TikTok has launched its first-ever SME Council in the UK, giving 20 small business owners a direct voice in shaping the future of commerce on the popular platform.
The council brings together entrepreneurs from across industries ranging from beauty and fashion to sleep wellness and candle-making who use TikTok Shop to sell their products. Members gathered for the council’s first official meeting on April 4 in Stoke-on-Trent.
TikTok says the move is aimed at supporting small business growth and influencing platform policies. Ali Law, TikTok UK’s Director of Public Policy, stated: “By launching our new Council, we’re giving SMEs a platform to call for policies that will unlock the next phase of their growth.”
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The council’s creation follows research from Neilson IQ showing TikTok Shop as the UK’s fastest-growing online retailer in 2024, with a 131% increase in shoppers.
Currently, about 1.5 million UK SMEs operate on TikTok—around 27% of all SMEs in the country. With livestreams, viral content, and influencer partnerships, TikTok has become a major player in the social commerce boom.
The SME Council is also expected to help shape a TikTok SME Manifesto, a set of policy proposals aimed at boosting entrepreneurship in the UK.
As TikTok faces potential regulatory challenges in the US and increasing scrutiny in the UK, the new council could play a key role in securing the platform’s place in the small business economy.
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