Treasury entrepreneurship adviser Alex Depledge will step down on Thursday after criticizing the government's treatment of fast-growing companies. She said ministers treat scale-ups as a sideshow while directing taxpayer money toward legacy industries. Her departure will come one day after John Healey delivers his first Budget as chancellor.
Leadership frustration
Depledge was appointed by former chancellor Rachel Reeves in June 2025. She held fortnightly meetings with Reeves but had barely any face time with Healey. After the July change of chancellor, she said she had to relitigate arguments she had already won.
Adviser background
Depledge founded property technology firm Resi and cleaning marketplace Hassle.com. Hassle.com was acquired by a German rival for €32 million. She helped secure an expansion of the Enterprise Management Incentives scheme for employee share options.
Founder tax calls
Founders have urged Healey to protect Business Asset Disposal Relief. They also called for tax breaks when entrepreneurs reinvest sale proceeds into other British companies. A Helm survey found that 73% of scale-up founders were not at all confident the Budget would be good for business.
Depledge declined to disclose her Budget proposals but suggested they could include new incentives for founders. She also said £3 trillion of pension capital is not working for pensioners or high-growth companies. Her main reason for leaving was a desire to return to business.