2025 has delivered major milestones for the GFSB and Gibraltar’s business community as a whole. Our Thrive EDIT newsletter is reaching a growing community of subscribers and this year alone we’ve shared 50 editions and hundreds of news updates that matter to GFSB members. From a transformed HQ to big policy updates, new partnerships and a long-awaited Treaty-related announcement, here are some of our GFSB and Thrive EDIT highlights from the last 12 months.

January 2025

January opened with a focus on youth enterprise, Brexit choices and setting the advocacy agenda for the year. Young Enterprise Gibraltar launched its 2025 Company Programme, with GFSB board members backing the next generation of entrepreneurs. At the same time, members were briefed on possible post-treaty tax models through “What’s YOUR preference?”, exploring sales tax versus transaction tax, followed by further insight in “Sales Tax Incoming?”. Women in Enterprise kicked off the year with a breakfast on parenthood and work, while pieces on “Adios British Brands?”, key Brexit briefings, OFT’s move to new premises and the return of the Women’s Mentorship Programme framed the wider context for small businesses and professional development.

January also saw the Gibraltar Business Podcast continue its seventh season, focusing on how small businesses are navigating AI adoption, Brexit uncertainty and shifting local regulations. Across the season, GFSB members shared practical, on-the-ground views, and the show’s biggest moment came in October when it featured live at the inaugural GIBLDN Business Conference in London, with a special session spotlighting AI and the future of business on the Rock

February 2025

February shifted attention to governance, lobbying and the border. The GFSB invited members to “Join Our Board”, opening up leadership opportunities for those keen to shape policy and advocacy. Brexit coverage tracked the Chief Minister’s meetings in Madrid in “Brexit See Saw”, underlining the stakes for cross-frontier workers and treaty progress, while “Gibraltar’s Rising Star” highlighted Gibraltar’s inclusion in British Airways Holidays’ list of trending destinations for 2025. A practical note came via “OFT’s Border Checks”, confirming stepped-up enforcement against unlicensed cross-border traders, and “GFSB AGM 2025!” set the date and expectations for the March AGM. 

March 2025

March was about consolidation and capability building. We relaunched our refurbished, refreshed premises and announced strategic partnerships with three members. “AGM 2025: Highlights” reflected on a year of growth and laid out priorities for the next phase of advocacy and member support. “Train with Us” announced an expanded training and education offer, inviting members who deliver workshops or CPD to plug into the programme. We were sad to say goodbye to Phoebe Kelly who left her post at the GFSB and moved to pastures new. The WIE Breakfast Recap captured a well-attended session on leadership, while “Prices Creep Upwards” unpacked fresh cost-of-living data and what it means for local businesses. The GFSB also announced strategic partnerships with Gibtelecom, justbank and TTMS, signalling deeper collaboration on connectivity, finance and services, and marked International Women’s Day with a WIE event on accelerating gender equality in business.

April 2025

April focused on innovation, visibility and new support structures. A Q&A with 2024 Innovation Award winner Lili Olivero encouraged entries for the 2025 Business Innovation Award, showcasing Green Wave’s Eco Loyalty Rewards Programme as a case study in first-to-Gibraltar ideas. “Window Warriors Wanted” launched a new World Environment Day shop-window competition with OTWO, pushing sustainability into the high street. The Self-Employed Group’s first wrap-up post, “Self-Employed & Connected”, underlined how freelancers and sole traders are using the network to share real-world challenges. Members were introduced to new Business Support Manager Kim Chang, while “Tariffs Hit Home” explored the impact of new US trade tariffs on Gibraltar-linked trade and pricing. 

May 2025

May brought health, confidence and consultation into focus. The month celebrated OTWO’s win at the Gibtelecom Business Innovation Awards, with a promise of deeper coverage to follow. The Health & Wellbeing series delivered “Neurodiversity in Focus”, a session that combined lived experience and guidance for employers. WIE’s “Promoting Ourselves Confidently” breakfast at ISOLAS looked at self-advocacy, with a mixed-gender panel including Business Minister Gemma Arias-Vasquez and Albert Isola CBE. On the policy side, “Smoke-Free Future?” invited member feedback on a draft Bill covering nicotine, tobacco and single-use vapes, especially from retail and vending operators, and “Sustainability Awards Return” confirmed the GFSB’s continued backing for the Gibraltar Sustainable Awards with The Nautilus Project.

June 2025 – the Treaty breakthrough

June was the pivotal month for Brexit and long-term planning. We also hosted our annual dinner and

Dust Still Settling

One year on from the GFSB Brexit Town Hall, “Dust Still Settling” reconvened business leaders to unpack the newly announced political agreement with the EU. The piece balanced rising optimism with open questions on double taxation, sector support and how rebates or tax mechanics might work in practice. 

Enterprise Scheme 365 and Annual Dinner

“Enterprise Scheme 365” reported that Gibraltar’s Enterprise Scheme would accept applications year-round, giving founders more flexibility to pursue funding. At the GFSB Annual Dinner, held just before the announcement in Brussels, the conversation naturally centred on resilience, competitiveness and what a post-Brexit deal could unlock for members.

Historic Agreement Reached – the big news

“Historic Agreement Reached” captured the announcement of a political agreement between the UK and EU on Gibraltar’s future relationship. It flagged the moment as a major breakthrough while stressing that this is not yet a treaty and that the detailed implications for businesses are still to come. For many members, this was the single biggest news story of the year, shaping expectations around border fluidity, taxation and investment. 

Regulation and recognition

“Progress Recognised, Again” welcomed the European Commission’s proposal to remove Gibraltar from its high-risk list for money laundering and terrorism financing, recognising years of work on financial oversight. “Shop Window Winners” again used World Environment Day to champion greener retail, reinforcing the GFSB’s role in spotlighting sustainability in practice.

July 2025

July turned to the immediate financial and regulatory impacts of policy change. “GFSB Responds to Social Insurance Changes” raised concerns about a 5% increase in minimum and maximum social insurance contributions for employers, employees and the self-employed, highlighting the squeeze on margins and take-home pay. “Property Occupation Register Pt2” walked members through new rules for short-term lets effective 1 July, clarifying what landlords, agents and hosts need to do. “It’s Budget Week!” digested the Chief Minister’s Budget speech, noting the return to surplus and lack of headline tax hikes, while underlining that treaty-linked changes and rising wage costs mean businesses still need to keep a close eye on costs and policy shifts. 

August 2025

Aaand relax… The EDIT took a much-needed break during August. That’s not to say the GFSB wasn’t hard at work behind the scenes…

September 2025

September was busy at home and abroad. “GFSB in Brussels” reported on Board Member Eran Shay’s visit to the ESBA AGM and CEA-PME’s SME2B Forum, reinforcing Gibraltar’s voice in European SME networks. “Autumn Calendar Announced” highlighted Gibraltar Cultural Services’ October–December programme, positioning cultural events as useful planning anchors for local businesses in Q4. The “Summer Party Success” write-up captured a well-attended networking evening at Gauchos Terrace, tying relationship-building to member value. Advocacy posts tackled the “Power Cut Fallout” and the impact of outages on small businesses, while “WIE+GFSB @ Climate Change Workshop” reflected on Gibraltar’s net-zero plans and what they could mean for business costs and compliance. Finally, “New Business Conference” confirmed the inaugural Gibraltar Business Conference at London’s Oxo Tower on 21 October 2025, signalling a step-up in post-treaty outward promotion.

October 2025

October was the year’s most intense month, with residency policy, London Week and leadership themes converging.

Residency and business confidence

“Tighter Residency Rules” flagged new changes to residency and Gibraltarian status, introduced without prior consultation with the business community and following the Government’s pause on applications. “Residency Pause Clarified” then explained the Government’s later reassurances that Gibraltar remains open to investment and that applications in the economic interest of Gibraltar would continue to be processed. Together, these pieces captured a key tension for employers trying to plan staffing and relocation in a post-agreement environment.

London Week and post-treaty narrative

“International Spotlight on Gibraltar” noted that the GFSB contributed to an iNews feature on how the post-Brexit treaty agreement has reignited interest in Gibraltar as a place to live and work, albeit with challenges such as residency rules still in flux. “Gibraltar’s London Week Wrap by GFSB” reflected on a busy programme of events in London, with Gibraltar’s professional and financial services joined by a wider cross-section of businesses. “Post Treaty Opportunities” distilled the Chief Minister’s and Attorney General’s messages at the inaugural Gibraltar Business Conference, where they outlined how the forthcoming UK–EU treaty could create new business and investment opportunities.

Leadership, wellbeing and the city centre

The GFSB hosted the Governor of Gibraltar and FCDO visitors, strengthening dialogue between small business and the UK’s representatives. An opinion piece, “Border Opens // Cable Car Closes: What’s the Plan?”, raised concerns about tourism infrastructure at a time of expected visitor growth. The Wellness Series’ “Doctors Panel: Menopause at Work” explored menopause as a workplace issue, linking health and retention. “Five Leadership Challenges in Gibraltar” surfaced the pressures facing local leaders as they balance uncertainty, growth and decision fatigue, even with confidence slowly returning. “Main Street’s Evolution” offered a reflective piece on how quickly the retail mix is changing in the city centre, building on the themes first aired in January’s “Adios British Brands?” and later TV discussions.

GFSB travelled to London

October saw Gibraltar’s business community make a strong showing in London, with GFSB members joining a wider mix of estate agents, relocation specialists and service providers for the inaugural GIB LDN Conference. The week blended high-level government engagement, including the Financial Services Lunch at Mansion House and Gibraltar Day at India House, with packed private receptions hosted by members such as Kroll and Gibtelecom. With nine business-focused events, growing UK and international interest, and fresh conversations around post-treaty investment and future opportunities, the London visit marked a confident step forward for Gibraltar’s broader business ecosystem.

The Gibraltar Business Podcast tied into these October themes with its live feature slot at GIBLDN, adding long-form, conversational coverage of AI, video and future-of-work topics into the London narrative. 

November 2025

November dug into taxation, courts, data and pensions. “UK Budget Breakdown” analysed the UK Autumn Statement’s impact on Gibraltar’s gaming firms, particularly the shock doubling of UK gambling duty and what it could mean for jobs and tax receipts locally. “Viewpoint on Main Street” summarised a GBC programme on the changing high street and the potential acceleration of those changes under a future UK–EU treaty. “Supreme Court Small Claims” highlighted steep rises in listing fees for small claims as of 1 August, raising access-to-justice concerns for small firms. “The Gibraltar That Nearly Was” reviewed an architecture and planning exhibition that invited reflection on past and future development choices. Practical pieces included “Pension Questions Answered”, summarising common workplace pension queries from a Sovereign clinic, and “Census Deep Dive”, an explainer on the 2022 Census and what it means for sectors and the labour market. The Self-Employed Group wrapped its latest meeting with a focus on regulation and residency, while “Discussion Starter” amplified a local business owner’s letter on gaming, retail and cross-border trade. “T7 Editor’s Letter” introduced the Autumn/Winter edition of Thrive, reinforcing the federation’s editorial lens on small business life.

December 2025

December closed the year with EU insight, Brexit tools and community. “SME EU Digest” shared updates from CEA-PME on EU-level policy shifts around digital regulation, AML, skills and economic security, framed as forward indicators for Gibraltar firms working with EU clients or markets. “GFSB Brexit AI Q+A” announced the launch of an AI-powered Brexit FAQ at brexit.gfsb.gi to help members navigate complex treaty-related queries, a development that was also picked up in local media. “Gaming Tax Fallout Continues” revisited the 40% UK gaming duty decision and its implications for Gibraltar’s economy, underscoring how dependent confidence and revenues are on the sector’s health. The GFSB Christmas Party at MyWines, sponsored by Capurro Insurance and TTMS, gave members a chance to decompress and connect informally, while “WIE Explores Time & Energy Management” wrapped the year’s WIE programming with a workshop at ISOLAS on managing workload and wellbeing in a fast-paced environment.

We also close the year with two major Brexit milestones for Gibraltar’s business community. GFSB launched its Brexit AI FAQ, giving members a practical, easy-to-use tool to navigate complex post-treaty questions and scenarios as negotiations moved into their final phase. Shortly after, confirmation that the full Treaty text had been agreed marked a defining moment after years of uncertainty, allowing businesses to begin assessing implications around border fluidity, mobility and future planning with greater confidence. Together, these developments signalled a clear shift from speculation to preparation as Gibraltar looks ahead to implementation.

After years defined by uncertainty, 2025 has brought clarity, some momentum and renewed confidence to our community of members. With a political agreement in place and stronger small business networks, we’re feeling ready to face 2026 together.