Small and medium-sized business in the UK is looking up, according to results published today from The Chartered Institute of Marketing’s (CIM) Marketing Trends Survey 2010.

The annual report, by Ipsos MORI, shows that SMEs in the UK are the most optimistic about business growth over the next year – more than half (54 per cen) think their own business will improve, with just eight per cent predicting a decline in growth over the same period. 

This is in stark comparison with those businesses with a turnover of £100m or more, which are the most pessimistic: a fifth predict an economic worsening over the next 12 months, negatively impacting on their businesses.

SME optimism is similarly reflected when addressing the role of marketing, showing the integral role it plays in business structure. While 14 per cent of marketers at smaller businesses (turnover of up to £10 million) are worried about losing their jobs as a result of the downturn, their counterparts at larger companies (to £50 million turnover) are significantly more worried with almost a quarter saying they are concerned about their jobs. In fact, the smaller companies show the highest likelihood of increasing their marketing staff, with an overall increase of 15 per cent, compared to just three per cent for larger firms. 

David Thorp, director of research and professional development at The Chartered Institute of Marketing, said: "These latest findings are marked by the difficult year experienced across all industry sectors. As we come out of the downturn, it is reassuring to see that small business growth is projected for the next 12 months.

"Marketing’s role is firmly in place in these organisations, showing that small businesses really do understand marketing.”