Regional investment essential to future financial and related professional services growth

New national research commissioned by TheCityUK reveals that while two thirds (68 per cent) of people are proud to live in their local area, only one third (34 per cent) are positive about the future of their region.

Further regionally focused research found that 88 per cent of people from across some of the UK’s largest regions and nations believe that regional cities will need to be strong drivers of economic growth post-Brexit. Nine in ten (93 per cent) believe that higher levels of investment should be made in these regions.

The research, conducted by leading insights consultancy, BritainThinks, comes as senior leaders from across the UK-based financial and related professional services industry gather in Birmingham – one of the industry’s largest regional financial centres – at TheCityUK National Conference, sponsored by CYBG.

Miles Celic, chief executive officer, TheCityUK, said: “With the right regional and national strategies in place, we expect as much as 70 per cent of future industry growth to come from centres outside London . People are rightly proud of the places in which they live, but are concerned about their opportunities in the future. We need to make sure the industry and national and local governments give our dynamic regional and national financial centres the investment and policy tools they need to grow and succeed. Doing so will drive forward regional growth, ultimately powering the UK’s global vision for the future.”

At the conference, delegates will consider issues such as skills and talent, infrastructure, devolution and regional and national growth initiatives through a series of keynote speeches and panel discussions.

Keynote speakers include: