SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy — and their people are the heartbeat.
At Lockton People Solutions, we know that when it comes to employee benefits, the challenge for SMEs isn’t about scale — it’s about impact. That’s why we’ve created this SME Benefits Report: to bring clarity to a space that’s often misunderstood.
We spoke to over 1,000 HR and benefits leaders across the SME landscape to understand what’s driving their decisions, how they’re shaping their strategies, and what this means for their people. What we found goes beyond budgets and headcount — it’s about how benefits are communicated, understood, and valued.
The report reveals a number of blind spots holding back potential progress. Emotional drivers, personal bias, and a lack of data-led insights or expert guidance are all shaping decisions — often unintentionally.
With the right guidance, benefits can do more than tick a box — they can genuinely improve the lives of your people and the success of your business. This report is designed to help SME leaders close those gaps and turn good intentions into meaningful impact.
Ready to check your blind spots? Read the report > (opens a new window)
Methodology: The research was conducted by Censuswide between June and July 2025, surveying 1000 senior decision makers responsible for employee benefits at UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs, defined as organisations with 10–250 employees).
