Partnership with Exchange helps Scotland's businesses to grow

20th April 2012

Helping Scottish businesses to grow and develop through increased access to finance and the provision of expert advice has been one of the key outcomes of a fruitful partnership between Clydesdale Bank and the Entrepreneurial Exchange over the past 18 months.

In advance of the Exchange’s annual conference at Gleneagles this week (Thursday April 19th), chief executive, John Anderson spoke of the success of the joint venture which is aimed at enhancing connections between the Bank and Scotland’s business community.

He commented: “Since we began working in partnership with Clydesdale Bank in 2010, we have had extremely encouraging feedback from our membership – particularly in response to some of the added value services that Clydesdale Bank has been offering, such as specialist funding workshops and one-to-one advice sessions.

“In the current economic climate, most businesses are erring on the side of caution when it comes to large-scale investments and business development opportunities. There is no doubt that one of the biggest concerns for our membership is finding safe ways to ensure that their companies continue to grow and develop.

“Through our relationship with Clydesdale Bank, we are increasingly able to point our members in the right direction when it comes to finding the most suitable financial support packages available – helping these businesses to grow, and also helping to give a much needed boost to Scotland’s economy.”

Alastair Christmas, assistant regional director of Clydesdale Bank, is due to speak at Thursday’s event at Gleneagles. He said: “Our relationship with the Entrepreneurial Exchange continues to go from strength to strength, and whilst the first 18 months have been extremely fruitful – both for the Exchange and for Clydesdale, we are confident that the next 18 months will be even more so.

“There is little question that the economic downturn has tested the relationship between many businesses and their bank – at Clydesdale Bank we’re using this as an opportunity to strengthen the partnership we have with our customers.

“We place huge importance on the quality of our customer relationships and in offering added-value services. That, we believe, is the key reason why our relationship with the Exchange and its members has been so productive. We pride ourselves on being able to support businesses, from smaller start-ups right through to corporates.”

Keynote speakers at this year’s Entrepreneurial Exchange Annual Conference include current Entrepreneur of the Year Colin Robertson, Chief Executive of Alexander Dennis Ltd, Vera Weisfeld OBE, founder of What Every Woman Wants, Lord Kirkham, founder of furniture chain DFS, and brand marketing visionary Ross Smith of Midshelf.

The Entrepreneurial Exchange is Scotland’s leading organisation for ambitious growth oriented entrepreneurs. Established in 1995 with 50 founder members, The Exchange now has over 400 members heading up companies employing more than 200,000 people and with a collective turnover of over £20 billion.