Business Banking Insights

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20/11/2017

The second edition of Business Banking Insights is here and it focuses on a topical subject in the business world - the UK's Industrial Strategy.

In recent consultations on Industrial Strategy, the UK government set a focus on 10 key strategic pillars to improve business infrastructure and drive enhanced productivity. In this edition we focus in on two of those pillars, ‘Driving growth across the country’ and ‘Creating the right institutions to bring together sectors and places’.

We commissioned research on stages of the business lifecycle and aspirations of SMEs. Over 800 businesses took part in the survey which, among other things, revealed:

• One in three businesses considered themselves to be in a growth phase
• Around 40% of SMEs have aspirations to grow
• A further 17% are looking to diversify into new markets and products

Stories, commentary and analysis

In this edition of Business Banking Insights we share stories on some of the businesses we’re helping to thrive. Our support has helped companies building micro-optics for the laser industry, semi-conductor microchips for aerospace and wireless communications, specialist aircraft spares, and much more.

We’ll also look at some of the wider trends which play into the Industrial Strategy. Senior Advisor and Honorary Yorkshire Bank Chair, Richard Gregory, discusses turning talk into action when it comes to The Northern Powerhouse.

Finally, we look at the results of our SME Health Check Index for the second quarter of 2017. Overall the health of UK SMEs rose to the highest point in 18 months, showing that despite economic uncertainties there is still scope for SMEs to grow in the current climate.

Read Business Banking Insights Autumn 2017 (opens in a new window)