Page 9 - Great Northern Conference 2020: GAUA

Supporting SMEs
Virgin Money is a bank with a significant presence in the North of England. We’re extremely passionate about supporting
SMEs and believe that building a successful Northern Powerhouse is key to the success of the region.
The Northern Powerhouse can play a huge role in boosting the regional economy by investing heavily in innovation, transport, skills and culture, as well as devolving significant powers and budgets to directly elected mayors to ensure decisions in the North are made by the North, for the good of the North.
Encouraging business creation and growth in the region is absolutely vital to the success of the Northern Powerhouse, and the security and prosperity of its people and communities.
At Virgin Money, we are committed to supporting business growth right across the region and giving our great cities the power and resources they need to reach their huge untapped potential. We have been backing businesses in the North of England for over 160 years, and our commitment is just as strong today as when the bank was founded, as we understand that SMEs are the backbone of the Northern Powerhouse economy.
The North has a rich history of innovation and entrepreneurship that we should rightly be proud of, coupled with a range of excellent higher education institutions. Despite the significant challenges in the economy at the moment as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with the ongoing uncertainty around the Brexit process, we cannot afford to stand still and be hesitant. Rather we must press
on and continue to drive innovation and development as these are key drivers to a healthy and vibrant economy, not only in the North but the UK as a whole.
We have a rich history of supporting businesses throughout the region, through both the good times and the more challenging times. We are committed to continuing helping businesses navigate the turbulent times they are facing in the current environment and ensuring they have the support they need to prosper in the future.