Coutts and RBS are backing the UK’s small business community by supporting Accelerate 2013, an inaugural festival for high growth businesses which is taking place in Liverpool on 27 June 2013.
Gathering more than 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners from across the UK at the ACC in Liverpool, the event will also include panel debates and business boot-camps, covering topics such as the impact of the digital age and networking in the 21st Century, to the entrepreneurial mindset and building a world-class brand.
There will be speaker sessions from known entrepreneurs such as:
◦ Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia;
◦ Martha Lane Fox CBE, co-founder of lastminute.com;
◦ General Sir Michael Jackson, former Chief of the General Staff; and
◦ Lord Young, the Prime Minister’s Enterprise Adviser.
Andrew Haigh (pictured), executive director of client propositions at Coutts, says: “High growth companies are a rare breed. Just six per cent of Britain’s business community creates more than half of the nation’s new jobs, so it’s crucial that these businesses are encouraged and supported. We know growing a business is tough from the experience of many of our successful clients, and therefore, recognise the importance that should be provided in supporting these businesses on their growth journey for the wider benefit of all.”
Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, says: “It is a reflection of the importance of what we are trying to build in Liverpool that two of Britain’s best known banks are supporting our ambition to promote business growth. Accelerate 2013 will showcase the very best of British business and aims to inspire entrepreneurs to take the next step in their company’s growth, in turn helping to ensure Britain’s economic recovery. It is also an important stepping stone as we prepare to open our doors to the global business community at the International Festival for Business in June and July 2014, which Liverpool is proud to be hosting on behalf of the nation.”
David Gillespie, chief executive of RBS England & Wales, NatWest Scotland says: "Supporting SMEs is a top priority for RBS and, as one of the largest banks in this sector, we are delighted to be part of the biggest festival for business in Britain. This is a unique chance to celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship and help get behind a sector that is driving the UK recovery."
As part of their support of the festival, both RBS and Coutts have nominated business leaders to join Accelerate 250, a brand new group of the UK’s “vital six per cent” of businesses which have the greatest growth potential, and which will hold its inaugural meeting during the main day of the festival.
