Smaller UK Firms are Just Faking It: GDPR, Cybersecurity & Skipping Brexit
Forget all that Brexit talk, and it wasn’t even a rumor. According to Zurich’s newest broker survey, the real problem for most small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) is juggling GDPR compliance, cyber threats, and financial hiccups – while Brexit gets a polite shrug.
Key Numbers That Make You Pause
- 24 % of brokers report that their SME clients now ask about GDPR on a regular basis.
- Only 10 % of brokers are hearing regular Brexit questions.
- 35 % say “They never ask about Brexit.”
- 43 % of brokers noticed a surge in GDPR‑cover inquiries after the regulation kicked in.
- 80 % of brokers said clients are worried about late payments and legal claims.
- 37 % of brokers give regular advice on cyber‑security.
Why the Brexit Talk Just Dropped Off
Paul Tombs, Head of SME Proposition at Zurich, summed it up in a single line:
“Small businesses are swamped. Even if Brexit lives in the headlines, other risk areas are taking the spotlight.”
In the last few years, it’s been a puzzle for UK firms. They’re juggling a dozen plates in a spinning gazebo – no wonder decision‑making feels like confetti in a tornado.
What’s Really on Everyone’s Plate?
- GDPR – Because a second chance to fix compliance mistakes is too pricey.
- Cybersecurity – Who didn’t want to guard against those pesky hacker “mood‑humours”?
- Financial risk – Late payments, legal claims, and crypto‑craziness keep everyone on the edge.
- Brexit – A polite “Zen‑chrome, thanks for asking” so to speak.
Bottom line? Small UK businesses are trying to keep the engines running while the world watches the big stuff happen. With limited resources, they’ll put GDPR, cyber‑threats, and late payments high on the list – and take a meager “note” on Brexit.
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