Liz Barclay – Career & Public Service in Focus
Present Appointments
IoD Special Adviser: Small Business & Entrepreneurship – As of 1 July 2025, Liz Barclay was appointed Special Adviser to the Institute of Directors (IoD), with a mission to advise on how SMEs can leverage technology, foster growth mindsets, and build risk appetite to thrive[1]
Founder, Business111.com – Liz launched Business111.com, an online resource tailored to micro and small businesses, offering practical support, expert advice, and policy connections.
International Council for Digital Trade & Innovation – While explicit profiles are scarce, Liz is known to engage with international bodies promoting digital trade, innovation, and SME empowerment—as aligned with her public advocacy and board work.[2]
Non‑Executive Director, Trustmark – Since April 2024, she has served as an NED on the Trustmark Board, contributing governance oversight and consumer-related insight[3]
Chair, Fair by Design Campaign – Liz also chairs the Fair by Design campaign, which tackles the “poverty premium” by promoting fairer pricing and financial services for low-income consumers [4]
Liz Barclay’s career has been rooted in public service—from front-line advice at Citizens Advice through decades of journalism and broadcasting, to government and third-sector leadership roles. Her current focus is entirely aligned with that ethos: supporting entrepreneurship, consumer fairness, and SME growth through her roles at the IoD, Business111, Trustmark, and related boards.
Her commitment to helping businesses get paid on time, advocating for financial inclusion, and supporting consumer rights is both consistent and commendable making her a trusted figure across media, policy, and business advocacy domains.
Citizens Advice: Debt Adviser & CEO – Liz’s career began at Citizens Advice Bureau, where she served as debt adviser, tutor, and eventually CEO across multiple bureaux. Her focus on consumer welfare and small business experience took root here. [5]
Broadcasting for BBC: Consumer and Business Affairs – Liz spent over two decades as a broadcaster and producer:
- A longtime presenter on BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours, covering consumer affairs and personal finance.[6]
- Hosted radio shows on Radio 5 Live (e.g. Money Check, Nightcall, Work It Out) and BBC Radio 4 (In Business), as well as television programmes like Pound for Pound, The Small Business Programme, The Business Hour, and Talking Heads [7]
Her clear, empathetic delivery made her a trusted voice on everyday financial issues, employment rights, and consumer protections.
Author and Media Contributor – She has authored or co‑written books targeting small business and personal finance, including titles in the “Business the … Way” series and “Employment Law for Small Businesses For Dummies”.[8] Liz has contributed regularly to publications like Moneywise, The Mail, The Express, BBC News Online Business, and News of the World [9]
[1] Great British UK Talent+10Institute of Directors+10Credit Connect+10.
[2] https://www.iod.com/biographies/liz-barclay/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[3] LinkedIn+1Institute of Directors+1.
[4] Great British UK Talent+2GOV.UK+2Institute of Directors+2.
[5] Great British UK Talent+3openbankingexcellence.org+3PeopleMatter.TV+3.
[6] openbankingexcellence.orgPeopleMatter.TV+1Great British UK Talent+1.
[7] PeopleMatter.TV+1Great British UK Talent+1.
[8] Institute of Directors+4PeopleMatter.TV+4Great British UK Talent+4.