Business News Round Up (05/11/2026)
Private capital invests £8.5bn in North West over five years claims new report
Private equity and venture capital firms invested more than £1.8bn in North West businesses in 2025, taking total investment over the past five years to more than £8.5bn. The figures are included in a report launched in Manchester by UK Private Capital in partnership with Gallagher. Private capital backs 873 businesses across the North West — 393 by private equity and 480 by venture capital — supporting around 247,000 jobs. Private capital-backed businesses generated £15.7bn in gross domestic product in 2025. Investment in 2025 included £1.4bn in buyout investment into established and mature companies. Venture capital accounted for £214m, reflecting early-stage funding for innovative businesses seeking to enter the market. A further £166m went into growth capital, supporting early and mid-stage companies looking to scale their operations.
Heriot-Watt secures funding to develop employer-led skills routes for Scotland’s growing sectors
Heriot-Watt University will develop new employer-led learning routes in energy transition, advanced manufacturing, health, environment and digital industries, following a funding award from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). The project, known as ASPIRE, is supported through the SFC’s University Transformation Framework (UTF) and will be delivered in partnership with the University of Stirling and the University of the Highlands and Islands. Professor Nola Hewitt-Dundas, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, said: “At Heriot-Watt, we are committed to equipping people with the skills and confidence to succeed in a rapidly changing world while helping industry address some of society’s most pressing challenges. ASPIRE represents that ambition, creating flexible, industry-informed learning pathways in areas that are critical to Scotland’s future prosperity.”
NPIF smaller loans fund delivers £1.3m funding in H1 2026
NPIF II – GC Business Finance & River Capital Smaller Loans, which is managed by the consortium as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) has delivered over £1.3m of funding in the first half of the financial year. Across the period, it has supported 22 businesses, which is expected to support the creation of 83 jobs, helping ambitious businesses across the North West to grow, invest and create new opportunities. As fund managers for NPIF II Smaller Loans in the North West, providing loans from £25k up to £100,000, GCBF and River Capital play a vital role in helping businesses start, scale and invest in their future. Over the period, 45% of all loans went to female-founded businesses and 40% went to minority founders, demonstrating the consortium’s continued commitment to backing entrepreneurs who have historically faced barriers to finance.
Barclays puts Glasgow at the heart of Scottish innovation with flagship Innovation Hub
Barclays has launched its flagship innovation presence in Scotland, with its established Glasgow Eagle Lab taking on an expanded role as the Barclays Innovation Hub. Only the second Barclays Innovation Hub in the UK, following London, the Glasgow hub will have a distinct regional mission: connecting Scotland’s entrepreneurs and high-growth businesses with universities, investors, major companies and technology specialists to accelerate innovation and commercial growth. The launch forms part of Barclays’ Backing Britain’s Future initiative to help entrepreneurs and businesses grow from idea to IPO, with a commitment to support 1.5 million businesses and entrepreneurs by 2030. In Scotland, the hub will bring that ambition to life by connecting businesses with the skills, networks and expertise they need to innovate, attract investment and scale into new markets. Glasgow’s technology ecosystem is now valued at £5.6 billion.