NatWest is enhancing the support it provides to SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and entrepreneurs across the South West.

The bank has created several new roles to empower businesses with tailored support and growth opportunities as it looks to unlock business potential outside of London. It is investing £6bn in the growth of SMEs, with £4bn of this outside of the UK capital in regions like the South West.

NatWest’s new proposition in the region includes four Local Enterprise Managers and an Ecosystem Manager who alongside the bank’s Entrepreneur Accelerator Managers will give businesses the specialist guidance they need through expertise, coaching and networks relevant to each business’ location and sector.

NatWest also employs one of the largest dedicated business banking teams in the South West specialising in sectors including manufacturing; technology, media, and telecommunications; agriculture; leisure, and healthcare.

It has recently launched a revised version of its flagship NatWest Accelerator programme, due to start at the end of June.

The fully funded programme is designed to support business owners to scale their businesses to the next level, and for the first time features four programmes specialising in: High growth, Climate, Purpose-led and Fintech.

Charly Patrick, South West Ecosystem Manager, said: “We’re very excited about the launch of our new team that will be helping businesses in the South West achieve success. We’ve built an exciting mix of expert professionals supported by our South West accelerator hub and dynamic digital platforms such as our online learning community hub, Business Builder, and our mobile business bank account, Mettle.

“We also want to help more women launch their own businesses and companies become greener, which is why we are working with organisations such as Black South West Network and the Bristol Green Capital Partnership. We know that the best performing businesses are greener and more tech-savvy, so we want to empower more South West businesses in this way. That is why as part of our accelerator programme there are specific opportunities for sustainable and fintech businesses.

“Supporting enterprise is a huge part of our responsibility as a bank and why we have committed to helping 35,000 UK entrepreneurs through our enterprise programmes in 2021. A big part of this activity will take place in the South West, where we already support 88,000 businesses. The talent here is diverse and exciting and it’s our job to help entrepreneurs and SMEs exceed their potential.”

Applications are now open for NatWest’s entrepreneur accelerator programme. The closing date is June 11. Interested businesses can find out more and apply for a place by visiting business.natwest.com/business/business-services/entrepreneur-accelerator.html