for the likes of Barclays, SyndicateRoom, Innovate UK, Smith & Williamson and British Business Bank. He regularly gives presentations on market trends at events around the UK.
Daniel Robinson
Senior Research Manager
Daniel conducts data manipulation and analysis as part of the Research & Consultancy team. He has a background in business analysis and commercial copywriting in Australia and the UK, having worked at The Sunday Times Fast Track, Oxford University Press, and advertising network MullenLowe Group.
Freya Hyde
Senior Designer
Freya performs data visualisation and graphic design in the Research & Consultancy team. She has worked on projects for clients including Barclays, EY and JP Morgan. Freya holds a BA in History (International) from the University of Leeds, which included a year at Fudan University in Shanghai.
Bila Turay
Research Manager
Bila handles data analysis and visualisation, as well as project management. Before joining Beauhurst, Bila worked at an R&D Tax consultancy. She graduated from the University of Warwick with a Master of Chemistry (MChem).
Advone Katsande
Graduate Associate
Advone writes copy, and performs data analysis and visualisation. She has written on the nature of Venture Capital Trusts, and worked on projects for Rawnet and Deloitte. She read Law at the University of East Anglia, where she acquired her undergraduate LLB.
Blanca Valencia
Graduate Associate
Blanca handles data analysis and visualisation, as well as copywriting. Prior to joining Beauhurst, Blanca graduated from Queen Mary University of London, where she was awarded a BSc in Computer Science with Management (ITMB).
Harry Walker
Graduate Associate
Harry conducts data analysis and visualisation. Prior to joining Beauhurst, Harry graduated from Loughborough University, where he was awarded a BSc in Economics, having also completed a Placement Year working in Risk Analysis at the Bank of England.
Justin Tsui
Associate
Justin handles data analysis and visualisation, as well as copywriting. Before joining, Justin graduated from Imperial College London, where he was awarded a MSc in Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology. He has also previously worked in consulting and academia.
Evangeline Luckhurst
Designer
Evangeline produces graphic design and data visualisation in the Beauhurst Insights team. Prior to joining Beauhurst, Evangeline graduated from University for the Creative Arts, where she was awarded a BA (Hons) in Illustration and Animation.