Barclays commits to support 1.5m UK businesses by 2030

Barclays has launched Backing Britain’s Future, a long-term commitment to support 1.5 million businesses and entrepreneurs by 2030 as it seeks to drive investment, innovation and economic growth across the UK.

The initiative will support businesses from start-up through to public markets, providing access to finance, skills, networks and expertise as companies start, scale, invest and expand internationally.

Central to the programme is Barclays’ ambition to provide a continuum of support from “idea to IPO”, bringing together capabilities across its business and corporate banking operations.

For entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses, Barclays plans to expand access to skills, mentoring and networks through its LifeSkills programme and more than 40 Barclays Eagle Labs.

Support will also focus on helping businesses adopt AI and other emerging technologies to improve productivity and accelerate innovation, alongside programmes targeting high-growth industries, including the National Climate Tech Accelerator and Unreasonable Impact.

£22bn fund to support investment and growth

As businesses move into their growth phase, Barclays said it will provide access to capital through its £22 billion Business Prosperity Fund, dedicated lending solutions and connections with investors.

The bank will also provide lending, liquidity management and treasury solutions through Barclays UK Corporate Bank to help companies finance both their day-to-day activities and longer-term growth ambitions.

For businesses looking overseas, Barclays will offer relationship banking, trade finance, export expertise and international connections, while high-growth companies considering public markets will be supported through initiatives including the Aquis IPO Academy.

The initiative comes as Barclays highlights what it sees as significant untapped investment potential among the UK’s SMEs.

SMEs account for 99% of UK businesses and around 60% of employment. Barclays estimates that if SMEs invested at the same rate as larger companies, an additional £60 billion of investment could be unlocked annually, potentially supporting further growth, innovation and job creation.

The bank also highlighted the regional importance of SME finance, reporting that more than 80% of the finance provided to SMEs by Barclays Business Bank during the first half of 2026 went to businesses outside London.

As part of Backing Britain’s Future, Barclays is launching a network of nine Regional Chairs and Leadership Boards, bringing together expertise and relationships from across the bank to support businesses and identify growth opportunities across the UK.

“Britain’s future growth will be built by the entrepreneurs, businesses and growing companies that invest, innovate and create jobs in communities across the country. Their success is critical to the prosperity of the UK.

“Growth requires more than finance alone. Businesses need access to skills, networks, expertise and capital at every stage of their journey. By bringing together the full strength of Barclays as part of our goal of helping businesses and entrepreneurs go from idea to IPO, we want to help ambitious businesses across the UK turn confidence into investment and investment into long-term growth.”

“Thanks to this commitment from Barclays, entrepreneurs and small businesses will gain access to the tools and support they need to bring their ambitions to fruition.

“Alongside support from government, with our Plan for Small Businesses, this initiative is all about creating the opportunities and investments which transforms communities across the country.”

Barclays said Backing Britain’s Future will combine its nationwide presence with its international reach to support businesses throughout their development, from entrepreneurs establishing new ventures through to established companies seeking international expansion and access to public markets.