Britain’s small business leaders are facing growing strain as they juggle multiple roles, with many sacrificing their mental health to keep their companies afloat, according to new data.
Research commissioned by telecoms firm Virgin Media O2 Business to mark World Wellbeing Week (24–30 June) shows that SME directors are spending an average of 10 hours a week on tasks outside their core expertise, often covering HR, IT, finance and leadership roles simultaneously. As UK employment levels fall, many have little choice but to shoulder a growing number of responsibilities themselves.
Growing Workload, Declining Wellbeing
The findings reveal the extent of the pressure. Over three-quarters (76%) of SME leaders say the demands of running their businesses are negatively affecting their mental health, while just over half (51%) report being more stressed now than when they started their business. More than one in five (21%) have not taken two consecutive days off in the past six months.
Time constraints are a major barrier to improving wellbeing. A third (35%) of those surveyed say they lack sufficient time to take care of their mental health, and 28% say they cannot afford to take time away from their business. A quarter say their companies cannot function without them, and a similar proportion (26%) feel guilty prioritising themselves over work.
On any given day, most SME directors find themselves fulfilling multiple roles, with 76% acting as CEO, HR manager, IT support and finance director all at once. Nearly six in 10 (59%) say they are regularly called upon to deal with issues outside their expertise, leaving them overloaded and struggling to switch off. The vast majority (96%) report checking emails or handling business issues outside of normal working hours, and one in four work over 50 hours a week.
Tech Stress Adds Pressure
One of the biggest contributors to SME leaders’ stress is managing technology. Nearly nine in 10 (89%) say tech-related stresses have directly impacted their wellbeing, with a third (33%) admitting they lose sleep over tech worries.
Over half (53%) have faced a significant tech issue in the past month that caused lost time, stress or revenue. Problems such as cybersecurity threats, data breaches, system crashes and technical failures are widespread, cited by 79% of respondents.
Despite these risks, many SME leaders feel ill-equipped to make informed decisions about technology. One in three (32%) say they rely on guesswork when dealing with tech issues, while 37% highlight the financial cost of downtime and 31% point to lost productivity.
The cumulative effect of all this is a growing sense of vulnerability as companies become increasingly reliant on technology to operate and grow.
Support Can Lighten The Load
In response, Virgin Media O2 Business is promoting the value of partnerships to help SMEs reduce stress and improve wellbeing by lightening the load of tech management.
“The pressures on the shoulders of the SME community are enormous, especially as many make difficult business decisions and are often stretched across many different areas,” said Ross Pearson, head of Small Enterprise at Virgin Media O2 Business.
“SME leaders have always been known for ‘wearing multiple hats’, but in today’s business landscape, the term has a new meaning. The latest data from Virgin Media O2 Business reveals the toll of added responsibilities, with action needed to support leader wellbeing and mental health,” he said.
Risk of Burnout If Pressures Persist
The data points to a growing risk that constant overwork and role overload pose to the mental health of small business owners, many of whom operate with limited support. With more than half of SME leaders reporting rising stress levels, wellbeing professionals warn that without adequate support structures in place, sustained pressure could lead to burnout, compromised decision-making and long-term business vulnerability.
As businesses increasingly rely on complex technology to compete, many experts argue that investing in specialist support can not only ease leaders’ mental burden but also reduce costly tech errors and improve resilience. For many SMEs, the ability to access expert advice without adding to their fixed costs offers a crucial safety net as they navigate an unpredictable operating environment.
The research was conducted by London-based advisory firm Strand Partners, which surveyed 2,000 SME owners, founders, managing directors and CEOs across the UK between 10 and 13 June 2025.