Barclays has launched a South West Regional Board to strengthen support for businesses across the region, as new research places Bristol among the top ten UK cities for its concentration of high-growth companies.<\/p>\n
The research, conducted by Barclays Eagle Labs and Beauhurst, found Bristol outperforms relative to the size of its local business population for high-growth firms.<\/p>\n
However, the national analysis highlights challenges in securing follow-on equity investment, with the number of active high-growth companies in Bristol yet to secure a second equity round expected to increase by 83% by 2035.<\/p>\n
Mark Stuckey, head of mid-corporate south for Barclays and chair of the new board, said: “The South West is exceptional for its range of strengths. From aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing to marine, energy, technology and a thriving visitor economy, the region is one of the fastest growing in the UK.”<\/p>\n
He added: “Our new board will bring together the full breadth of Barclays so that we are better connected to regional priorities, more visible to the businesses and communities we serve, and better able to support sustainable growth across the South West.”<\/p>\n
The board will connect leaders from across the bank to translate sectoral strengths into sustained growth.<\/p>\n
It forms part of Barclays’ wider network of regional boards, which support the bank’s commitment to help 1.5m businesses and entrepreneurs from idea to IPO by 2030.<\/p>\n
The bank is making \u00a322bn available through a Business Prosperity Fund for eligible new and existing clients seeking lending or refinancing for growth projects.<\/p>\n
The board launches as the South West prepares for major infrastructure programmes including Bristol Temple Quarter regeneration, Plymouth and South Devon and Solent Freeports, and Hinkley Point C.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Bristol ranked among top UK cities for high-growth firms<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":48766,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"coauthors":[160],"class_list":["post-48764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news","tag-bristol-and-bath","tag-featured-story"],"yoast_head":"\n