The British Business Bank has been commissioned by the government to convene an industry-wide working group on access to capital.

The UK’s economic development bank said the group will explore the barriers to entrepreneurship and access to finance that impact groups currently marginalised or under-represented across the country.

Considering ways in which existing access to finance schemes could be enhanced, the British Business Bank suggested its group will also look at how new schemes could be implemented to address these issues.

Recommendations will feed into the ‘Employment and Enterprise’ sub-group as part of the commission on race and ethnic disparities, set up by Boris Johnson in July 2020 to review inequality in the UK.

Comprised of leading experts from across the financial sector, the working group will be chaired by partner at Helios Investment Partners, Henry Obi.

British Business Bank CEO, Catherine Lewis La Torre, commented: “Creating more opportunities for people from all walks of life to make the most of their skills and talent is vital to the success of the UK and its economy.

“Entrepreneurs, regardless of their background, should be equally welcomed and supported in the world of business. However, who the person is and how they fit in to the society around them can too often impact the range of options open to them as well as the barriers they face.”

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