British Business Bank Report Forecasts £300m Boost to Welsh Economy

Businesses backed by the British Business Bank are expected to generate a £300 million boost to the Welsh economy, according to figures published in the Bank’s third annual Impact Report. The report found that 1,400 smaller businesses across Wales were newly supported during 2025/26, with the finance forecast to create 1,300 new jobs, support a further 17,200 existing jobs and generate £600 million in additional turnover over the lifetime of the funding.

A key driver of the Bank’s impact in Wales is its £130 million Investment Fund for Wales, which is improving access to finance for businesses at every stage of growth.

The Fund celebrated its second anniversary earlier this year after reaching a £37 million investment milestone. It has completed more than 102 investments supporting 93 businesses across Wales, spanning a wide range of sectors and attracting additional private-sector investment into the Welsh economy.

Investment supporting growth and innovation

Recent investments include the Fund’s largest equity investment to date: a £3.5 million investment in industrial services firm Advantiv Limited.

The investment will support the company’s expansion, the opening of new locations across the UK and further operational innovation.

The British Business Bank is also expanding its support in the Cardiff City Region through a new £6.5 million innovation cluster, aimed at encouraging more equity investment into businesses operating across the eight priority sectors identified in the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy.

Supporting businesses and communities across Wales

“This year’s Impact Report shows the real difference that British Business Bank support is making to businesses and communities across Wales. As the Bank’s support continues to grow, we’re backing more businesses across a wider range of sectors, while bringing more private investment into Wales alongside our own funding. This is helping innovative companies develop new technologies, manufacturers expand their operations and entrepreneurs turn ambitious plans into long-term growth.

“Through programmes such as the Investment Fund for Wales, Start Up Loans and angel syndicate initiatives, we’re backing ambitious businesses across Wales, helping individual companies grow while strengthening local economies, supporting skilled jobs and contributing to long-term prosperity across the country.”

Jess Phillips-Harris, Director, Wales, Local Growth Team at the British Business Bank

Wider UK impact

The report also highlights the Bank’s wider commitment to supporting businesses across the UK’s nations and regions.

Of the businesses newly supported by the Bank during 2025/26, 87% were based outside London. The Bank expects its activity to deliver an economic output boost of more than £100 million in every UK nation and region.

Across the UK, the British Business Bank supported a total of £9.4 billion in finance for smaller businesses during 2025/26.

The expected impact over the lifetime of this finance includes:

• 39,000 additional jobs
• £19.7 billion in additional business turnover
• £8.8 billion in Gross Value Added
• More than £100 million in Gross Value Added in every UK nation and region

Read the British Business Bank’s 2026 Impact Report for the full findings.