Santander UK boss Ana Botin today vowed to support the “champion companies” which she claimed will boost growth across the UK economy.
Botin said local relationship managers at the bank were committed to helping SMEs grow but warned policymakers they must not over-regulate banks.
“The spirit of enterprise, innovation and ambition is what made Britain great,” she said at the Institute of Directors annual conference. “Entrepreneurs are the ones who drive the economy forward. Helping companies like these realise their growth potential — and go from small to medium size — is critical to restoring sustainable, long-term growth to the UK economy.”
Her comments will be welcomed across the country given that many businesses still complain they cannot get bank funding. Santander is one of the UK’s largest lenders.
Also at the conference, a survey of IoD members has found 57 per cent wanted the Government to renegotiate the UK’s membership of the European Union.
