intelligence PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE


Enterprise is on the rise 2


By EILEEN CRONIN, regional director, Barclays Wealth and Investment Management, South West


016 will likely be remembered as a year of economic uncertainty, but it was also a good year to be an entrepreneur in the UK, according to Barclays research.


Barclays’ eighth Entrepreneurs Index, which tracks the entrepreneurial lifecycle across UK regions, using data to measure start-ups, business growth and exits, showed that overall UK entrepreneurial performance is at an all-time high – up 10 per cent since 2011. On a regional level, particularly in the South West, entrepreneurial


activity has continued to thrive. The number of new businesses in the South West rose by 2.6% in the year to March 2016 reaching a total of 226,575 start-ups. The Index also showed an increase in the percentage of high-growth companies within the South West’s SME population, with a 1.2% increase. This puts the region behind only the Midlands (1.7%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (1.5%) respectively. Whilst entrepreneurship in the South West apparently continues to


flourish, we cannot ignore the fact that in 2016, Britain has gone through significant economic and political change. However, instead of feeling discouraged by the complexities of the Brexit results in particular and how it may impact them, entrepreneurs and business leaders should feel positive about the wider economic opportunities available to them, as evidenced by some of the findings of the Index. At Barclays we firmly believe that entrepreneurs are instrumental to the future of the UK. In order to succeed, whilst also coming to terms with the aftermath of the Brexit vote, we recognise that nothing must stand in the way of entrepreneurs in the South West’s access to talent, skills and the UK’s ability to attract inward investment.


‘On a


regional level entrepreneurial activity has continued to thrive’


Finance firm named best in South West


Bristol-based Paradigm Norton has been named the South West’s leading financial planning specialist at the prestigious Citywire awards for the eighth time. The Citywire South West New


Model Adviser® awards recognise the best fee-based financial planning firms across eight UK regions. Headed by chief executive Barry


Horner (pictured), Paradigm Norton was chosen from among thousands of firms after completing an in- depth survey that examined the firm’s professional qualifications, client satisfaction and more. A shortlist of 220 firms was then


judged on additional factors such as client education, communication and the use of technology to run an efficient financial planning business.


26 insight MARCH/APRIL 2017


Barry said: “We are thrilled to be recognised as a firm that delivers outstanding financial planning solutions to our clients. “It’s wonderful to be recognised


like this by the best in the profession – and wonderful too that it’s a Bristol firm leading the way and setting national standards of excellence.” Barry and his team were presented with the award by the chairman of Citywire Lawrence Lever and writer, broadcaster and actor Gyles Brandreth at the Park Plaza Westminster Hotel in London.


Paradigm Norton has won more


than 22 awards since it was founded in 2001. The 45-strong team continued to grow last year, both organically and by acquisition.


FINANCE


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