BDO, KPMG and PA support London firms with international growth
London has established The Mayor’s International Business Programme to help ambitious startups and fast growing companies in technology, life sciences, and urban sectors with international growth. The benefitting entrepreneurs will now be supported by an ecosystem of experts across all fields of business, including mentors and consulting firms.
The Mayor’s International Business Programme has been initiated to back startups and companies growing rapidly, in order to help them meet specific international growth ambitions. The new exclusive programme provides a bespoke mentoring scheme, delivered by leading entrepreneurs and business leaders. The programme is open to fast-growing companies in London, operating in three broad sectors: technology, life sciences, and urban. In order to qualify, businesses need to demonstrate that they are already generating revenues.
Along with mentorship and advice, meanwhile, the project also aims to provide many opportunities to learn and network at a series of events run by the programme. Along with monthly workshops to help entrepreneurs navigate the nuances of doing business in overseas markets, the programme will also present participants with high-profile, targeted opportunities to learn and network as part of overseas trade missions. These will be sector focused and are only open to high-growth companies.
Since the project’s launch in 2016, three consulting firms have joined as lead partners of the Mayor of London’s new International Business Programme. KPMG, BDO and PA Consulting will each work to support growing companies in areas targeted at strengthening the local and national economy, as London attempts to insulate itself from the consequences of Brexit, alongside Benoy, an award winning architectural design firm.
The International Business Programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and facilitate local community regeneration. Now having passed its first anniversary, the project and its lead partners are continuing the search for a new cohort of the next top market innovators.
Speaking at the initial launch in 2016, then-Mayor Boris Johnson stated, “London has a strong heritage as an international trading city and our position at the centre of the business world means the city offers the perfect springboard for companies looking to expand internationally. London’s businesses and entrepreneurs continue to be at the forefront of innovation and creativity and I have seen first-hand the demand for their goods and services across the world. By helping the capital’s businesses become the next global leaders we will see the creation of more jobs for Londoners.”
